Coba Coba

by Novalima

Overview

Novalima's second album, 2006's Afro, was such a stunner that it was difficult to imagine how the Afro-Peruvian modernists would surpass it. And, truth be told, they haven't. Where its predecessor was rich with golden melodies, irresistible beats, and seductive vocals, Coba Coba offers fewer sparks and moments of distinction. That's not to suggest it isn't a worthy album, only that its more minimalist, harder-edged production and less global-minded reach allow for fewer sonic surprises. As before, Novalima walk through genre walls as if they weren't there, deftly melding traditional Peruvian rhythms with more familiar Latin elements, state-of-the-art electronica, and floor-shaking dance grooves. There are new twists here, including reggae/dub, Cuban-inspired percussion, hip-hop, and funk, as well as nods to mainstream Western pop, some of it perhaps initiated by the new members who now augment the original quartet. Special guests from as far afield as New Zealand, Spain, and the U.K. also bring welcomed coloring to the proceedings. Were it just about rhythms and grooves, Coba Coba would be as successful as Afro, but vocally it's substantially less inspired. Female singer Milagros Guerrero remains a charming and captivating frontperson, lighting up tunes such as "Libertad," "Ruperta/Puede Ser," and "Camote," but there's not nearly enough of her here, and when male vocalist Juan Medrano-Cotito takes over the mike, the flame noticeably dies down. ~ Jeff Tamarkin

Product Details

Release Date:	01/13/2009
Label:	CUMBANCHA
UPC:	0890846001091

Tracks

1. Concheperla
2. Libert¿¿
3. Se Me Van
4. Ruperta/Puede Ser
5. Africa Land¿¿
6. Coba Guarango
7. Camote
8. Mujer Ajena
9. Tumbala
10. Kuman¿¿
11. Yo Voy
12. Bolero

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Novalima   Primary Artist
Chris Franck   Shaker,Various Instruments,Guitar
Nina Miranda   Vocals
Mark de Clive-Lowe   Synthesizer,Guest Artist
Gecko Turner   Vocals,Guest Artist
Toni Economides   Keyboards,Synthesizer,Guest Artist
Grimaldo Del Solar   Guitar,Keyboards
Gabriel Perez Cruz   Double Bass,Guest Artist
Juan Medrano Cotito   Cajon,Drums,Vocals
Fernando Flores   Trombone,Guest Artist
Lucia Vivanco   Viola,Guest Artist
Constantino Alvarez   Hi Hat,Cowbell,Timbales

Technical Credits

Simon Lee   Remixing
Chris Franck   Composer,Remixing,Programming
Robin Lee   Remixing
Nicomedes Santa Cruz   Composer
Ramon Perez Jimenez   Composer
Gecko Turner   Composer
Toni Economides   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Programming,Audio Engineer,Beat Programming
Tom Coyne   Mastering
A. Rosado   Composer,Composer,Adaptation
C. Soto   Composer
Grimaldo Del Solar   Composer,Photography,Beat Programming
J. M. Cotito   Composer
Rafael Morales   Composer
Juan Medrano Cotito   Composer
Paul "Seiji" Dolby   Composer
Jacob Edgar   Introduction,Song Descriptions
Traditional   Composer