Capitol K: “Cumbia Millipedes”

Dub & dance through the southern Americas with producer/soundscape maestro Capitol K on “Cumbia Millipedes” from his latest album Andean Dub. Alright! Ready? Here goes: cumbia began as a courtship dance practiced among the African slave population, which later mixed with European instruments and musical characteristics. Cumbia is very popular in the Andean region and the Southern Cone, and it’s still more popular than salsa music in parts of these regions. Fine. Great. Really cool research, Mr. Wikipedia Ethnomusicologist, but tell us one thing, is it any good?

Capitol K’s Latin journey produced music that feels traditional and electronically current all at once. With accordion chords and percussion toys like maracas joyously shaking and shimmying all over the place, it becomes a near impossible challenge to sit still as a listener. Move them feet to the beat! Bubbling synth riffs offset the past with the present in this slice of infectious dance music. The entire album gives the listener these enjoyable dichotomies. After a while it bleeds together as individual compositions become less important and an overall sense of “party” envelopes the stereo. Still, there’s nothing wrong with a set of good vibrations.

Andean Dub is available on Bandcamp

Written by Jeff Daily