Son Palenque - Ma Kamajan Ri Música Ri Palengue (2012)

Son Palenque is an iconic Afro-Colombian band, founded in the early 1980s in Cartagena by singer and composer Justo Valdez. The seven-piece group, all from the historic village of San Basilio de Palenque, has recorded eight albums blending traditional Afro-Colombian music with African and psychedelic influences. Their music incorporates a range of rhythms like cumbia, chalupa, bullerengue, and lumbalú, reflecting the deep African roots of their culture, particularly from Central African Bantu tribes.

San Basilio de Palenque, established by runaway slaves in 1706, is a cultural stronghold where African traditions and the Afro-Hispanic Creole language thrive. Son Palenque’s music, often sung in Palenquero, captures this rich heritage. Their work has been widely reissued in Europe, featured in compilations like "Palenque, Palenque" on Soundway Records. Justo Valdez, a descendant of renowned Palenque musicians, has led the group through decades of innovation, blending local rhythms with global influences.

The band’s early releases on labels like Orbe and Felito Records pioneered a new path for Afro-Colombian music, integrating sounds from Africa, the Caribbean, and Soukous from Congo. Son Palenque continues to explore these musical traditions, with their latest album set for release in 2012 on Palenque Records. This label, known for promoting Afro-Colombian music worldwide, also produced albums for artists like Paulino Salgado and Tabalá Sextet.

Tracklist:
1-1. Son Palenque - Adiós Batata (06:34)
1-2. Son Palenque - A Pila el Arroz (05:59)
1-3. Son Palenque - Zamba (06:27)
1-4. Son Palenque - Agua'ta (05:42)
1-5. Son Palenque - Yo Minindo (04:34)
1-6. Son Palenque - El Calabongo (04:53)
1-7. Son Palenque - La Negra (05:21)
1-8. Son Palenque - Margarita (07:07)
1-9. Son Palenque - Chimbumbe (06:11)
1-10. Son Palenque - Cho Fao (05:38)
1-11. Son Palenque - Ita Cole (04:32)
1-12. Son Palenque - Chimbumbe (Remix) (04:30)