Supernatural love

"The beats are still there, and as insistent as ever, but they are now provided by hand drums, shakers and tambourines, matched by a largely acoustic lineup that includes kalimba and flutes. There are a few electronic and dub effects added in, but for the most part this is a no-nonsense set that mixes slinky, cheerful melodies against that infectious percussion. The musical influences range from cumbia to gospel and soca, and songs such as On the Line or Come See Us Play are masterful examples of the band's new sunny simplicity".

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"The Anglo-Colombian troupe led by Richard Blair have been pioneers of the electro-Latin sound, mixing beats with Colombia's loping, accordion-led cumbia. Here, Sidestepper take a contrary turn with an essentially acoustic set shot through with unobtrusive electronica and led by melodic female vocals. There are hand drums, shakers, flutes, call-and-response chants, and a palpable atmosphere of Bogotá's historic quarter where it was cut ... It's a joyous affair ... Arch modernist goes organic".

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"The beating heart of Afro-Colombia: Colombia's African musical traditions are often overlooked both at home and internationally. The electro-cumbia pioneers Sidestepper (...) use their latest album to distil them down to crisp vocal lines, taut guitar fingerwork and the earthy textures of hand drums and traditional shakers, sticks and flutes. Lead singer Erika "Eka" Muñoz sounds increasingly like Totó La Momposina: half shaman, half community leader, initiating call-and-response cycles that whirl loosely around the rhythms ... There's dub, funk, a trippy sound effect opening one track, a bluesy guitar closing another. But Africa is all over every song, adding edge and an exploratory shape. This is a very cool, well-crafted album of celebration and cultural reclamation".

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