Get Into Cumbia's Roots, Then Get Into a Cumbia Party

Thankfully, San Francisco's party scene is as vibrantly and eclectically cultured as its residents. Otherwise, we wouldn't have many of our most interesting nightlife activities. Case in point: The Roots of Chicha 2 album release party at Elbo Room. Hosted by the resident DJs and live band of the weekly Afrolicious shindig, the celebratory event is not only for the release of the album, but also to celebrate the birthdays of resident DJ Pleasuremaker and Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. So, we know why we're going to party. Now, stream some of this music, and let's talk about how we're going to party. Below this text you'll find two streaming players. One player contains a compilation album called The Roots of Chicha, and the other has a sampler of that record's follow-up. Released by Brooklyn's Barbès Records, the series is an ongoing excavation of vintage sounds born in the various rural and urban locales of South America--including cumbia, guaracha, and the psychedelic folk music known as chicha. The first installment of Roots focused more on the Amazonian side of things, while the second album gets deeper into the musicians and bands trying to make it big in the cities between the late '60s and early '80s. The music is strange and foreign, for sure, but something about it still feels timeless and quite relevant. Get familiar with chicha's roots today, and then get down with them tonight.





Follow us on Twitter @SFAllShookDown and @PatricFallon