Ecuatoriana – El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga 1969-1981

Another sparkling release from Analog Africa's rich goldmine, this time centring on one of the great 70s pioneers of Andean cumbia, Polibio Mayorga. From 1969 to 1973, Mayorga was in one of Ecuador's most popular bands, Los Locos del Ritmo. In 1974 he became musical director for the Fabrica de Discos label, arranging and composing for a range of artists. This compilation covers both Mayorga's solo and collaborative works from the period. The mix of nascent electronica with traditional Andean sounds and rhythms is as delightful as you would expect, with cuts such as ‘Muevase Vecina’ displaying an exquisite balance between the twin facets of Mayorga's taste. Juggling the old and the new is no doubt challenging, yet throughout each of these 16 tracks the composer hits a sweet spot, with neither side overpowering the other. ‘Mi Paisa’ rattles and curves with old world depth underpinning burbling synth explorations. ‘Bomba de Pobres’ sways and swings over eccentric keyboards. To listen to this album is to hear the sound of music evolving. Endlessly fascinating Andean electronic grooves.