by J.Roiz•
The album is actually called "Nortec Collective presents: Corridos Urbanos. A collection of songs by Clorofila".
The Latin Grammy nominee musical ensemble from northern Mexico, Nortec Collective, proudly present their latest album, but this time the spotlight is not on them, rather on one of their members. Tijuana makes them happy and so does Jorge Verdin or better known as Clorofila.
Forming ¼ of Nortec Collective, it is a no brainer that this album is instrumental and based on stories related from Tijuana across Southern California. Clorofila collaborated with a variety of musicians and incorporated almost every instrument in the book; string, wind, and brass instruments. Sincerely, reviewing this album has been problematic, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it, but it is a bit of a hassle figuring out which instrument and special effects where used in this captivating production. 1. Discoteca nacional 2. Llantera 3. Baby Rock Rock 4. Naked ladies 5. Arriba el novio 6. Nicole ya no baila aquí 7. Four-Fifteen AM 8. Eso esperamos 9. Radio 80 10. El General 11. Bajo Sextoy 12. Babai “Baby Rock Rock”
The best part of the album is connecting the catchy titles with the individual and innovative beats that each song has, for example, Arriba el Novio (which I’m still trying to depict how this title relates to one of the fast paced tracks). Not only does Clorofila express his musical talent but he experiments with other genres as well, like in Nicole ya no baila aqui, where you can find a sensual laid-back cumbia. Then there are the tracks that leave the norteño thing behind, like El General which is mainly dominated by percussion melodies.
My favorite track (and yes, it gets its own paragraph because it’s that good) is called Four-Fifteen AM. The word to best describe this synthesized tune is pacifying. I love the saxophone solo dominating most of the track and in essence the vibe, it sets that perfect lounge feeling, you know, the one you tend to overcome at Lincoln Road or at a sushi bar. In my opinion, it is the exotic track on the album.
The tracks with the most accelerating beats are the first five tracks; “Discoteca Nacional”, “Llantera”, “Baby Rock Rock” (highly recommended), “Naked Ladies” and “Arriba el Novio”, from there, the beats and rhythms of the rest of the songs fluctuate.
Although the album is mostly instrumental, there are several tracks with featured vocalists, one of them being one of the softer tracks, Babai with Australian singer Supina Bytol and David J (of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets fame).
“Corridos Urbanos” is his first attempt at a solo album and much like Nortec Collective’s sound; Clorofila combines norteño music with techno. I am not a fan of the constant “punchypunchypunchy” sound that techno has but this album is a must have for any electronic and norteño fan and even for a picky person like myself.
Click here to download Corridos Urbanos (Nortec Collective Presents)
Tweet me!
