Building on the success of previous releases which include the afro-driven funk of 'Liberated Thoughts' by David Hanke alter ego, Dem Juju Poets, and the brilliant album by Swiss afrobeat outfit Professor Wouassa, 'Grow Yes Yes!', Matasuna Records make a nice about-turn with their brand new signing of salsa band, Banderas.
Salsa, famed for having life breathed into it in 1970s New York through Nuyorican bands (New Yorkers of Puerto Rican descent), was always able to boast an eclectic and diverse mix of musical styles incorporating Afro-Cuban percussion, Spanish cancion and at times mixes of Latin jazz, rock and funk as laid down by Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Hector Lavoe and Fania Records.
So on that note, it may come as something of a surprise that Banderas are actually an 11-piece band from Tokyo, Japan.
Banderas - "the Cuban fueled Japanese power combo" - comprise of Kazuma Koseki (piano), congas by Dategen (former Orquestra de la Luz member), trumpet by Naohito 'Temjin' Yomoda (from Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro) and Izpon who is perhaps best known for his work in Kingdom Afrorocks and collaborations with Tony Allen.
Collectively, the band take excellent leaps in carrying forward the traditions and stylings laid out by the genre’s initial stars and forefathers with killer dancefloor-heavy numbers - 'Tema de Banderas' and 'Banderas Mambo' - that will have you salivating for a full-length album. For now though, these two singles are available as 7" and digital purchases available from 23rd March 2018.
For more info on Banderas and to get your hands on the singles, please visit Matasuna Records.
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