(SOUNDBITE OF ARTURO O'FARRILL'S "DREAMING IN LIONS: DREAMING IN LIONS")
FELIX CONTRERAS, HOST:
From NPR Music, this is ALT.LATINO. I'm Felix Contreras. Where did the time go? I mean, it feels like just a few weeks ago, I had gathered some fellow Latinx music journalists to talk about our midyear favorites. And now I'm about to lay a fall new music preview on you as we close in on the last three months of the year. Time marches on and so does the music. So let's get started. I have a way cool mix of music for you from the Colombian avant-garde to electronic yumminess, to some great rock and Spanish, a bit of Brazilian music and even an appearance by the funkmaster himself, George Clinton. Have I got your attention? We'll get to all of that and more. But first, we're listening to Grammy winner and jazz man Arturo O’Farrill with a track from his upcoming album on Blue Note Records. The album is called "...Dreaming In Lions..." And this is the title track.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARTURO O'FARRILL'S "DREAMING IN LIONS: DREAMING IN LIONS")
CONTRERAS: OK. We're doing old-school radio crossfades this week, nonstop music as we move onto another ALT.LATINO fave. This is new music from the Meridian Brothers and Conjunto Media Luna, checking in from Bogota. I love the fact that the Meridian Brothers is just musician and producer Eblis Álvarez. And Conjunto Media Luna is just vocalist and songwriter Iván Medellín. Whatever they call themselves, they are definitely forward thinkers. Their new collaboration is a fascinating mix of vallenato, cumbia, electronic and accordions. This is called "La Secta."
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LA SECTA")
MERIDIAN BROTHERS AND CONJUNTO MEDIA LUNA: (Singing) Que lo piden como pocos. Se come sus dorilocos, que le brindan la energía. Mi amigo El Diomedista, no quiere desfallecer. Comprendiendo su canción, la de Cristina Isabel, que en la fiesta ponen salsa, el amigo se consterna. Empieza a buscar pelea con la gente de la fiesta. Todo va la para la secta. Todo va para la secta. En la secta Diomedista, todo va para la secta. Convenciendo el auditorio, todo va para la secta. O se duela en pelea, todo va para la secta. Todo va para la secta. Ya se acaba esta fiesta, en derrota dolorosa. Pero en la ciencia Diomedista, esta no es una derrota. Experiencia de la vida, este dogma muy bonito. Y no más colonialismo, dice mi amigo sombrío. Todo va para la secta. Todo va para la secta. Es la ciencia Diomedista. Todo va para la secta, que predica un gran artista. Todo va para la secta. Es la ciencia Diomedista. Todo va para la secta. Todo va para la secta. Todo va para la secta.
CONTRERAS: Oh, man. I really dig this next band. Dos Santos is a Chicago-based band that has evolved from what I used to call a cumbia jam band into a very focused group of musical explorers led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and college professor Alex Chávez. This track is called "A Shot In The Dark" from the forthcoming album "City Of Mirrors," available October 8. Check it out.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "A SHOT IN THE DARK")
DOS SANTOS: (Singing) Una noche muy serena, al mirar las estrellitas, yo quisiera una azucena, córtala con tus manitas, para disfrutar mi pena quitándole las hojitas. Soñé que te iba a besar, pero tú desapareces. Al tiempo de despertar, tuve que dormir dos veces. Tuve que dormir dos veces para volverte a soñar. Flores de colores sueño. Hojarasca verde veo, cielo azul, el sol y viento, piel canela y ojos negros. Una noche muy serena, al mirar las estrellitas. Una noche muy serena, al mirar las estrellitas. Una noche muy serena, al mirar las estrellitas.
CONTRERAS: You are listening to ALT.LATINO's fall new music preview. And just so we're all caught up, some of these albums are already out. And if they're not, I will announce their release date, like this track. It's called "Fake Blood." It's by ÌFÉ, a band that recasts the past into the future. Bandleader Otura Mun is now located in New Orleans after many years in Puerto Rico. And I understand their new album plans may have been delayed a bit by Hurricane Ida. In any case, he's delivered this sneak preview. Again, this is called "Fake Blood" from ÌFÉ.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "FAKE BLOOD")
ÌFÉ: (Singing) Fake fives, fake tens, fake Founding Fathers, fake now, fake then, fake bills, fake change, fake cents, fake politicians, fake pounds, fake pence, as the country stares, fake conversation, fake table, fake chairs, fake hopes, fake prayers, fake indecision, fake talk, fake cares, fake diamonds, fake pearls - the system wants to gaslight the whole damn world. "Little Lies" and "Stranger Things," "Treme," "Coco," "Tangerine," Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, "Social Network," "La La Land," Sunday service, Jackie Chan, "Lying King" and "Rocketman," Gucci, Prada, Maybelline, Daddy Yankee, crystalline, corporate culture, Elohim, "Party Down," DiCaprio, "Gravity," "Incredibles," "Brooklyn," "Never Let Me Go." ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí?
(Singing) Fake blonds, fake ease, fake freedom fighters, fake shots, fake deeds, fake wants, fake needs, fake moral compass, fake gods, fake creeds, fake gear, fake guns, fake slugs, fake family values, fake laughs, fake hugs, fake smiles, fake cops, fake thugs, fake mental illness, fake cures, fake drugs, fake tears, fake blood, fake climate action, fake peace, fake love - as the system implodes, if you want to hang on, we have got to let go. "Little Lies" and "Stranger Things," "Treme," "Coco," "Tangerine," Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, "Social Network," "La La Land," Sunday service, Jackie Chan, "Lying King" and "Rocketman," Gucci, Prada, Maybelline, Daddy Yankee, crystalline, corporate culture, Elohim, "Party Down," DiCaprio, "Gravity," "Incredibles," "Brooklyn," "Never Let Me Go." ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí?
ROBBY THE LORD: (Singing in non-English language).
ÌFÉ: (Singing) "Little Lies" and "Stranger Things," "Treme," "Coco," "Tangerine," Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, "Social Network," "La La Land," Sunday service, Jackie Chan, "Lying King" and "Rocketman," Gucci, Prada, Maybelline, Daddy Yankee, crystalline, corporate culture, Elohim, "Party Down," DiCaprio, "Gravity," "Incredibles," "Brooklyn," "Never Let Me Go." ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí? ¿Qué es lo que pasa aquí?
ROBBY THE LORD: (Singing in non-English language).
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "FUNK ASPIRIN")
CIMAFUNK AND GEORGE CLINTON: (Singing) Funky, (vocalizing) funky, then I want to funk you up. Funky.
CONTRERAS: I bet you thought I was kidding when I said we'd have some new music from George Clinton. The mastermind behind the mothership of Parliament-Funkadelic is featured on the new track from Afro-Cuban groove master Cimafunk. He has an amazing new record coming out next month. It's a major step forward for another ALT.LATINO favorite. This track is called "Funk Aspirin."
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "FUNK ASPIRIN")
CIMAFUNK AND CLINTON: (Singing) Andas toda envuelta en la película. Well, all right. Te noto tensa. Salte ya de la novela y pon el cuerpo bajo presión. Deja que el boom del beat se cuele y te revuelque y te ponga sin vergüenza. Esa actitud no te conviene. Tanta finura te da dolores de cabeza. Ven que la candela es aquí desde temprano cumbakin. Todos los días - if you're in the house - tu medicina yo a ti te quiero. You're going to be shaking it. Tú eres la mía. Tú lo que llevas es funky para que quites el estrés. No te preocupes si te da pica, pica, pica. He want to talk, too. Es que lo traje sazonado, sazonado. Toma tu aspirina con funky para que te sueltes toda. We have to get in that booty. Bend over. Funky, funky - I feel sorry for the dance floor.
(Singing) Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Make a joyful noise. What is a booty? And how will I know if I'm shaking it? No te desesperes, Tita. Yo te recojo ahorita. Talk to him, brother. Vamos a ripiarnos con funky en la disco. Y tú veras que todo lo malo se te quita. Tira tu kung fu y verás que el perreo es bueno para tu salud. Sacude sin piedad. Dale, que esa es la actitud. Que eso es lo bueno que tú tienes. Tú calientas cuando te conviene. A ti te conozco de hace rato. A mí tú no me engañas. Lo de maldita se te nota. A ti te alimentaron con guarapo. Tú tienes toda la maña y yo la proteína que te falta.
(Singing) Tú lo que llevas es funky - yeah - para que te quites el estrés. Ain't nothing but a party. No te preocupes si te da pica, pica, pica. Es que lo traje sazonado, sazonado. Toma tu aspirina con funky - eat some of this - para que te sueltes toda. Funky, funky. Y'all real fakers in the back, put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Put your hands up. Ain't nothing but a party, y'all. Yeah, brother. Saying freedom is free of the need to be free. Funky pa' tu fiesta. You are free to shake your rump tonight. Bend over. (Vocalizing) Dr. Funkeinstein.
(SOUNDBITE OF HELADO NEGRO SONG, "OUTSIDE THE OUTSIDE")
CONTRERAS: That was new music from Cimafunk and George Clinton, who still sounds nice and funky. As a reminder, all of the music on the show this week can be found on our weekly playlist. This semester, it's curated by former intern and now production guru, Reanna Cruz. Thank you, Reanna. Find them and subscribe to them on Spotify and Apple Music to keep up to date on new music, like this bit of texture and groovy electronic yumminess by Helado Negro, who always has a home here on ALT.LATINO. This is called "Outside The Outside" from the album "Far In." And it's going to be released on October 22.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "OUTSIDE THE OUTSIDE")
HELADO NEGRO: (Singing) They were mine, changed my life. I forgot to show you why 'cause my world only opens when your world comes in. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. There we are, up all night - terrified, kissing you twice. Loyal freaks, oh long time - 'cause you wait to lose your mind. They were mine, changed my life. I forgot to show you why 'cause my world only opens when your world comes in. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside. Outside the outside.
CONTRERAS: If you don't know Alejandro Escovedo, you should. He defies category, but if I had to, I'd attach rock to his name, right? A few years ago, he released an album called "The Crossing," and it was a set of songs about a pair of immigrants searching for the heart of rock and roll in America. He's rerecorded all the lyrics into Spanish, and the record rocks even harder. The album is out now. It's called "La Cruzada," and this is the title track. Alejandro, great job, bro.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "LA CRUZADA")
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO: (Singing) Han cambiado, todas las cosas hermosas quebraron, los discos y los fonógrafos. Si pudiera desear un deseo, nunca nos habríamos metido en esto. Sabíamos en lo que nos estábamos metiendo, ¿no? Volveríamos el tiempo atrás, devolver los sueños que perdimos para hacer la cruzada. El precio de la vida es algo. Valió la sangre y el sacrificio. No lo creo. Perdí a mi amigo por el camino. Perdí mi inocencia ante el ICE. Encontramos a América en estilo Punk Rock. La historia no tiene fin. Si los tiempos han cambiado, las cosas hermosas se han llevado. No recuerdo si las fotografiamos. Las oraciones nunca duran. No las gastes en el pasado. Todos nos convertimos en historia en la cruzada. Mientras me acuesto debajo de las estrellas de Texas, yo pienso sobre las migas de pan que dejé atrás, esperando que las encuentres. Con cada paso voy más allá. Con cada respiro voy más profundo, mientras me acuesto debajo de las estrellas.
CONTRERAS: Great rock and roll from Alejandro Escovedo. And you know what else rocks? Cuban big-band music.
(SOUNDBITE OF ORQUESTA AKOKÁN SONG, "EL INFLADOR")
CONTRERAS: This is new music from Akokán. The new album is called "16 Rayos." It's on Daptone Records. This is called "El Inflador."
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "EL INFLADOR")
ORQUESTA AKOKÁN: (Singing) Sigue creyéndote el uno. Sigue inflando, inflador, que cuando te coja la caliente, te veré pidiendo perdón. Sigue creyéndote el uno. Sigue inflando, inflador, que cuando te coja la caliente, te veré pidiendo perdón. No inflen más el globo, que un día se te va a explotar. Y cuando caigas de allá arriba, más te dolerá. Sigue creyéndote el uno. Sigue que tú vas a ver que de inflar, inflar, inflar, inflar, lo vas a reventar. Tranquilo, hijo, velo con calma. Si tú no eres el uno, ni tampoco eres el dos. Vete a inflar en otra parte, con otro que te crea porque yo sí te conozco bien. Sé quien eres tú. Yo lo sé muy bien. No infles más conmigo, no. Vete por favor. Sigue creyéndote el uno. Sigue inflando, inflador, que cuando te coja la caliente, te veré pidiendo perdón. Cuando te coja la caliente, cuando te coja la caliente, tú vas a ver qué va a pasar cuando te coja la caliente. Ay, tú vas a ver que es verdad cuando te coja la caliente. Tu globito se te va a reventar cuando te coja la caliente, cuando yo entre con mi timbal diferente, cuando te coja la caliente. Vaya, Micaino, rompe el cuero. Contigo yo voy a acabar, cuando te coja la caliente. Yo sé que lo tuyo es mentira. Ay ¿qué va a decir la gente? Cuando te coja la caliente. Vas a llorar, vas a llorar cuando te coja la caliente, cuando te coja la caliente. Sigue creyéndote el uno. Sigue inflando, inflador, que cuando te coja la caliente, te veré pidiendo perdón.
CONTRERAS: OK, time to lower our heart rates as we finish off this new fall music extravaganza. This is a great Brazilian vocalist who goes by the name Liniker. I saw her at South By Southwest a few years ago at a gig that locked in my forever fandom. This track is called "Clau." It's from an album called "Indigo Borboleta Anil." And reminder - all of this music is on our weekly new music playlist on Spotify and Apple Music. And I'll also include a list of the artists and the songs on our website at npr.org/altlatino so you can follow along at home. You have been listening to ALT.LATINO from NPR Music. I'm Felix Contreras. As always, thank you so much for listening. And remember - vax up. Keep your distance. And please, please, please be safe out there, fam.
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