Sidestepper
More Grip
Palm Pictures
A very traditional, although occasionally dissonant and/or introspective, festive gala bunch of tracks, immersed in what seems to be Brazilian music, but the less urban and more outback feel is because it’s actually Colombian. Richard Blair, producer, engineer, and musician worked quite a while at Real World Studios in London, working with Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, and Daniel Lanois. But he was inspired to do More Grip after hanging out and working three years in Colombia with Toto La Momposina. There is certainly far more Bogota than London here.
I’ll have to assume the variety of vocalists are in Spanish, but not English, nonetheless. Although myself not included, I know there are many who would like to know that. No matter, you’ll not be sitting still while listening and booty swaying to this rich South American blend of tracks. Branch out, get over it, and dive down into the other down under.
