And the lists begin…
You know, whether it’s the list of gifts you still have to get, to a list of goals — that remain to be achieved or the ones for the new year — accomplishments, to-do’s, etc-the-list-goes-on, here I am on a Thursday night, while watching live videos of Briana Latrise on Instagram (because she’s #coolaf), with the television on (mute) in the background, the holiday tree lit, and in a minute I’ll probably turn the radio — because, duh, I love radio — and my mind’s fighting about the list I’m currently working on and it’s my favorite music of 2018.
2018 was so many things… elevated to an extreme. There was plenty of joy and plenty of chaos and everything in between.
It was splendor. It was dread. Everything felt like it was on super-hightened-mode. Throughout it all, music was my companion. Music is a form of therapy. It engages my thoughts, my feelings, my entire being, into this unexplainable euphoria. My mood willingly molds into the rhythms, the words, a beat, a particular — and usually very random — sound. It’s no wonder I’ve fallen for who I’ve fallen for in this year’s selections.
Let’s get to it. I really enjoyed these particular selections. These are albums, singles or EPS that required me to listen to them over and over again because over and over again it was an equally magical experience. I thank you, each of you, for creating these masterpieces. I’m just one tiny particle in this vast universe who’s foundation was moved by your sounds. THANK YOU.
There’s obviously so much more. If you’re down, keep posted to the page’s social media for all sorts of recommendations because they’re all dope, all unique to their story.
And if you’ve got something to share, send it my way. sandra at gozamos dot com #goodvibesonly
Cheers to your winter celebrations! Los quiero!
2018 FAVORITES (TOP 10)
10: DOLOR FOLKTRONICO — Mientele #darkmoombahton
These artists bring their individual style to create something brilliant, especially as a yin-yang-parallel-darkness-into-light kind of vibe. It’s super cool. Keep an eye out on this trio. They’ve got big ideas and making them happen one track at a time.
9: SLV — Piece of Mind #latalt
This Chicana is always creating something fresh with a message of chingonidad. Piece of Mind is a great source of empowerment for all. My favorite song off the album is “Barras de Oro.”
8: NANDO CHANG — Cholito Samurai #andeanhiphop
Cholito Samurai is on my list of favorites because he’s making music that’s quite unique to his story and it’s not only powerful in its lyricism but equally powerful with his beats and his mixture of sounds — whether using traditional Peruvian instruments or hip hop samples — the soundy is catchy and ultimately, somehow, relatable. His family owns a restaurant in Miami and Nando became involved by pursuing the craft of fish mongering. When his Dad watched over Nando as he learned to cut and prepare fish, he began to endearingly call him a cholito samurai because of the way he handled the knives.
One of my fave singles, Oro, talks about imperialism, the seeking of fortune, envy and the things stressing people out in order to keep up with everyone else. He delves into his roots, the society he grew up in, and traditions that continue.
7: LA CHAMBA — Somos #cumbiasurf #nuchicha #chichasurfpop
All I’ll say about this is that I got to this band’s page on Bandcamp. I clicked on a random song, it played, and next thing I know I’m buying the vinyl. It’s in my hands now and it’s marvelous. Chicha Angelina. Uff. La Chamba’s twangy cumbia is life.
6: NATALIA CLAVIER — Trans #electronic
What a delight! Clavier threw me off with this album, in a great way, because she comes at it with a warrior femininity that exposes a powerfully serene Kill Bill Novia attitude. Clavier’s always evoked goddess vibes, and she takes it a step further confirming her badassery.
Her track, Fenix, is an anthem to rising up, to not giving up, despite life’s inconveniences, y siempre con esperanza. Go listen. (Songs are in English and Spanish.)
5: Dos Santos — Logos #cumbiaroots #psychcumbia
They’re Chicago-based and produce an intriguing, engaging and magical manifestation of roots music.
4: Orquesta Akokan — Orquesta Akokan
This is the future of classic sounds from Cuba. From mambo to salsa, this big-band sounding orchestra exemplifies artists continuing the legacy of their country’s music. It’s lush magnificence.
3: LE BUTCHERETTES — struggle/STRUGGLE EP #rocknroll
This is grungy, gritty and psychedelic rock, blasting in your face as a revelation of things you’ve yet to discover. It slaps you awake as only Teri Gender Bender knows how. Stay tuned for my conversation with her in the upcoming edition of Contratiempo.
2: Los Poetas — Wam Bam (Single)
I simply adore everything they do and will always be in support mode of every track. This was their only release in 2018 and it puts a spotlight on some of the travesties and injustices going on in the world, in our societies, and they do it in a magnetic, poetic, hypnotic and danceable manner. The members are from El Salvador, Argentina, Chile and Panama, which makes for a delicious salsita with the most flavor.
1: Nova Materia — It Comes #electronic #chileanfrench #nuwave
Their sounds gets referred to as everything from avante garde electronic, to industrial punk, electronic dance and Franco Chilean post punk. Who cares. It’s beyond labels because it’s got so many layers of badassery. But yes, there’s industrial, electronica, dance, creepy sound interludes that Alice in Wonderland lead you to a B52s-pop beat. Industrial pop? It’s just so fresh. It goes down dark corridors.
Beyond that list is…
Nicola Cruz — Inversions (Single) / Quantic — Doombia (Single) / Rhymthic nu cumbia never sounded so good. / Making Movies with Las Cafeteras — Ritmo De Mi Pueblo (Single) #latinalternative / Lester Rey — Ni Santa (Single) / El Hijo de la Cumbia ftg Celso Pina and Alika — Ritmo Realidad (Single) / Residente & Nach — Rap Bruto (Single) /
Nina Dioz ftg Lido Pimienta and Ceci Bastida — Tambalea (Single)
This track’s got that flow that’s poppin’ everywhere but it’s downbeat enough to not jar your senses like is typical of that mainstreamtacky reggaeton vibe. Mid-track enters a delightful tropical sound brought by the ethereal Lido Pimienta. it all comes together like a mid-tempo dance floor dream. This song’s the perfect way to transition up or down. Then, ending it all on a a fresh, cool note and giving it that final fist in the air, is Ceci Bastida.
Plus…
Events/Fests: Residente at House of Blues + LatiNxt + Kumbiaholics + La Mesita — Charly — Yollocalli + Embrujadas + Oye Mujer + Backroom312 + Here Lies Man at Sleeping Village
There’s so much more. Let’s sit a spell and talk about it. Thank you to @Vocalo for letting me share this space every week.
Friends, cheers to a wonderful 2019.
