Shadows of Perception

Currently based in Australia, Aracan originally hail from Colombia. Guitarist and producer Carlos Arango previously played with a 15-piece cumbia orchestra called Cumbiamuffin. Now, he has formed a duo with clarinettist Sebastian Cañas and released their debut album. Self-described as “downtempo electro latino”, this is actually a gloriously uplifting and energising collection of tunes. The duo are joined by an international cast of musicians, bringing traditional South American and Spanish instruments to the party, from Venezuelan harp to Andean flute and charango (ukulele-like guitar), zampoña panpipes and flamenco guitar. The resulting musical fusion is enchanting; who’d have thought that panpipes would work with electro trance, but they do here, seamlessly. From the opening track ‘Giara’, melding dreamy synth with jaunty clarinet and resonant steel drums, to the sensuous, sinuous cumbia, ‘Puerto de Oro’ and the soaring harp of ‘Diez Dias’. This is music to warm up wintry days and energise party nights; an impressive debut indeed.