By Fede Kempf @cityofsauces
Editor's note: One of the albums we celebrated most during 2016 was Saltamos al abismo, by the Argentinian band City of Willows. For that reason, we contacted their lead singer, Fede Kempff, to ask him to tell us his ten favorite Latin American songs. His list surprised us:
It's nine o'clock– Andres Calamaro
The album Brutal honesty Calamaro's album, I think it's the best Argentine rock album, I like it that much, and choosing It's nine o'clock It wasn't easy. The whole album accompanied my relationship with my wife when we started getting together; Calamaro was a great link…
Meeting on the musical river– Virus
Total Music I think that's what the music video program was called back in the eighties... that's where I stumbled upon it Meeting on the musical river. SSensuality, elegance, modernity, pop, good song, good voice, sound...wow...it was too much...
Fallacious Bolero– Velvety
During the MTV era, Los Aterciopelados appeared with that huge hit…how could anyone resist? »"I told you 'no more' and you laughed your ass off"?
Narrow-heartedness– The prisoners
Narrow-heartedness…the eighties were dying and I heard that song on the radio…It blew me away…it was like, powerful, romantic-tragic…I didn’t know Los Prisioneros. I gradually became aware of how significant they were in Chile.
Nothing– Zoe
I saw Zoé on YouTube by chance... I loved the song, with that long, drawn-out musical flourish at the end... and the video in the desert... the singer, Leon, dancing like a shaman... a really great band!
Without my devil– Babasónicos
At court, with the queen and her consort gifting colonies in India, they were celebrating, and at the height of their revelry, they invited me to whip some slaves…who could come up with something so brilliant??? Yes…Only Dargelos…it never ceases to amaze me how Babasónicos constantly reinvent themselves and continue to be a beacon to follow…
Huepaje– Bomba Estéreo
This is from the label!! Colombiaaa.. this song is amazing..how they fused modern pop and traditional Colombian cumbia. I love Bomba Estéreo!
Down to the root- Natalia Lafourcade
I only knew Natalia Lafourcade by name... when I heard this song, it moved me deeply... it has a folksy, heartfelt quality... I love this song.
Lake in the sky– Gustavo Cerati
Of course I really like Soda Stereo, but Cerati's solo work really gets to me, and Lake in the sky For me, it's Gustavo's crowning achievement as a composer...it's perfect!
Going to Damian's house–Quartet of Us
Finally, I left the Cuarteto de Nos, although it's worth clarifying that any order would work in this list. Going to Damian's house It's a kick in the head...nobody writes like Roberto, and on that album they forever improved the quartet's sound...I really like them and admire how they come up with such ingenious lyrics with so much information...each song opens the way to something new...