Venezuelan born Alex Figueira is no stranger to the cavernous depths of 1970’s tropical music. Though primarily known for the internationally acclaimed Psych outfit Fumaça Preta, Figueira is no less committed to experimentation and provocation with his other group, Conjunto Papa Upa. In this formation, he digs deeply into the buried traditions of his native country, connecting the dots that were left hanging in the 500+ years of Afro-Caribbean musical cross-pollination, bringing these roots into totally unpredictable, uncharted (and exciting) territory. The astonishing thing is the band’s gritty sound (frenetic percussion, guitar, organ and bass) combines familiar elements people know and like in a way they have never heard (but will instantly freak out to): African and Caribbean rhythms, psychedelia, surf, samba, old school salsa, funk and sarcastic lyrics that cleverly portrait the complexity of the current socio-political situation in Venezuela....
read more
Venezuelan born Alex Figueira is no stranger to the cavernous depths of 1970’s tropical music. Though primarily known for the internationally acclaimed Psych outfit Fumaça Preta, Figueira is no less committed to experimentation and provocation with his other group, Conjunto Papa Upa. In this formation, he digs deeply into the buried traditions of his native country, connecting the dots that were left hanging in the 500+ years of Afro-Caribbean musical cross-pollination, bringing these roots into totally unpredictable, uncharted (and exciting) territory. The astonishing thing is the band’s gritty sound (frenetic percussion, guitar, organ and bass) combines familiar elements people know and like in a way they have never heard (but will instantly freak out to): African and Caribbean rhythms, psychedelia, surf, samba, old school salsa, funk and sarcastic lyrics that cleverly portrait the complexity of the current socio-political situation in Venezuela.
The end result is an irresistibly danceable meld that manages to be vintage and futuristic, both scary and fun at the same time.
I et rustent caribisk 70’er rumskib tager Conjunto Papa Upa dig med på en hæsblæsende psykedelisk rejse fra Venezuelas kogende strande til det soniske grænseland mellem Angola og Congo.
Venezuelansk fødte Alex Figueira er af de fleste kendt fra det tropiske 70’er psych-band Fumaça Preta, men han er bestemt ikke mindre dedikeret til musikalsk provokation og eksperimentelle udskejelser med sin gruppe Conjunto Papa Upa. Med et solidt fundament i oprindelige venezuelanske traditioner, bringer han sine musikalske rødder ind i nutidige og helt uforudsigelige sammenhænge.
Conjunto Papa Upa lyder - efter Figueiras egen beskrivelse - som en psykedelisk rejse i et rustent caribisk 70’er rumskib, besat af en skør voodoo-præst, på vej fra Venezuelas varme strande til grænselandet mellem Angola og Congo. Det billede virker faktisk også ganske rammende, når man hører gruppens hæsblæsende mix af hektisk percussion, forvrænget guitar, groovy bas og det distinkte psykedeliske orgel der danner rammen om hele instrumental-delen. Conjunto Papa Upa trækker på både caribiske rytmer, samba, oldschool salsa, surf og funk. De fængende kompositioner følges til dørs af Figueiras både kritiske og sarkastiske tekster, der kredser om Venezuelas komplekse socio-politiske situation.
Conjunto Papa Upas liveshows og deres hidtidige udgivelser, to 45” singler udsendt på Music With Soul Records, er gået rent ind hos publikum. Du kan godt glæde dig til en forrygende excentrisk koncert med gruppen, når de rammer ALICE til september.
Sagt om Conjunto Papa Upa:
“It’s hard to believe that this has been recorded nowadays. It sounds like Santana before their first album. It’s like a combo of spooky and upbeat at the same time. Great job!”
- ALT LATINO, NPR Radio, USA.
“You're gonna get hooked instantly, this is tropical music at its best, irresistible on a dancefloor”.
- PARIS DJ’S Website, France.
show less
