Sidestepper is the alter-ego of UK-to-Columbia transplant producer Richard Blair. His eclectic Latin beats collective Sidestepper is back with a brand new single available for free download and a smattering of West Coast dates. His new Palm Pictures single Paloma - download it for free here: www.palmpictures.com/sidestepper .
Paloma is a hypnotic afro-latin groove with sexy male/female call & response, sophisticated rhythmic syncopations and horn arrangements reminiscent of Fela. Paloma (dove, in Spanish) is often used as a metaphor for unrequited love, as singer Ivan Benavides demonstrates on the track. The form and melody, the horns and the lyrics are all very Colombian, coming from a tradition of popular dance music derived from Colombian Cumbia. The groove was inspired by a few 70's funk tunes in Richard Blair’s collection. While working on beats that could maintain this funky feel yet adapted to the Colombian swing, Richard created Paloma in a style that is basically Cumbia and dancehall with a little Afro-beat. Road-tested at sound system parties, where Richard dj'd with live percussion, rappers, guitar and even horns, the beat was a solid hit, and when Ivan and Richard began to compose for a forthcoming album, they knew I was always going to be "ranking." In other words, boom! Sidestepper is the brainchild of UK-to-Colombia transplant producer Richard Blair, who has been living and working in Colombia for more than 10 years. Sidestepper’s pioneering trail has been blazing away since 1997, when Richard’s prowess as a musician, producer, engineer and DJ forged Sidestepper’s unique concept: a seductive blend of Latin, Afro-Colombian, Jamaican and electronic sounds, all filtered through the ears of an English dub-head. Live, Sidestepper is a thunderous blend of bass and beats, tropical, salsa, Vallenato and Cumbia vocals, dance, rap, guitar, drums and live dub effects.
Tour dates:
June 25 - Boonville CA - Sierra Nevada World Music Festival
June 28 - Davis CA - UC Davis
June 30 - San Francisco CA - The Independent
July 1 - Los Angeles CA - Grand Performances
July 2 - Los Angeles CA - Temple Bar
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