.Novalima

Coba Coba

Milagros Guerrero is the obvious star to emerge from Afro-Peruvian
group Novalima, with her little-doll voice that sounds good both in
song and rap form. Guerrero does indeed rap on “Ruperta/Puede Ser,” the
fourth track of Novalima’s new album Coba Coba. It’s an exhibit
A of the current “fusion” trend in Latin music, which has produced
artists like Omar Sosa, Ojos de Brujo, and the hip-hop group Ozomatli.
Like its counterparts, Novalima is besotted with centuries-old
traditions, but also drawn toward contemporary styles of production.
(It released the dance spinoff, Coba Coba Remixed, in mid-June.)
Guerrero is a newcomer to the group (which formed as a quartet in
2001), but she’s largely responsible for shaping its sound. She puts
the sheen on what would otherwise be a well-done but
not-quite-extraordinary musical experiment.

The members of Novalima (who now number nine, with the addition of
Guerrero and several percussionists) pride themselves for having
revived an indigenous form of music that apparently doesn’t get enough
play on their home turf. What’s more interesting, though, is the
composition of their band, which combines every kind of Latin
percussion instrument you could think of (from congas to cowbells to
timbales) with modern DJ equipment. No surprise, then, that their songs
tend to be rhythmically complex. “Libertá” is anchored by a
syncopated bass line that blurs out towards the end, at which point
producer Grimaldo del Solar throws in some echo and reverb. (Thus, it
starts off as a Latin dance number and turns into a woozy dub song).
“Se Me Van,” is even more enigmatic, with a rhythmic template that
seems to be based more on interjections (from the vast ensemble of drum
instruments) than on any specific pattern. The only problem with such
intricacies is that they make the album sound programmed and
technological. It took a talented singer to breathe life into those
tracks. (Cumbancha)

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