Somewhere between Captain Beefheart and Andean shaman, Julián Mayorga conjures a lengthy list of influences—from Quechua fables to The Residents—and filters them through the country’s diverse sonic palette to create a modern Colombian masterpiece.
Not only is Mayorga well-versed in the Latin American literary tradition, but he is also a master at delivering Macondian litanies straight out of a magical realism novel and does so in a melting pot of infectious rhythms (cumbia, vallenato, champeta) that will have anyone shaking to the manic tropical beats, but will more likely resonate with those with a grasp of the Spanish language.
Whether he’s shouting spells, recalling events, or producing minimal, acid-soaked guitar riffs, he seems possessed by the spirits of the sacred mountain. His songs are as lively, rich, and colorful as his homeland, yet their lyrics explore the heavy topics that have shaped the nation’s history.
The title of the album translates "when I have a fever I see the head of a magnificent leopard" and it's about migraines, surviving rivers of blood, swearing loyalty to the once-oppressors, "the natural delirium that is to be a Colombian" and how in spite of all things life dances on.
An absolutely essential record in my collection.
