Review: Novalima - 'Coba Coba'

The Peruvian group Novalima focuses on Afro-Peruvian rhythms from Peru's coast and then makes it new by fusing the traditional with dub, funk, hip hop, reggae and other contemporary flourishes. The combination makes Coba Coba a showcase of Afro-Peruvian tradition without going back in time.

Listening to this album I kept thinking 'Why don't we get to hear more of this dynamic music?" More would be good, but Coba Coba is here now and it's great.

Listen |Download |Purchase

There hasn’t been a lot of Afro-Peruvian music performed outside Peru with the notable exception of Peru Negro and Susana Baca. But while Novalima starts with the grass roots Afro-Peruvian rhythms indigenous to their home they’ve updated the sound and made it more accessible to a younger generation that tends to prefer pop, trova and salsa.

That makes the music of Novalima fresh and contemporary with its fusion of Afro-Peruvian and reggae, dub, salsa, hip-hop and funk. Novalima adds dub to the album opener, “Concheperla,” which is at heart a traditional song in Peru’s popular song & dance genre performed called ‘marinera.’. “Liberta” is a song of hope that imagines a time when blacks and whites will be equal (there’s still a strong division of color in Peru) made more poignant when sung by Novalima lead vocalist Milagros Guerrero.

Then we’re treated to some Cuban-style hip hop, Afrobeat funk, soca, even a track of salsa dura. In fact, every track offers something different and unusual with the more modern elements enhancing rather than detracting from the traditional.

With exciting rhythms, traditional Afro-Peruvian instrumentation, smooth, powerful vocals and just enough modern musical elements to spice things up, Coba Coba is an album that’s hard to resist.