Sidestepper
– Supernatural Love (Real World Records)
LP
/ CD / DL
Out
Now
7.5
/ 10
Colombian
ensemble releases their new album.
One-time
studio engineer for Real World Records, Richard Blair has created a lovely
little thing with Sidestepper. The man
that visited Colombia in the 90s to work with Afro-Colombian folk legend Toto
La Momposina and enjoyed it so much that he stayed, has a varied musical
background. Via influences from
Metalheadz in London to 70s funk producers, from Miles Davies to James Brown,
he assembled Sidestepper in 1996 with a view to making wonderfully danceable
cumbia. And, he did.
Supernatural
Love marks a slight change in direction for the band. Recorded in the centre of Bogota, they have brought
in shakers, sticks and flutes together with hand drums to create a purely
organic feel. Sure, synthesizers are still
there and the odd subtle reverb roundabouts but the new album is one of live
feel.
Blair
has spotted the link between Salsa and drum n bass and has capitalised on it
with pure simplicity. Repetitive
basslines and looped melodies are the order of the day. The title track, Supernatural Love is a
wonderfully catchy affair with a hook that struggles to shake itself from your
head after only a single play seeing Andrea Echeverri step up and front a brave
mix of gospel, soul and Latin and is one of several highlights.
Tambourines
command centre stage on Lover in place of the hi-hat and Come See Us Play has a
has a whistle sound in the background which remains constant an addictive throughout.
La
Flor Y La Vox Parts 1 and 2 sees a minimal backing to some hypnotic voices and
percussion, and Hear The Rain Come maybe lends more to African influences with
a desert blues feel. Album closer
Celestial features near spoken vocals with a night-time feel sending the
listener into deep calm.
An
album of loving quality and made with the great outdoors in mind. The sound of Colombia can be a wonderful
thing.
Links
Real World Records
Sidestepper on Soundcloud
Sidestepper on Twitter
Sidestepper on Facebook
Published on Louder Than War 13/02/16 - here
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