Cumbia is the new punk

I’ve seen Son Rompe Pera perform four times in the last year, and I’m here to tell you they’re one of the most compelling live acts right now in any genre. If you saw them at the Richmond Folk Festival last year, you know what I’m talking about.

Their second album Chimborazo (presumably named for the mountain in Ecuador not the hill in Richmond, although it’s a nice thought) will be released on March 10. It really captures what the band sounds like right now, although nothing can prepare you for seeing their mosh-pit marimba madness in person. You’ll hear two songs from Chimborazo on this week’s edition of Global A Go-Go alongside other like-minded disruptors of cumbia orthodoxy.

Also this week (Sunday March 5, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site): reggae versions of the great American (and Canadian) singer-songwriters, Manu Chao’s mestizo sound meets Cabo Verdean funaná, West African psychedelia, Colombia takes on Cuban songo and timba, and a little African dance party.

Podcast: radio4all.net/program/114900
All the podcasts: radio4all.net/series/Global%20A%20Go-Go

Show Archive

Play show / Add show to playlist

Playlist:

Oliver Lake, “Separation”

from Matador Of 1st & 1st

Passin Thru - 1996

USA

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, “Global a Go-Go”

from Global a Go-Go

BMG Rights Management (US) LLC - 2001

England UK

The Tamlins, “Baltimore”

from Sly & Robbie Presents Sounds of Taxi 1st Volume

Taxi Records - 2012

Jamaica, 1980

Ken Boothe, “Down By The River”

from Everything I Own

Trojan Records - 1974

Jamaica

Reggaddiction, “Are You Ready for the Country (feat. Lord Sassafras)”

from Ganja Harvest

NuFunk Records - 2023

Canada-Jamaica

The Uniques, “Mother and Child Reunion”

from The Best of the Pioneers

Trojan Records - 2017

Jamaica-England UK, 1972

Manu Chao, “Mr Bobby”

from Próxima Estación: Esperanza

Radio Bemba - 2013

France-Spain, 2001

Doctor Nativo, “Zion”

from Guatemaya

Stonetree Records - 2018

Guatemala

Christophe Maé & Ceuzany, “Pays des merveilles”

from Pays des merveilles - Single

Parlophone (France) - 2022

France-Cabo Verde

Tchota Suari e Chando Gracioso, “Nha Boi”

from Pour Me A Grog: The Funana Revolt In 1990s Cabo Verde

Ostinato Records - 2019

Cabo Verde, 1992

Ogassa, “Gbe We Gnin Wa Bio”

from Ogassa Original (Vol. 1)

Acid Jazz UK - 2022

Benin, 1978

Guelewar Of Banjul, “Ya Mom Sumaray”

from Dieuf Dieul Khadin Rassoul

Sonafric - 1982

The Gambia

Lila Downs, “La Cumbia Del Mole”

from Canciones Pa' Todo el Año

EMI México - 2012

México-USA, 2006

Chico Trujillo, “Alturas”

from Reina De Todas las Fiestas

Barbès Records - 2015

Chile

Son Rompe Pera, “El Tamal (feat. La Perla)”

from Chimborazo

AYA - 2023

México

Son Rompe Pera, “Selva Negra”

from Chimborazo

AYA - 2023

México

Los Pao Paos, “Señorita Muerte”

from Los Pao Paos

Devil In The Woods - 2022

México

Juan Formell Y Los Van Van, “¡Qué sorpresa! (Remastered)”

from 25 años… !y seguimos ahí¡ Vol. 2 (Remastered)

Los Van Van - 2014

Cuba, 1994

Papá Bocó, “Sos Mi Cura (feat. La Mambanegra)”

from Sos Mi Cura (feat. La Mambanegra) [Versión Papá Bocó] - Single

Tambora Records - 2023

Colombia