El Palmas Music レコード& CD

Review: Some music just instantly and inescapably transports you to another world and that is 100% the case with Jesus Gomez y su Grupo's self titled long player. It has been impossible to find over the years and is a true musical treasure that blazed a trail few have been able to follow. Jesus Gomez was only 17 when this was recorded and it already shows a great mastery of many different Latin musical styles - it is an energetic rhythmic declaration coloured by Guaguanco, Bolero, Descarga, Rumba, and even Guaracha as well as salsa. The intertwining rhythms and heartfelt vocals are perfectly layered up to beautiful effect here by the young Venezuelan talent.

Review: La Jungla is a fresh project charting many fusions of Latin music and electronica. Blending cumbia, zouk salsa and reggae with more digitally-oriented styles from dembow to dub, this is a remarkably curious EP on the fronts of both experimentation and locale. Endlessly groovy but equally odd, the likes of 'Salto Palante' hear rap-sung vocals about spirituality and jubilance, exclaimed against the backdrop of acid bass plods and controlled instrumental cacophony.