New Music Tuesday: Nortec Collective
Nortec Collective (latest release: Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3) asks you to forget what you know about Tijuana before listening to their music. In fact, the collective is more than a music group. It's a group of musicians, architects, filmmakers, graphic designers, artists, and fashion stylistas. But let's focus on the music side of things for a bit.
The Collective's genre-bending sounds blend electronica to Norteño, Ranchera, and Banda Sinaloense - Mexicanized hybrids of polka (!) and waltz (!!) brought to Mexico by German farmers (!!!). The sound is like no other. It's at once groovy, oompa-y, and latin. One thing I can guarantee when you listen to the music, your feet/booty/hands will not remain still. Yes, I know it's the holiday season, but nothing will make cookie-baking sessions as fun as listening to NC's music while you measure flour, sugar and salt.
My favorite tracks (listen to the album here):
El Fracaso - an oompa polka groove countered by blaring trumpets and a mean snare drum
Olvidela Compa - swingin clarinets and one sweet accordian
Autobanda - more tuba-driven polka sounds; but this time distorted and funked up with electronic beats
Funky Tamazula - had James Brown lived in Tijuana he would have made a song like this
Wine Pairing: This music makes me immediately think of two wine styles: Spicy or Sparkly.
On the spicy tip, try a Cali Zin by Ridge (Pagani Ranch is a goodie)
If these tunes bring on a bout of the bubbly-joneses, groove with a sparkly Chardonnay by Charles de Fère or Argyle's sparkling Oregon Brut.
Jesus, I thought I was the only one mildly into Tejano and all such genre-bending styles from south of the border. Confession: I totally dig the music they blare at Campos Market. Sometime I don't even need anything. Just bust out a bottle of Fanta and enjoy the tunes. Weird, I know.
Saw that you frequent another blog I like--something so clever. Very cool. Joined the big bad world of blog myself. I saw pigs flying out my window, so I figured it was time.
How goes the gig at metro? wanna collaborate for the holidays sometime?
Posted by: vanessa | 29 November 2005 at 04:49 PM