Palenque Records have led the way in disseminating Afrocolombian music since the mid-90s with many of its releases considered the precursors of the distinctive sounds of Champeta, a genre originating from the picó culture of the Caribbean coast of Colombia and rooted firmly in the west-African Soukous and folklore. Flying the flag for this new style were key players such as Son Palenque, Abelardo Carbono, Sexteto Tabala, Batata y Su Rumba Palenquera, Colombiafrica The Mystic Orchestra… living testimonies of the heavy influence of Africa on folkloric music in Colombia and who, under the guidance of labels like Palenque Records, developed a unique musical culture.
Late last year electro-cum-breakbeat connoisseurs Galletas Calientes dropped an exciting Palenque Records remix package as a fraternal nod of appreciation for two decades of groundwork made by their fellow Colombian label in developing the Champeta genre.
Enter Palenque Records Afrocolombia Remix, the first volume of a series of adaptations of some of Palenque Records’ most popular releases. Each track has been made with an interesting electronic spin that does well to preserve the key features of the original. Stepping up to provide the remix and edits are some big names across the ‘Global Bass’ spectrum. For ‘A Pila El Arroz’ Colombian producer Ghetto Kumbé takes the fast-paced, percussive Son Palenque original and adds a heavy dose of brass and bass and makes some inspired tweaks to the rhythm to revamp it into a thumping Afrobeat track. Rafael Aragon provides the most uplifting track on the album with his ‘Mini Kusoto’ edit. Originally a Colombiafrica classic and product of a collaboration with Congolese artist Diblo Dibala, the French producer builds a funky, uptempo Afrohouse track by synthesising and looping the guitar hook and infusing the beat with extra electronic potency.
Supplemented by a colourful sleeve, hand painted by William “El Maestro” Gutierrez – one of the most reknowned visual artists of the “picó” sound-system culture from Barranquilla Colombia – the album features further adaptations of originals by Champeta maestros Sexteto Tabla, Gualajo and Justo Valdez. You can pre-order on the Galletas Calientes site and listen to the full album here…