LATINAOTEAROA ‘Under The Sun (feat. MELODOWNZ)’
Written by Admin on July 23, 2018
“From the smooth salsa of Oscar D’Leon to the rolling guaracha of Celia Cruz and the groove of Jorge Ben, Latinaotearoa is all about our influences. The artists playing on the radio while growing up in South America inspired us to embark upon our musical journey. Today, these unique rhythms fuel us – in the studio, on stage and throughout life. This album acknowledges the positive effect these musicians have had on our Aotearoa band. By creating Latin inspired collaborations with some of New Zealand’s finest musicians, we hope to one day help influence the next generation.” – Bobby Brazuka
Latinaotearoa have embarked on their most adventurous project yet – an almost spiritual journey through the latin and soul influences that inspired their musical careers. The album is a collection of original songs that Brazilian band leader Bobby Brazuka and Venezualan front woman Jennifer Zea selected to be given the LatinAotearoa treatment, alongside a host of handpicked collaborators. Influencis et Collabis covers a broad range of genres, from traditional South American styles like samba and bossa nova to modern soul and hip hop.
All the way from Avondale, half-Samoan, half-Māori hip hop lyricist Bronson Price aka MeloDownz is a storyteller with a uniquely Auckland sound. A year on from the release of his first solo EP Avontales, has generated a following that has seen him take the stage at Northern Bass and Laneway Festival, as well as headline slots across the country and shows alongside his friend and collaborator Noah Slee in Europe.
Bobby says of the collaboration: ” It was a beautiful musical bridge between genres and styles. Melodownz’s rap just made the song sound smooth and it connected so well with Jennifer’s vocals.”
The nine explorative tracks which make up Influencis Et Collabis’ blends distinct South American flavours with the innovative brilliance of some of New Zealand’s most talented musicians. The result is an album that redefines the boundaries of modern latin music – with Aotearoa being its new frontier.
Latinaotearoa: WEB / FACEBOOK / TWITTER
YOUTUBE / SPOTIFY / BANDCAMP / iTUNES
To celebrate the release, the band are taking their unique brand of latin soul on the road:
Thursday July 26th – Album Listening at Ante Social (Auckland)
Friday July 27th – Darkroom (Christchurch)*
Saturday July 28th – Wonder (Queenstown)*
Friday August 3rd – Laundry (Wellington)*
Saturday August 4th – The Common Room (Hawkes Bay)*
Friday August 10th – Whammy Bar (Auckland)*
Saturday August 11th – Sly Fox (Sydney)
Sunday August 12th – Section 8 (Melbourne)
*Tickets on sale from undertheradar.co.nz