LA MAMBANEGRA Vinyl & CDs

Review: La Mambanegra was founded by saxophonist Jacobo Velez in Cali, the world capital of salsa on the Pacific coast of Colombia. According to Salvador de Bahia, Cali is the city with the most African descendants. This strong Afro influence is clearly heard in the songs of the 15-member orchestra. El Callegueso y su Mala MaNa combines traditional salsa from the streets of New York City during the seventies with elements of Jamaican, Cuban and Colombian music, as well as funk and current hip-hop influences. Velez raised the genre "break salsa" for his simmering brew. It is presented by some of the most accomplished musicians in Colombia, including the living Latin jazz legend Eddy Martinez and the salsa band Niche, and stretches over ten, roller-coaster-like songs, with stories from the Colombian everyday life on the family history of the band founder. "El Callegueso, was the godfather of the album, but it is only when it comes to love, for example in the piece "Cantare para vos" or "El Blues de Yemanja", that is the tribute to one Ocean goddess.