Coba Coba (Dig)

Novalima | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 13, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cumbancha
• ASIN: B001LOVA0I
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,374 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #13 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > Peru

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Since its formation in 2001, Novalima has been breaking down boundaries, uniting seemingly irreconcilable genres, communities and generations to create an inspiring movement that has revolutionized the music scene in their native Peru. Founded by four friends from Lima with a shared passion for both traditional Afro-Peruvian music and modern DJ culture, Novalima searches for the common ground between past and future, between tradition and innovation. Their efforts have also helped bridge the divide between the Peruvian mainstream and the Afro-Peruvian community, a minority population that has struggled against discrimination and the threat of cultural dissolution for generations.

On Coba Coba, Novalima delves further into the African roots of Afro-Peruvian music, bringing in influences from its musical cousins reggae, dub, salsa, hip-hop, afrobeat and Cuban son. Special guests include New Zealand nu jazz keyboardist Mark de Clive-Lowe, the popular Cuban hip-hop group Obsesión and Spanish alternative rocker Gecko Turner. British producer Toni Economides, a regular collaborator of Nitin Sawhney, Da Lata, Bugz in the Attic and 4Hero among others, adds his special touch on the album's mixes.

Coba Coba promises to bring even wider recognition to this innovative group, while furthering their mission to inspire new generations to appreciate and respect the Afro-Peruvian contribution to the world of music. With a fresh and innovative sound that stands on a centuries-old foundation of soul and heritage, Novalima will keep Afro-Peruvian expression thriving long into the future.

Product Description

Novalima's pioneering blend of soulful Afro-Peruvian rhythms and melodies with the cutting-edge grooves of dub reggae, chilled-out electronica and funky Latin beats creates an irresistible mash-up of old-school traditions and modern trends. Fans of the Gotan Project, Ojos de Brujo and Thievery Corporation will love Novalima's stunning new album, Coba Coba.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the World Music Guide at About.com, January 14, 2009

By 

Megan Romer (Lafayette, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coba Coba (Dig) (Audio CD)

Coba Coba is the final proof that Cumbancha Records has established themselves as not only one of the finest world music record labels in this country, but one of the finest record labels, period. Five-star record after five-star record... at this point I'm starting to think I might buy mayonnaise if Cumbancha slapped their approval on it.

It's important to mention that I'm not in the business of being overly nice, and I certainly won't claim that this record doesn't have flaws. Flaws, though, are not necessarily a bad thing, and the flaws here are minor and aesthetically appropriate - the musical equivalents of a little street dirt, those occasionally gritty moments that add a touch of honesty and humanity.

It seems that Novalima, well-known in international circles but not necessarily so in the States, are well-poised to challenge conceptions of the modern relevance of "world music." Thick, electric bass lines throb under brisk, hollow hand percussion lines. Soft, jazzy horns glide in and around well-placed synthesizers, and husky male vocals unpredictably coo while an elegant female voice becomes almost thunder-like in a surprising contradiction.

Coba Coba is very "something old, something new," and yet avoids any hint of contrivance. Flowing comfortably from afro-beat to reggae, lingering at jazz and even briefly stopping over in hip-hop, the Afro-Peruvian base is both solid and forgiving enough to anchor any and all dalliances, and bring them home into something new, something exciting.

If this is truly the future of Afro-Latin music, then all is well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Novalima, January 19, 2009

By 

Guillermo Martin "willie" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coba Coba (Dig) (Audio CD)

Amazing tunes!! Great value for money. These guys are amazing, the sounds they creat out of the most unusual instruments (cajon, etc.) is out of this world!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tropic of the Andes, March 5, 2009

By 

Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coba Coba (Dig) (Audio CD)

"Coba Coba" is a spicy,exotic album from Peru's own Nova Lima,a group that blends Afro-Peruvian sounds with techno music. If you're already a fan of the French/Argentine DJ collective Gotan Project, Nova Lima is a great follow-up. "Coba Coba" blends African rhythms with Latin music. David Byrne,the former front man of the Talking Heads, introduced the Afro-Peruvian diva Susana Baca to the world,and there's more with Nova Lima.

"Coba Coba" opens with "Concheperla",and it sounds like traditional Peruvian music, redolent of Macchu Picchu's ruins, but with savory African beats. "Liberta" is a traditional song about Afro-Peruvians' dreams for a black President. In a sense,their dream has come true here in America. "Ruperta/Puede Ser" manages to blend reggae,hip hop,and ancient rhythms. "Africa Lando" is a sad lament about slavery. **SPOILER ALERT**"Coba Guarango" has a deeply rhythmic chant--in fact,it's also the album title. "Mujer ajena" has more of a Cuban sound. "Kumana" is a traditional mocking song,and it closes with a bolero.

"Coba Coba" brings Afro-Peruvian culture into the modern world with a techno twist!