Virtual Crate Digging: Radio Fuego
Folks are always asking about what’s new and upcoming but, as shown by the vital and venerable culture of crate digging, looking backwards can also yield unexpected results and reveal hidden gems. And boy oh boy do we have some hidden gems. Let’s dig through our virtual bins of vinyl and see what we find.
Tastefully Prepared Latin Pop = Fuego
The other day I was on a music search that needed a Latin track with an extra dose of energy. After flipping my way through Latin Jazz (ACPM-007) and Los Sonidos De Mexico (OSPK-070), I found my way to Radio Fuego (OSPK-059) and it immediately yielded an unexpected bounty of tracks that had the exact feel I was looking for. With heavier beats than traditional Latin music and a few more touches of synth and fx here and there, Radio Fuego is predominantly populated with traditional instruments like trumpet, accordion, and loads of authentic Latin percussion. It’s this mixture that makes these tracks so unique, and it’s an album marinated to perfection.
Though it’s the last track on the album, “Afternoon Flirtation” stuck out as a favorite, not only because it fit the brief, but the “chorus” on this one has a simple melodic line that plays beautifully over soulful accordion chords.
On the literal other end of the spectrum, we have the opening track “Sunshine Shaker,” an adrenaline-fueled rhythmic wonderland that features a high flying trumpet and infectious programmed drums.
This album is fire (literally) and the next time you need a little Latin flair that takes a step or two past the traditional styles, start here.
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