This Colombian group mixes live instruments with computerized loops, throwing rock and Latin grooves together with environmental sound effects and unexpected sounds like the flauta de millo, a cane flute with a high-pitched, keening sound. Vocalist
Li Saumet, whose nasal voice is reminiscent of
Calle 13 backing vocalist
PG-13, has a punky hip-hop delivery that's somewhere between
M.I.A. and
Mala Rodriguez. She floats above the cumbia-meets-electronica rhythms generated by multi-instrumentalist
Simon Mejia and the percussion of
Diego Cadavid and
Kike Egurrola, chanting choruses that are equal parts party anthem and political call to action. Early
Bomba Estereo singles like
"Corinto" and
"Huepaje" (neither included on this album) were more overtly radical; the group seems to have tempered its sloganeering slightly, though a political edge remains in songs like
"Raza" and
"Musica Accion." But the music is what matters most, and it's multifaceted and compelling. Slower tracks like
"Agua Sala" bump up against hard-grooving anthems like
"Fuego" and
"La Nina Rica." Saumet even switches back and forth between Spanish and English -- sometimes mid-phrase -- on
"Feelin'." The album's cover art, with its crude lettering and collage of radios and speakers, recalls
Clash singles like
"Complete Control" and
"Radio Clash," and the music is similar in spirit, combining political engagement with irresistible rhythms and hooky choruses. An excellent album for the heat of summer. ~ Phil Freeman.Â
![This is Me¿Now [Cloud Galaxy Vinyl] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/4050538948004_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "This is Me¿Now [Cloud Galaxy Vinyl] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive]")
