Preview: Bosq on fire with feel-good fusion flavours

The Medellin-based Bostonian collaborates with an ensemble cast to present four dance-floor cuts

Written by Rocco Universal.

DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist Bosq continues his quest to fuse dynamic world sounds by collaborating with skilled musicians from seemingly disparate sonic landscapes. Once again, the result is a fully legitimate explosion of universal rhythm and melody.

In this, the third instalment on his own Bacalao label, the Medellin-based Bostonian collaborates with an ensemble cast of musicians to present four dance-floor cuts that fuse Afro-Latin vibrations from Colombia and West Africa with US disco, jazz, and funk flavours.

Featuring on two of the tracks is NYC-based Beninese vocalist & guitarist Kaleta. During his early years in Benin, Kaleta was raised on the heavy sounds of Beninese funk pioneers Orchestra PolyRhythmo before his musical journey saw him cross the border to Nigeria, where he played in a number seminal bands including Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80. On our pick, ‘Wake Up’, Kaleta’s powerful call and response vocal soars over a pulsing disco groove. Rolling bass, horns, guitars and synths all get their moment to shine in the well-spaced arrangement as heavy percussion drives the rhythm. The music has a timeless quality — aside from the subtly contemporary production, it would be completely justifiable to suppose this recording had been remastered from long lost tapes from golden-era Afro-disco.

In the third instalment on his own Bacalao label, the Medellin-based Bostonian collaborates with an ensemble cast of musicians to present four dance-floor cuts that fuse Afro-Latin vibrations from Colombia and West Africa with US disco, jazz, and funk flavours. Featuring on two of the tracks is NYC based Beninese vocalist & guitarist Kaleta. During his early years in Benin, Kaleta was raised on the heavy sounds of Beninese funk pioneers Orchestra PolyRhythmo, before eventually crossing the border to Nigeria where he played in a number seminal bands — not least Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80. On our pick, ‘Wake Up’. Kaleta’s powerful call and response vocal soars over a pulsing disco groove. Rolling bass, horns, guitars and synths all get their moment to shine in the well-spaced arrangement as heavy percussion drives the rhythm. The music has a timeless quality — aside from the subtly contemporary production, it would be completely justifiable to suppose this recording had been remastered from long lost tapes from golden-era Afro-disco. Full review at www.thecosmictiger.com

Elsewhere on the EP, Afro-Latin exploration ‘Omo Iya’ again features Kaleta, who here muses on how West Africans and Afro Colombians are “one, from the same mother”. The shuffling rhythm of ’Mambue’ sees Son Palenque leader and vocalist Justo Valdez join forces with the Jazz infused horn and flute layers of multi-instrumentalist Evan Laflamme. The heavy rhythm is a skilful blend of live percussion and drum machines, adding further to the fusionist aspect of the record. Completing the collection is ‘El Carriquí’. Named after the brightly coloured birds that visit the windows of Bosq’s countryside studio, the track is a frantic marimba led collage of Colombian Pacific coast styles and classic Funk vibrancy.

Bosq ‘Wake Up’ is due out April 24 on Bacalao. You can listen and buy it here

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