Coba Coba is the third album from the Peruvian band, Novalima. The 2009 release, off U.S.-based, independent label, Cumbancha further explores Afro-Peruvian music's African roots.[Notes 1] The band implores the use of various genres, reggae, dub, salsa, afro-beat, to create their sound.[1] Coba Coba stays true to its traditional roots while simultaneously pushing the boundaries; "Most people still think Peru is only panpipes," says guitarist/keyboardist Rafael Morales. "This is our interpretation of traditional Afro-Peruvian music, forward-thinking but without losing the soul and tribal rhythms of its roots."[Notes 2] The sound is cutting edge but traces its roots back to the times of Spanish Colonial rule and slavery.[Notes 1]

Coba Coba
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 13, 2009 (2009-01-13) US
Recorded2005–2008
GenreWorld, reggae, dub, hip hop, Afrobeat
LabelCumbancha
ProducerToni Economides
Novalima chronology
Afro
(2005)
Coba Coba
(2009)
Coba Coba Remixed
(2009)

Critical reception

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Coba Coba was nominated for a 2009 Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album.[2] Neil Spencer of The Guardian called the album "a polished fusion borrowing freely from folk, salsa, highbrow poetry, and ghetto dancefloor."[3] Allmusic's Jeff Tamarkin said that "its more minimalist, harder-edged production and less global-minded reach allow for fewer sonic surprises" than the band's previous album, Afro.[4] Ernest Barteldes of the Houston Press remarked that the fusion of Peruvian music with "elements of electronica, hip-hop, samba, and other genres" results in a sound that is "something fresh that still is closely attached to their roots."[5] Nils Jacobson of PopMatters gave the album a 9 out of 10 rating and wrote: "Elements of funk, reggae, salsa, Afrobeat, hip-hop, and dub mingle freely with traditional landó, marinera, cumanana, and vals criollo—there are no forced combinations—and the guest musicians, mainly horn players and vocalists, add extra flavor."[6]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Concheperla"4:11
2."Libertá"3:40
3."Se Me Van"4:37
4."Ruperta/Puede Ser"4:04
5."Africa Lando"4:18
6."Coba Guarango"4:07
7."Camote"4:26
8."Mujer Ajena"3:51
9."Tumbala"4:00
10."Kumaná"5:23
11."Yo Voy"3:51
12."Bolero"3:37

References

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  1. ^ Rodríguez Martorell, Carlos (13 January 2009). "Novalima mixes old and new sounds from Peru". New York Daily News. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  2. ^ Gilbert, Andrew (10 July 2011). "Afro-Peruvian sound with an electronica beat". Boston Globe. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  3. ^ Spencer, Neil (17 January 2009). "Novalima: 'Coba Coba'". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  4. ^ Tamarkin, Jeff. "'Coba Coba' Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  5. ^ Barteldes, Ernest (24 December 2008). "Sonidos y Mas: NovaLima". Houston Press. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  6. ^ Spencer, Neil (1 April 2009). "Reviews: Novalima: 'Coba Coba'". PopMatters. Retrieved 7 June 2014.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b "Coba Coba".
  2. ^ "A Bluffer's Guide to globalFEST2011". Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2012-09-25.

Further reading

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