Algo-Ritmo: Mexican Institute of Sound Hits 2004-2024

This compilation of 24 songs spans the two-decade career of Mexican Institute of Sound, aka Camilo Lara. Named as one of the 50 most influential people in Latin America by Spanish newspaper El País, Lara has become known as one of the region’s most prominent artists fusing traditional Latin sounds with the global world of electronic music.

Algo-Ritmo highlights his musical progression since 2004, from early home-recorded tracks like the hip-hop-influenced ‘El Micrófono’ and sampladelic ‘Mirando a las Muchachas’ to his more ambitious, later works, while always staying loyal to his own brand of Mexican electronica flair. Which he does with some serious range, from the mariachi-inspired ‘My America is Not Your America (feat Graham Coxon)’ to Mexican marimba anthem ‘Tipo Raro’ to the electronic cumbia ‘Stop! (feat Ceci Bastida)’ with sprinklings of punk, rap and ska throughout.

Through his production work, and increasingly with Mexican Institute of Sound, Lara has become a prolific collaborator, with La Perla, Gaby Moreno and Esteman all featuring here. He’s also been gaining a solid reputation for his film work, working closely with Disney on their sountrack for Coco, ensuring they represented Mexican music adequately. ‘Jalale’, his song for the soundtrack, represents that project.

From MIS anthems like ‘México’, ‘Es-Toy’ and ‘Cumbia’ through the smoother sounds of ‘Bolero’ and lesser-known album cuts like ‘Hiedra Venenosa’ that are well overdue another listen, there’s something for everyone here, whether die-hard fans or new to the Institute.