LENGUALERTA – AURORA

Lengualerta: the voice of protest

Cumbia dub and protest songs enter into holy matrimony

Echo Beach proudly presents: Aurora! This album by Mexican vocalist Lengualerta marks a true milestone in his career. Critical lyrics that protest social injustice meet a sound sense of style and astonishingly fresh, good music. Now, listeners in the Old Continent can look forward to getting their hands on Aurora through the regular channels. Singer Lengualerta has been on the scene and travelling the world for 10 years. As well as numerous concerts in his native country, he has performed live in South America, Canada and Europe – and left a lasting impression wherever he appeared. In the past few months, in Mexico and around the world, the track For Those (featuring Wally Warning & Ana Sol II) has become a hymn for the protests against the disappearance of the 43 students from Ayotzinapa. The song’s impact was further enhanced by the touching and atmospheric video, directed by the artist’s friend and colleague, Gran OM, who also designed the excellent cover artwork for Aurora. Lengualerta’s music unites reggae with the culture of Latin American protest songs. Latin American influences, for instance Cumbia, repeatedly surface in his music. This broad spectrum underscores Lengualerta’s position as a cosmopolitan and visionary. His choice of riddims also spans the world: as well as his main producer, Dukas (Bungalo Dub), the album also features productions by Ganjaman, Pow Pow – Ingo Rheinbay, Twilight Circus and Seeed.

The situation in Mexico is desperate. For many years, different drug cartels have battled each other and government forces for supremacy. Murders, rapes, kidnappings and assassinations take place on a daily basis, the visible signs of this all-encompassing brutality. Against this background, it is encouraging that many people are prepared to risk their lives by taking a stance against violence, and particularly against the corruption that has infiltrated every level of the public services, as many officials are in collusion with the cartels. A strong counter movement has also emerged in the art scene. Alongside other artists, Lengualerta frequently appears in the front line of these protests. He pinpoints what is wrong in society, and is not afraid to tackle the painful issue of what is rotten in the state. Eloquent, outspoken and effective, he voices his protest and passion in tight, clean and moving sounds.

The European version of Aurora contains four bonus tracks from the critically acclaimed predecessor, Resonante. One particularly fat track is Musik Monks (2 Da People), based on a riddim by Seeed.

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