Novalima - Coba Coba (Cumbancha)

Coba Coba is the ninth release from Jacob Edgar’s (formerly of Putumayo) Cumbancha label.  A very welcome player on the World Music scene, Cumbancha’s evolving catalogue is particularly rich in artists, such as Dobet Gnahoré, Chiwoniso and Habib Koité, who offer a contemporary, urban twist on deeply rooted musical traditions.  In this spirit, Lima-based Novalima use percussion rich Afro-Peruvian folkloric music as the foundation over which to layer bass, electric guitar, beat programming (courtesy of Nitin Sawhney / Bebel Gilberto collaborator Toni Economides) and the memorable vocals of Milagros Guerrero.  At times Coba Coba strays into Afro-Cuban and salsa territory.  Some of these excursions are less satisfying than others.  On occasion the electronics (which mark particular tracks for inclusion on those ‘global groove’ compilations that seem to be the mainstay of fancy martini vending downtown lounges everywhere) can be a little intrusive and cliché.  Otherwise, particularly on the less ‘busy’ tracks, Coba Coba is a solid recording.