If Bach can go Moog, so can cumbia!

This surprisingly funky novelty tune has one of those break-beat intros that loop makers drool for and is hardly recognizable from its original 60s version by Los Falcons (worth checking out for its dark syncopated beauty). The weird synth noodles and chipmunk chorus vocals only add to the “what the?” factor (in a good way!). Lyrics sketch a night time party on the beach with drink and dance, with the smell of sea salt, the beat of the drums, and the rustle of swaying palm leaves providing a natural stimulant for the proceedings.

The B-side of Cumbias en Moog’s sole 45 is equally brilliant. Like the A side, this gem is a radically updated costeño classic, with crazy synth noodles, scratchy guitar looping and odd vocals (this time wordless, sounding like a Mellotron). The only thing wrong is it’s too short!

Hats off to Fruko and Fuentes for letting this experiment in Afro-modernization happen.