Earthtones - We Can Live Together (2024)

“We Can Live Together is the first full LP by Earthtones on Wonderwheel. The title is a message, a prayer, and a vision for humanity. It is a reminder that we are in this life together, that love binds us all, and it is only the ideologies and social systems built to prohibit our ability to recognize how close we are that hold us back. We can live, together.

The record is based in Folkloric Futurism, a movement that explores the convergence of global folk traditions with technology. Channeling the influence of proto House & Techno pioneers like Mr. Fingers, Kevin Saunderson and Inner City, Earthtones combines analog synthesizers & vintage drum machines with folkloric vocals and instrumentation in a way uniquely his own. It's a celebration of the intersection of past and future, here and there, ancestry and technology. It celebrates themes of spirituality, feminism, love, and most of all, peace.

Highlights include “Ọ̀sanyìn”, a prayer to the Orisha Ossain, with Maikel Alberto Salazar of rumba super-group Obbatuké on vocals. Recorded in Santiago De Cuba, the track is evocative of Mala’s classic “Mala In Cuba” album that broke down barriers between electronic music & traditional music. “La Mujer Serpiente”, having seen a sellout 7” last year features Polaris prize winning artist Lido Pimienta-behind the live cumbia rhythms, bass synths, analog keys, 808 drums & guitars, the vision of this track is one of uplifting womxn and femmes everywhere. Ancestral and contemporary Colombian voices are present on the mid-tempo dancefloor track that is the single “Limones” with Semblanzas Del Rio Guapi, Oliwa & the chugging analog rap soundscapes of “Quiero Que Mami” with Verito Asprilla . The album also touches into ambient moments (“Song of the Wind” , Waves”) – inspired by friends Carlos Nino, Matthew David, Colloboh and the vibrant West Coast environmental sound movement.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Earthtones - Deià Dream (2:44)
1.02 - Earthtones - Ọ̀sanyìn (3:10)
1.03 - Lido Pimienta, Oliwa, Earthtones - La Mujer Serpiente (3:55)
1.04 - Earthtones, Verito Asprilla - Quiero Que Mami (4:23)
1.05 - Oliwa, Earthtones, Semblanzas del Rio Guapi, Numu - Limones (5:46)
1.06 - Earthtones - Deià Dream II (3:42)
1.07 - Earthtones, Etsegenet Mekonnen - Selam (Dub) (3:18)
1.08 - Earthtones - Salta La Cuerda (4:16)
1.09 - Earthtones - Song of the Wind (2:08)
1.10 - Earthtones, Etsegenet Mekonnen - Selam (4:01)
1.11 - Earthtones - Waves (2:28)