Enough of the wistful, the woebegone, and the electro-noodlers. Thought we should have something from someone angry. Los de Abajo are a Mexican group and their name translates as “Those from Below” which is the title of a classic of that country’s revolutionary literature. The group support the Zapatista movement which fights for equality and legal rights for the Mexico’s indigenous people.
That’s the politics. The music is based on Mexican folk rhythms blended with just about every modern style of music you care to mention, with the rap-like lyrics rasped out with an energy and sincerity you don’t often find in that genre. I don’t usually like these concoctions of world and other styles because they sound strained and self-serving but this really works for me. The tracks are interspersed with wild-track recorded on the streets of Mexico City, the sounds of street vendors, traffic, and circus performers, all of which adds up to a lively, atmospheric and heart-felt album.
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2 comments:
The amazon page for this album allows you to sample ALL the tracks....sounds to me like a more underground version of Manu Chao, which I would review if "Clandestino" wasn't at least two years old and I wasn't pretty sure you would all know of him.
R
That's a fair comment about Manu Chao, although Los de Abajo don't employ chipmunks on the album, as Manu does on some of songs. Some may feel this is a sad lack.
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