Ego

This international collective formed 15 years ago in Brussels to explore their Afro-Colombian roots and fuse traditional rhythms with the contemporary sounds of rock, hip-hop and electronic music. Reputedly an explosive live act, the latest album is palpably a studio creation: its dozen numbers are meticulously (de)constructed and produced for maximum drama. The result can be dark, introspective and experimental, even downright challenging – ‘Mugre’, for example, sounds like punishment by flogging. But it’s captivating stuff. ‘Vibration is Life’ is a standout collaboration with the Panamanian musician, Cienfue; ‘Yo Vuelo Al Revés’ bends and refracts the music, while ‘Llegó’ fragments and deconstructs it as if Lee Perry were at the controls. Musical director, Rafael Espinel, handles most of the lead vocals with able support from guest singers like Argentinian Natalia Doco, on the excellent ‘Bombón’, and Colombian Guadalupe Giraldo Hincapié, on the hyperactive ‘Vente Tu’. Very inter-es-ting!