Colombia has always been acknowledged as one of salsa's great creative hotbeds. But over the past decade or so, classic Colombian salsa has been overshadowed by new latino styles- reggaeton, bachata, hip hop, champeta and the rest...Which is where La-33, a 12-piece, classic salsa orchestra from Bogota, come in. Expect the soulful, rough-edged style of classic 70s Fania - Eddie Palmieri, Ruben Blades and Willie Colon are clear influences - but expect also to hear almost 100% new, self-composed material performed by a brilliant three-line vocal section against a rich two-trombone/trumpet/sax brass section.
The material covers politics and social issues as well as personal relationships, and the standard of composition is way above 99 per cent of the current competition. La-33's self-titled first album included a storming salsa-mambo version of the Pink Panther Theme, which could be heard on almost every quality salsa dancefloor through Europe for months last year, whilst 2008's sophomore set, 'Gozalo', includes 'El Robo', a soundtrack hit from the acclaimed 2007 Colombian movie 'Dog Eat Dog'.
Both albums are available from all good UK record retailers.
DJ is John Armstrong, whose major weekly
Radio 2 latin music show 'Viva Latino' airs late 2008.
Live: LA 33
Dj: John Armstrong
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