Sounds From Colombia
South by Southwest Aftershots
Reviewed by Chase Hoffberger, Fri., March 23, 2012
Sounds From Colombia
Speakeasy, March 15Music is still a participatory sport down in Colombia. Chanting "baile, baile, baile (dance, dance, dance)" as nationals in canary-colored soccer jerseys sashayed and threw their hands in the air, the festive, jazzy party line of Cali's Ancestros proved the ideal replacement for marquee name Quantic, whose arrival into Austin was delayed 24 hours thanks to a reported dispute with United Airlines. Bogotá's New Age cumbia revisionist Duran kept bodies moving with a minimalist lineup that included drums, congas, and a trombone. Working quickly, the lanky singer scatted his way through busy break-beats before grabbing a guitar and cutting into a Latin remake of "I Will Survive." Colombian traditionalism came in the form of Canalón de Timbiquí, a 10-person ensemble of singers and instrumentalists all dressed in lavish white suits, colorful ties, and top hats. The group's Andean inflections and rootsy sound stood in stark contrast to headliner and highlight Monsieur Perine, whose magnetic frontwoman Catalina Garcia led a theatrical South American new-folk collective of flutes, clarinets, banjos, and upright bass. "¿Que paso, Austin?" she asked, but the answer was obvious early: baile, baile, baile.
