El León Pardo is the project of Jorge Emiliano Pardo, who has a remarkably rich musical history, including stints with groups like Ondatrópica, Curupira, Frente Cumbiero and the UK/Colombian Mestizo project. Inspired by Colombian folklore, the Cartagena-born, Bogotá-based trumpeter, flautist and multi-instrumentalist created his El León Pardo project in 2013, bringing to compositional fruition Latin American rhythms and sounds melded with elements of psychedelia and jazz improvisation. With a love for the kuisi, an indigenous wind instrument from Colombia’s Caribbean coast, which has become a symbol of resistance, El León Pardo always holds on to his instrument. Next month he is releasing a new album titled Viaje Sideral (Space Voyage), described as “an astral journey in which the kuisi is the vehicle and the life force of the rhythm”. Releasing on March 21st through AYA Records, Viaje Sideral pays “tribute to the psychedelia of the tropical world of the Caribbean in the 1970s and 80s”, whilst also embracing influences from artists like Terry Riley, Kraftwerk and Mad Professor.

Last week saw El León Pardo release a second single from his upcoming album called ‘Cumbia Espacial’, featuring Colombian rapper N. Hardem. A treat for the ears, ‘Cumbia Espacial’ is a burst of celestial radiance. The single is offered with an accompanying animated video made by Santiago Amaya Quimbayo. Watch it now.