La Raza Cosmica —> Chico Mann

December 6, 2010By Nati

Latin AfroBeat Freestyle Fela Cosmic Parallel Urban Concrete Space Universe —> all words/concepts I think when I listen to Chico Mann.  Check out this Jersey City/NYC native {woop woop!} Chico Mann, on LA’s KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic – f i n a l l y.  Very refreshing and exciting {inspiring!} how intrigued greater Los Angeles … Read More

Cali Funk Chronicles: Carioca Bass Tour With Zuzuka Poderosa

November 28, 2010By Nati

So earlier this month, I accompanied Zuzuka Poderosa on her first West Coast Tour from Sacramento, to San Francisco, to San Jose and Los Angeles.  Like two DIY reinas; we were on a super low budget, fighting the good fight, email signup sheet and CDs in hand, spreading the word about Zuzuka’s music. I have … Read More

Blitz the Ambassador is ‘Native Sun’ | Baloji

November 20, 2010By Nati

Check out this great interview on Afropop Worldwide which is broadcast on Public Radio International (PRI) with Blitz the Ambassador – he discusses his last album ‘Stereotype,’ spending formative years in New York City, his changing sound and more.  Blitz is in Ghana right now {casting actors as we speak}, shooting  a short film/video and … Read More

Oscar Grant

November 6, 2010By Nati

This mural is beautiful.  Painted by Shaun Burner of the Trust Your Struggle mural collective yesterday in Oakland after the police officer who shot 22 year old father Oscar Grant on New Year’s Eve in 2009 was sentenced to 2 years in prison {with 1 year already credited to him}.  Full news and updates here.  … Read More

LISTEN! Evolution & New Folk: Systema Solar

October 20, 2010By Nati

I’ve loved this band for about a year now; this is what Colombia sounds like NOW: Systema Solar.  Future music, la raza cosmica!  Africa, folklore, tweaks, moogs, middle eastern sounds, twangs, sound systems, jamaica, campo, accordian, cumbia, la costa, ahora y FUTURO! Click here and you can listen to a nice collection of their music … Read More

FREE DOWNLOAD: “Hierba, Hierba” Los Rakas @ Smoke Out Festival

October 15, 2010By Nati

UPDATE:  it was just announced that the guys will be on ‘How The Grouch Stole Xmas’ tour w/ The Grouch, Brother Ali & Eligh.  Dates: How The Grouch Stole Christmas 20101 12/1: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre | More Info 12/2: San Diego, CA @ Soundwave | More Info 12/3: Tempe, AZ @ … Read More

viche

October 8, 2010By Nati

In a nutshell: September found me jetting around the country visiting family, friends and clients across South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Miami, Dominican Republic and Colombia – thanks to Jetblue’s All You Can Fly Pass. While in Colombia, Bomba Estereo‘s Simon Mejia insisted I tried something called Viche.  I’d heard of the drink this past March … Read More

Fierce: Zuzuka Poderosa in Paper Spaceship {Photos}

October 6, 2010By Nati

Zuzuka Poderosa is a special and powerful woman.  Drawing a blank on how we met exactly, after spending the summer in NYC, we linked and it’s been love at first sight ever since.  We’ve run around the town painting her magenta, conspiring over coffee, saki bombs and choripan.  I wouldn’t call her a ‘Baile Funk‘ … Read More

Esto es la raza esto es la casa: Bomba Estéreo @ Bumbershoot

September 7, 2010By Nati

Bomba Estéreo killed it yesterday at the amazing Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle.  This year has been special, been blessed enough to be at SXSW (w/ the band), Bonnaroo (w/ the band), Coachella and Bumbershoot {Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, you’re next!}  I’ve always wanted to come to this festival, especially after visiting Seattle for less … Read More