There can’t be many (or any) European compilations that take a deep dive into the Dominican Republic’s musical heritage but thankfully, Belgian vinyl digger Xavier Daive has spent many years in DR searching through long forgotten record shelves and boxes to bring us this fine collection of the second wave of merengue típico released a few days ago on the excellent Bongo Joe Records. Fast and frenetic party music propelled by hyperspeed accordion and fizzing guiras, “Merengue Típico 'Nueva Generación!” is a superb overview of this wildly popular Latin Caribbean genre. We asked our friend and DR native Mauro Ferreiro for his thoughts. Read / Listen
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Error Subcutáneo 'Temporada Ciclónica' (Running Circle) - a review
The new 7 track E.P. that Dominican Republic duo Error Subcutáneo have released today on Summer Solstice is a provocative and wild ride of free jazz, soundscape interventions and modular experimentalism fueled by the chaos of life in the Caribbean and the wider uncertainties of our world right now. Band member Mauro Ferreiro is a frequent contributor to our magazine and this record is released on Nottingham imprint Running Circle so somehow, a kind of harmony has arrived from the chaos. A lot like the music. Read / Listen
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Photo: Daniel Rodríguez
Isaac Sasson 'Canciones de Isaac' (Olindo Records) - a review
Isaac Sasson has released an album of perfectly poised gentleness containing thirteen evocative folky vignettes of life and family in Venezuela and Barcelona. Field recordings of nature accompany his tender voice, exquisite songwriting and light touch multi-instrumentalism. It’s a stunning record. Read / Listen
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Various Artists 'Color de Trópico Vol. 2' (El Palmas Music) - a review
A top shelf compilation of impossible to find music from Venezuela’s boom years (1966 - 78) touching on cumbia, salsa, folkloric and even localised versions of Fela Kuti and Desmond Dekker to get you moving and smiling… Read / Listen here
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A quick chat with Dominican Republic record shop Tútalo Records
Mauro Ferreiro has a revealing chat with Lenny, co-founder of Tútalo Records in Dominican Republic - talking about the slow rebirth of local vinyl culture and the incredible sounds that the island has birthed. If you love Cuban and Spanish Caribbean music, your ears are in for a serious treat…. Read / listen more….
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Error Subcutáneo - the errsub beat tape- (Abu Recordings)
Error Subcutáneo is an electronic free jazz project from the Dominican Republic and they’ve got a new beat tape out today! Read / listen here….
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Recondite Caribbean Gems: Rhythms of the Dominican Republic
An illuminating look and listen at the wondrous yet often overlooked rhythms of the Dominican Republic from Santo Domingo native and creative wunderkind Mauro Ferreiro. Read / listen here….
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