ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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Mexican Institute of Sound
SOY SAUCE COOKING VINYL 04.05.09 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk Mexican Institute of sound is basically Mexico City based multi-genre DJ, producer and musician Camilo Lara who started off cobbling together holiday re-mixes of his favourite hip-hop, dub and traditional Latino music for mates on his laptop, whilst also working for a record label (Vice President of A&R and Marketing at EMI Mexico no less). This process has already spawned his first two albums – ‘Méjico Máxico’ and ‘Pinata’. For this third album the sound has been expanded to include a full band. Opener ‘Cumbia’ sets the tone – hot Latino rhythms, jazzy trumpets and vocals in Spanish combine with more contemporary loops and beats - it’s like Fun Lovin’ Criminals on acid. ‘Alocatel’ is even madder – a feisty beat is accompanied by what sounds like Lara doing a duck impression as part of the vocal style. There’s also a remix of this track included by none other than Ad Rock of The Beastie Boys. ‘White Stripes’ is a bit more ‘normal’ sounding – a duet with Mexican pop star Paty Cantu, and vocals in English giving this track a more chart-friendly R’n’B feel. ‘Te Quiero Mucho’ starts off with a laid back beat over a pleasantly fuzzy low-key guitar strum but then the fuzziness morphs into a sample fest of buzzing insects, squawking monkeys, mooing cows and ends with a telephone ringing. If that sounds totally nuts to you then you’d be spot on. ‘Sinfonia Agridulce’ is a totally insane sounding cover version – play this to your friends and see how long it takes them to guess which song it’s a cover of. If they have a rudimentary grasp of Spanish they’ll get that’s its Bittersweet Symphony from the title though. Overall this album is a giddy blend of numerous styles and influences, and if you can keep up its good fun. Not sure if I could listen to this regularly though – perhaps a good one to put on if you’re the owner of a Tapas bar or Mexican restaurant. www.myspace.com/mexicaninstituteofsound |