Rock (All) charts

Review: Imagine a Latin reboot of "Back to the Future" starring Arsenio Rodriguez as the mad scientist and Eblis Alvarez (Meridian Brothers) as his time-travelling student. This album serves as the perfect imaginary soundtrack for that unmade film. Following the success of his debut solo album Mentallogenic, Alex Figueira returns with a more collaborative approach, crafting the second album of his expansive project, Conjunto Papa Upa. Embracing soul, funk, jazz, psychedelia, and electronics, Fruta Madura ("Ripe Fruit") navigates diverse tempos and rhythms, offering a refreshing blend amidst electronic-dominated tropical music. Figueira's distinctive production shines, showcasing his eclectic vision in a genre-defying journey through African, American and Caribbean traditions. With witty, mature themes and spirited compositions, this album promises to be a future classic in tropical psychedelic music.

Review: The Pambele band's debut album blends Afro-Colombian influences taken from their shared heritage with the vivid sounds of 60s psychedelic rock. It's a work rich in "Caribbean creolisation" with traditional Colombian percussion, joyful, rhythmic vocals and intricate guitar melodies all underpinned with wild organ tones. This powerful cross-fertilisation creates a transatlantic but also distinctly Caribbean sound that draws you into a world of exuberant musical atmosphere. The tunes often get you into a trance-like state while combining raw improvisation and dancey rhythms. It's an authentic escape to a very distant part of the world but one with a universal sense of rhythm that cannot be escaped.

Review: Caito Sanchez lives in New York but was born in Panama and is a dedicated drummer who has spent years as a sideman. He's been honing his craft since the early 2000s and has played with the likes of Charles Bradley, Lee Fields and Brian Jackson. Now he finally makes the big step of going it alone and this debut single shows what he is capable of. He takes care of drums, but also bass, guitar and lead voice on a pair of nuggets that are heavy and psychedelic Spanish rock tunes full of fresh new wave sounds.

Review: Rio 18's Radio Chevere is a vibrant, genre-defying musical experience that resists being neatly boxed in. Part mixtape, part radio show, it's a sprawling tribute to Tropical Music, bursting with energy, sincerity, and groove.
Guided by guest DJ Coco Maria, Radio Chevere embarks on a sonic journey across multiple continents. From the samba rhythms of Brazil to Venezuelan salsa and even Californian psychedelic disco, the album becomes a musical metaphor for migrationicelebrating the movement of people, sounds, and stories.Collaboration lies at the heart of this record. Brazilian legends the +2's appear on the soft samba ballad 'Oh Minha Querida', while transatlantic Yacht Rockers Young Gun Silver Fox bring laid-back charm to 'She's In LA'. Silvia Machete from Sao Paulo adds an infectious funk vibe to 'Maybe Man', and Venezuelan icon Luzmira Zerpa delivers rhythmic intensity on 'Padre Tiempo'. The album's linguistic variety is equally impressive, blending Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh, and English into one rich tapestry. Founder Carwyn Ellis, having explored Latin music since Rio 18's 2018 inception, takes a step back from singing on Radio Chevere, focusing instead on songwriting and production. With bold cover art by Colombian artist Yoda, Radio Chevere is a lively and heartfelt celebration of the diverse influences that make up its unique sound.

Review: This a unique release that features a song that was released by two different bands during within the same year. The song 'Meshkalina' was by a psychedelic and prog band from Peru called Traffic Sound and then, soon after, by Latin duo Paco Zambrano and Reynaldo Murrieta under the name Paco Zambrano Y Su Combo. The latter version is more traditional and Latin while the Traffic Sound version is more psychedelic garage rock band-like. Two formidable and very different versions featured on limited splattered 7" vinyl.

Review: Delve beyond cumbia's usual bounds and explore psychedelic dimensions in modern tropical music courtesy of this, La Banda Chuska's debut single on Names You Can Trust. It offers a window into this evolving sonic landscape, blending as it does rip-roaring guitar riffs with contemporary flair. Picture the B-52s navigating a twisted Pacific-Peruvian time warp, bongos in hand, and this will give you a good idea of what to expect. This vibrant adventure encapsulates La Banda Chuska's colourful fusion of sounds and will have you surfing through a wave of tropical vibes in no time.

Review: Los Diablos Rojos is the renowned Peruvian cumbia band that has achieved global recognition for its unique tropical sound while defying fleeting trends with enduring appeal. Emerging from CaNete Chico, their distinct instrumental tropical music set them apart from their contemporaries and over the years, they have led a musical trend that continues to gain acclaim. As pioneers, they serve as a benchmark for modern tropical bands with their creativity and resilience and innovative approach that challenges existing norms. Their musical freshness is on full display in Ritmo Satanico, a truly tropical international delight.