Cumbia Cumbia

This album invites the question: do we need to recycle the already recycled? The tip-top material here of ever-popular cumbia dance music celebrates the work of Antonio Lopez Fuentes, the visionary musician, arranger and producer for Colombia's Discos Fuentes’ (DF) label. From cumbia LPs of the 1980s to CDs of the 90s, most cumbia compilations were culled from DF: licensed by Mango/Island Records, World Circuit and latterly by the Rough Guides and Nascente. Latin DJs draw from these fountains because cumbia's catchy melodies, hip-swinging rhythms, and irresistible musical cocktail of guitars, loping bass, percussion and attractive story– telling texts have a long shelf-life. Today across Latin America cumbia is enjoying a revival, particularly within migrant communities where it sometimes morphs with newer genres, and in club scenes lead by innovative DJs who remix. Most recently intrepid tiny labels like Soundway and Chusma have compiled cutting-edge CDs bringing to our ears the sound of rarely heard vintage tracks and contemporary re-mixes of older material.

Now World Circuit are re-releasing the golden-age compilations (which they first released in the 90s), covering the period 1950 to 1988. Beautifully sequenced, they include many popular hit tunes. This is an unarguably classy product and a must for those who have not delved into cumbia before. The major difference is a new archive-style cover; and Sue Steward's succinct, hugely informative notes, which set the scene and give the lowdown on bands and musicians in attractive nonanorak style. The album is worth it for the notes alone.