Catleya: Bogotá Sessions

French-Argentinian producer Krak in Dub recorded this album in Bogotá with an eclectic pool of Colombian talent, reflected in the various moods here on in. It all begins with ‘La Marimba del Monte’, a reminder that digital basslines and marimba go together remarkably well, especially when aided by the vocals of Pacific Coast artists Absalon and Afropacifico. On ‘Piel de Piedra’ and ‘La Gaita de Las Aves’ we get a taste of Colombia’s brass bands, with clarinet and gaita (flute) respectively leading the effervescence stakes. Darker material arrives with Afro-Colombian laments like the moody ‘Negra Soy’ and driving ‘Mariposafro’. Yet, even in these more melancholic moments, it’s uplifting stuff, the bass lending each song swagger, even when sonically there are many moments that grate.

Krak in Dub comes from a background making jungle and dub and there are moments of electronic excess throughout, video game effects chirping unnecessarily, and oscillators slowly taking you down to that notorious dance music drop. All in all though, this is head-noddingly good, with a frivolity that perhaps we all could do with right now.