Meridian Brothers, the project of adventurous composer, multi-instrumentalist and electronics geek Eblis Álvarez, released yesterday a brand new album. Entitled Mi Latinoamérica Sufre, it sees Álvarez journey beyond Colombian and Latin American musical traditions and tap into African highlife and soukous traditions. As the press release describes, “the result is a collection of intricate compositions weaving elements of cumbia, champeta, soukous, Brazilian tropicalia, and underground psychedelic rock within the Afro-Latino guitar band format”.
Keeping the usual Meridian Brothers’ humorous tone, Mi Latinoamérica Sufre is a concept album, exploring themes of self-discovery and identity. Enhanced with visual narratives from Colombian artist Mateo Rivano, the album portrays psychological states of disorientation, self-pity, enlightenment, and optimism.
For a taster of what’s on offer, check out a couple of tracks from the album, ‘Mandala’ and ‘Sé que estoy cambiando’. Both tracks are offered with video accompaniments, the latter directed by Álvarez and ‘Mandala’ directed by Mateo Rudas & Santiago Rudas.
Mi Latinoamérica Sufre is out now through Ansonia Records and Bongo Joe.