About this Kane FM story
Out 10th November, “Ojos Vicheros” is the third single from Quantic & Nidia Góngora’s ‘Curao’ LP, which came out in May bringing a highly original interpretation of the unique, rich & mystical musical traditions of the Colombian Pacific Coast. Combining Góngora’s vocals with a playful chanting chorus, bubbling with electronic flourishes, “Ojos Vicheros” is an ode to the sweet produce of her home. The single also boasts a new remix from Philly nightclub legend and producer Osage.
The first full collaborative album from renowned British producer Will “Quantic” Holland and Colombian folklore singer Nidia Góngora, following almost a decade of work together both live and on record, ‘Curao’ has been met with delight by fans and media alike. Accolades including BBC 6Music Album Of The Day add to praise from Q, Songlines, PopMatters, an interview in The Guardian and more, as well as heavy radio support for preceding singles “Que Me Duele?”, “Amor En Francia” and many other album tracks, across BBC 6Music, BBC R3, KCRW, FIP, Radio Nova and beyond, and a video feature on Noisey/THUMP.
Imbued with enchanting tales, “Ojos Vicheros” is a memorable chant written by Nidia in the fishing town of Timbiquí. This track is devoted to another of the great delicacies of the region-Viche -a sugar cane brandy. The playful marimba, played by Esteban Copete-the grandson of Pe Petronio Álvarez, the legendary composer of “Mi Buenaventura”-dances around Nidia’s impassioned chorus as a collective of voices escalate to this celebratory track in full flow: “In the song I talk about the happiness that we get from a product that comes from my region - the famous Viche” Góngora explains.
The traditional music of the Colombian South Pacific encompasses mystic and folkloric elements which are inseparable from Góngora’s songs and rhythms. “Nidia is a very mystical person, very spiritual”, Quantic explains. “There’s something very enchanting about her voice and the stories she can tell in the songs, those thematic stories lead a lot of the sound of the record”.
Drawn to the kinetic energy of Góngora’s vocals, Philly enigma Osage’s remix of album track “María No Me Llevo” builds on the movement of the original mix to form an afro-house, broken beat, and garage influenced offering with a heavy Latin American vibe. Staking his claim as a Philly nightclub heavyweight, Osage is also a member of the highly respected DJ crew Illvibe Collective and co-host of the internationally known broadcast Eavesdrop Radio. Building on previous releases on BBE, Tru Thoughts and Record Breakin’ Music, his outputs have been supported by tastemakers from Gilles Peterson, Dom Servini and Anthony Valadez to imprints like Soul Bounce and Okayplayer and clubs along the East Coast.
Considered one of the foremost artists of the marimba music of the South Pacific region, and a guardian of the oral tradition, Nidia Góngora fronts leading regional outfits including Grupo Canalon and plays a key role as a counsellor to younger groups. Now based in the city of Cali, Góngora was born into a musical family in the Afro-Colombian community of Timbiquí.
Holland first got to know Góngora’s voice in Cali, where he lived for several years after visiting on a musical mission in 2007 and falling in love with the place. Their work together has grown into of the most influential partnerships of his career. With more than 15 albums on Tru Thoughts, Holland’s work as a band leader, producer, DJ and more has led The Guardian to class him “alongside global music adventurers such as Damon Albarn and DJ Gilles Peterson”. His rare ability to interpret genres and seek out fascinating collaborators has led to acclaimed projects including The Quantic Soul Orchestra, the Cómbo Barbaro and Flowering Inferno; cutting-edge solo electronic LPs; and side-projects including Óndatropica (Soundway).
For Góngora’s part, this work with Quantic is the only time she has mixed outside influences into her beloved traditional style, and she is conscious of protecting its essence. “You have to be very careful to keep a balance, so that this music will not lose its feeling and significance”, she says, “but I feel I can expose this musical proposition to a global space.” Treating the stories and rhythms of Pacific music with utmost reverence, ‘Curao’ forges a new and vital sound for today’s dancefloors.