La Pava Congona / Soul Makossa

The Discos Panorama series heads back to Colombia again for PAN016, pairing a heavyweight cumbia classic from Andrés Landero y Su Conjunto with a wild Colombian take on one of the great Afro-funk records. On the A-side, "La Pava Congona" is Landero in full flight. Known as El Rey de la Cumbia, Landero had that rare ability to make the accordion feel raw, hypnotic, and completely dancefloor-ready. This one is all about the rolling rhythm, the call-and-response feel, and that unmistakable sabanero swing. Proper Colombian cumbia with weight behind it. On the flip, Afrosound take on Manu Dibango's "Soul Makossa" and send it straight from Colombia's northern coast. Where the original is already a landmark Afro-funk groove, Afrosound bring their own Colombian flavor to it: fuzzed-out guitar, tropical percussion and loose psychedelic touches, and that brilliant energy that made their records so special.