By Carlos Rosales @flyingbananas
Editor's note: Here's another Latin set, this time with Carlos Rosales, from Flying Bananas, one of the most entertaining bands on the Colombian rock scene. Here they bring us their favorite songs from the continent, and the explanation with their characteristic humor:
Okay, so I've been tasked with making a playlist of my 10 favorite songs in Latin America, with the following conditions:
- That the songs are on Spotify.
- That they be made in Latin America.
I would add:
- Having it in one of my playlists on this wonderful tool.
- Not classic ones (IKV, CHEP, Cafe Tacuba, etc.) because that would be very boring.
So:
Elkin Robinson – Come 'Round: The song that It automatically transports me to a paradise island in the Caribbean, Sunsets that paint the clouds a dazzling red-violet, an endless sea with seven different shades of blue, a classic and always delicious Rondón, a 'Biguis' motorbike to circle this seahorse-shaped island while my beautiful RastaGirl hugs me. That's what I feel when I hear this song… Even if you're in Bogotá, 6:00 am, it's raining like the sky hates you with all its might, the cold seeps in and makes your bones ache, the street is chaos and you don't have the damn courage to leave the house. That is the power of Mr. Elkin Robinson, the power of teleportation.
Of infinite musical richness, accompanied by a brutal combo;
-What about the way this gentleman (a musical legend in San Andrés and Providencia) doubles Mr. Elkin's voices up there using octaves or thirds? …ahhh?-
– Pure flavor mahhhh bredahhhh!
Highly recommended, especially if you want to stop listening to the same old stuff and open your ears to something truly new. Or rather, something unknown to someone who grew up going to Rock al Parque.
Creole – There Is No Love in SP: Ahhhh! Spotify and its beautiful algorithm for profiling one's tastes. Bullseye! Slow, tasty, groovy tempo. Jazzy keyboards with a perfect sound selection, a killer voice, violins and guitar feedback to add some drama, and delay at the end of the vocal phrases in true dub style. and a lyric that could have been perfectly created in Bogotá:
“There is no love in SP / There is no love in SP
The bars are full of empty souls
Gain vibrates, vaidad excites
Devolva minha vida e morra
Drowning in its own sea of happiness
Aqui ninguém vai pro céu”
Criolo is an incredible Brazilian musician, categorized as a "rapper" but for me he is much more than that. I highly recommend listening to their entire discography. Other recommended topics: Subirusdoistiozin, Grajauex, Bogotá.
Lianna– Inspiration: She, the undisputed queen of my musical heart in Colombia and Latin America. The one who made my chest swell with pride and blew my mind when I heard her and learned that such high-quality music was made in the very place where I grew up. For me, she's the local version of Miss Lauryn Hill... but much sexier and with lyrics closer to my reality. She made a song that I totally identify with and portrays the love/hate relationship one feels every day when making music in these parts:
«"Even if it's not how I expect and I don't have money
I still appreciate what you give me
And I dream of the melody that gives me another day.
Just so I can continue
Music is what inspires me.
I want to experience it and breathe its air
Even if it's not as I expect
All I want is to see you with your hands up.”
Honest lyrics, over a top-notch beat, With the best possible voice and a very well-done feature (Kid Cublicle), this song is one of my favorites.
Note: When Lianna performs her Mr. Kid Cubicle part live, it's AMAZING! I highly recommend going to see, hear, and enjoy Miss Lianna live. <3
Carlos Elliot Jr. & The Cornlickers – Got this Feeling: A perfectly crafted song in every sense. Great from start to finish. With those groove-filled guitar licks. Perfect for sitting back, relaxing, and listening with the best vibes in the world. I love the vocal harmonies in the chorus and their corresponding octaves. And the overall feel of the whole song; They don't rush anything, everything in its own time and proportion. Mr. Carlos Elliot Jr., for me, is living proof of the grit and drive we should all have. Believing that it is possible to play with legendary musicians, on their own turf, and on equal terms, without fear, just going for it! Quite a lesson for some local musicians who only worry about how much the rehearsal will cost or if they'll get paid for the next gig.
Easy Easy – False Teeth Wow! The band that blew my mind the most at Rock al Parque last year. Man, That voice has such a groove! I was blown away by the simplicity of the song and the way each sound is meticulously added to build its structure. It starts with just guitar and vocals, then after a while, some claps to establish the beat. A delay at the end of the chorus. A kick drum to build the song and give it intensity. After a bit, a hi-hat and a keyboard mimicking violins add tension. And then they unleash the whole song, which gradually intensifies, doubling vocals, introducing more delays, a snare drum, backing vocals, ambient sounds, and so on. Holy shit, what a great song!
The Tits – Daddy, where's the funk (live)? Yeah, I know I said no classics. But I think this particular track is much better than the album version because it has some seriously awesome arrangements. It's a song that absolutely transports you. It takes you to a better place; you close your eyes and it lifts you up. The intro is incredible (very spacey), the horns throughout the song are fantastic, and Mr. CeeFunk's guitar playing is absolutely masterful, even while he sings (even on the same line). It's a shame about Tea Time... Let's wait and see how the new band does.
Amanitas – Venture : The coolest and most groovy girls I met during our time with the Flying Bananas in Chile. I love that bassline! I love the drummer's playing and singing. I love the whole band's flow. I love them. Pure groove.
Velandia and the tigress – Ballad : Anything to add about this guy? Nothing. A tough guy, an artist at his absolute best. Period. If you don't know him, you should listen to his entire discography; you can't go wrong. "The ballad this CD needed." Or rather, Playlist. The lyrics, vocals, guitars, and arrangements that give the track its atmosphere make it exquisite.
4 heads – Mental Training: My brothers. My friends. Ma' bradas. The very own paisas, full of groove. If you haven't heard them, it's time to run and listen to them. They are groove, they are funk, they are jazz. I love that this song has a super jazzy, delicious chorus. The payroll couldn't be better, 3 super fresh MCs with their rhymes, the great Krbass on the bass (He's a fucking legend!), Camila the drummer reminds me of a phrase I was reading the other day:
«"The 'Super Musician' is not the one who regurgitates and vomits a million notes at full speed. The Super Musician is the one who can do it and does it only when the music requires it (which is actually very rare). The Super Musician serves the music, not the other way around!".
Mr. Mencho, one of the best guitarists I've ever shared time with, played with, and made music with—pure good vibes and an even better guitarist! As I said, A really cool band that deserves to be heard all over the world ome, OME, OMEEEE!
Flying Bananas – The Devil's Lesson: When someone falls, they get up, dust themselves off, look back, and make a song about it to express their feelings and what they learned from that fall; That's when he creates a work of art. And perhaps that's why I like this song so much; lyrics that portray life itself, and its sorrows. A jazzy keyboard with the simplicity, harmony, and groove that a song of this speed deserves. The simplest bassline I've ever recorded (and the most powerful, I think). I love how Javi doubled his vocals in the chorus. It's simply my favorite song by my band, Flying Bananas.
