Visit Malphino

The continuing globalisation of cumbia has seen it travel from Colombia's Caribbean coast to urban dance halls, stadium rock shows, Mexican sound systems and underground Argentinian clubs. Most recently, it's taken on the guise of a downtempo soundtrack-like neo-exotica which is popping up all over the place. The key is the beat and its constant movement. When it's heard slowed down, you instantly feel like you’re heading on a road trip. This is where Malphino's heads are at. Formed from a London-based collective who used to play Latin music and Italian film soundtracks at a night in Hackney, they conceived of an imaginary island called Malphino, upon which their infectious blend of dubby cumbia is ubiquitous. With a solid rhythm throughout, they tease listeners with jabs of accordion, guitar and organ, gently caressing and occasionally prodding the listener as they head off on an exploration of musical hooks and textures.

With 17 mostly instrumental tracks on Visit Malphino, there is a danger of the pace stagnating. However from the gloriously nonchalant opener ‘Through the Arch’, through the psych cumbia of ‘Molienda’ and on to the glorious final track ‘La Bella Isla’ with its booming tuba and playful xylophone, Malphino are able to keep this island trip firmly on track with this, their debut album.