London’s Olindo Records has just released an incredible new album from Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos, titled Bichos, that explores futuristic Latin grooves deeply rooted in Afro-Venezuelan rhythms.

Led by Venezuelan bassist Raúl Monsalve, who is also a member of the highly acclaimed group Insolito UniVerso, is backed by a superb cast of musicians on this session, including “the voice of Venezuela” Betsayda Machado, celebrated vocalist & Family Atlantica co-founder, Luzmira Zerpa, in-demand drummer Dave De Rose, and some of premier percussionists from London and Paris, including Afla Sackey (Afrik Bawantu, Dele Sosimi, Electric Jalaba), Baldo Verdú (Tonto Malembe, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18), and Ernesto Marichales (Jordan Rakei, Waaju).

The nine-track recording brilliantly fuses together a wide array of global grooves and influences, blending together Latin funk and jazz with Afrobeat rhythms, cosmic synth melodies, electronics, layered horns, driving percussion rhythms, and soulful Spanish vocals. For Monsalve, who has dedicated much of his life learning traditional Afro-Venezuelan music, he is now pushing the sound forward into completely new orbits.

Recorded and mixed by Malcolm Catto of The Heliocentrics at his Quatermass Sound Lab studio, the album has already receiving a ton of praise from notable DJs like Colin Curtis, Gilles Peterson, Paul Murphy, and others.

Great from start to finish, Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos have put out one of the best and most forward-thinking albums of the year. Definitely a strong candidate for album of the year!

Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos — ‘Bichos’
(Olindo Records)

1. Malembe ft. Vasallos del sol
2. Bocón ft. Luzmira Zerpa
3. Cafunga
4. La Pulga
5. Palo de agua ft. Afrocódigos
6. Mosquito ft. Betsayda Machado
7. La Mariposa ft. Lya Bonilla
8. Los tres venenos ft. Rafa Pino
9. Pa’ los Maestros

BUY RECORD

• Jazz Funk
• Latin
• New Releases