Atlantico, an exuberant 9-piece Latin-dance ensemble, are probably Britain’s leading exponents of Cumbia, the rootsy music most closely associated with Colombia. Often overlooked in favour of its more commercial cousin Salsa, Cumbia is a typically heady Latin mixture born of Spanish settlers, African slaves and indigenous South-Americans. The music features a solidly grounded yet very hot rhythm with airy syncopations in the melody. The name Atlantico comes from Colombia’s North-Eastern, (Atlantic) coastal province that spawned the exciting styles of “Musica Tropical”.
Photo by Rob Bartholomew.
Paste: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-5wqbA2jNc - for Larmer Tree video
All text © Rob Bartholomew. |
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Featuring sensational Colombian vocalist Antonio Porras, who has played with some of Bogotá’s leading bands, Atlantico fuse Latin American and World-Music specialists with jazz and rock musicians to give the music a real kick.
The dynamic and versatile line-up, united by a love of Colombian tropical rhythms, includes three Latin percussionists and four, hot, horn players, together with accordion, bass and piano.
As an added bonus, almost every band-member sings the “Coro” backing vocals essential to Latin-American music, producing a veritable vocal wall-of-sound.
N.b. Photo by Annette Hobbs.
All text © Rob Bartholomew. |
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Atlantico present “Musica Tropical” at its very steamiest and most contagious.
An unusual and exciting alternative to two-a-penny salsa bands, you just won't be able to sit still when this band is playing. Whether they are locked into the insistent back-beat of a Cumbia with its Afro/European roots, galloping through the loping rhythm of a Porro from the cattle-ranching grasslands, or throwing in some Mambo, Merengue and Colombia’s own style of Salsa for good measure, you will have to get up and move to the joyful rhythm.
Saxy, sexy, sassy and brassy, this is above all music for dancing. As sensuous, swaying and spirited as a sultry Colombian night.
Put on your dancing shoes and catch this infectious ensemble now.
No dance lessons are needed.
N.b. Photo by Geordie Barrie / Steve Shrimpton.
All text © Rob Bartholomew. |
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