Afro-Colombian Sound Modernizers (Vampisoul, 2014)
The compilation Afro-Colombian Sound Modernizers showcases some of the best material recorded by seminal Colombian band Son Palenque. Son Palenque was at the forefront of a new movement in the 1970s and 1980s that modernized Caribbean Afro-Colombian music.
Through radio and merchant sailors, Colombians in urban coastal areas were exposed to African and Afro-Caribbean music in past decades. This culture clash created an explosive mix that eventually led to the well-known champeta that is popular in many parts of coastal Colombia.
Son Palenque was formed after a picó, a musical block party, in the city of Cartagena. A group of friends went to the beaches of Marbella and had rumba descarga (jam session). One of them grabbed a beer can, the other one a stick. Justo Valdez sang delightful melodies and palenquera music developed by the sea. “That’s where Son Palenque was born,” recollects Justo with excitement and longing. Enrique Tejedor and Luciano Torres were the back-up singers, Justo’s brother Tomás Valdez played tambor alegre (a Caribbean Colombian drum used in traditional cumbia), and Pánfilo Valdez became the second lead vocalist.
In 1980, Son Palenque recorded their first single for the Fonobosa record label. Two years later they recorded an LP, together with Estefanía Caicedo. Later, the band recorded two albums for CBS: “La arepa asá” and “Los trotamundos del sabor.” These LPs were recorded at the Unisón studios in Barranquilla.
Afterwards, Son Palenque signed with Felito Records, based in Barranquilla, a label that produced some of the best psychedelic and Afro-roots music of the time. With Felito Records the group recorded “Ane Jue” and “African Erotic”. Guests included Michi Sarmiento on saxophone, Abelardo Carbonó on guitar and his brother Abe on bass. These two LPs were a breakthrough in the history of Afro-Colombian music. For the first time they introduced traditional palenquera music, chalupa, bullerengue, lumlalú and other traditional beats mixed with contemporary arrangements that featured bass, guitar and saxophone.
As the recording industry entered a severe crisis in the mid-1990s, Son Palenque was dropped from the label and Justo Valdez started recording songs as a solo artist for the emerging champeta criolla industry.
In 1999 Son Palenque recorded the song ‘Kumina’, along with guitarist Sekou Diabate “The Gold Fingers”, legendary leader of the band Bembeya Jazz (Guinea-Conakry) for Palenque Records. Later, Son Palenque “Ma Kamajan Ri Musika Ri Palengue” (Palenque Records), released in 2012.This marked the group’s rebirth.
Afro-Colombian Sound Modernizers is a ferociously powerful album with a brilliant mix of infectious coastal Colombian rhythms and modern music elements.
Buy Afro-Colombian Sound Modernizers
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
