Search - Sidestepper :: 3am: In Beats We Trust

Cool beats for summer grooving

John W. Warren | Santa Monica, CA USA | 05/24/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the latest in a string of discs that blur the boundaries between formerly distinct genres. Witness the Gotan Project's blend of tango and electronica, Bebel Gilberto's updating of bossa nova for the 21st century, or Madredeus' excellent disc of ambient-Fado, "Electronico." Here we have a tasteful "mojito" of salsa and electronic beats. If you are a purist, please pass--you'll be disappointed. Neither is it pounding house music. Instead, plaintive vocals and sultry violins mix with lively beats and touches of electronica. Not every track is a standout, but cuts such as "Deja," "Dame tu Querer" and "Donde Va Mi Corazón" are well worth the price of admission."

Me Gusta!!!

L. M. Shoman | Washington, DC United States | 06/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the real "papaya" - hot sizzling, slick, slamming, and yet clever and cool - crosscutting and genre-bending. It is a must have for any lover of musica latina, jazz/soul, as well reggae/dancehall and a lotta funky attitude. The disc should have a warning that this is not for the musically challenged or the pigeonholer of styles... and if you are sitting still for Mas Papaya, then Papi, e'tas muerto - better grab a defibrillator!! Buy it, you will like eet!"

This Is Not Future World....This Is Now!!

Dj David BoNobO | Los Angeles | 02/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What the world needs now is a clever and sharp Brit producer who knows how to find the rare talent that can create a fusion of Carribbean music for the 21st Century. Fortunately, with Richard Blair and Co., we have it here, and no one mixes electronica with traditional Latin beats better than Sidestepper. This disc has more downtempo smokey tracks than their last effort "More Grip," and the albumn demonstrates a greater stretch in scope of the musical territory it covers. Similarly, for those who can grasp the Spanish here, the songs show greater depth. However, if you're looking for la candela de bailar that "More Grip" presented, you should look to the tracks Mas Papaya and Me Gustas. Here they set things on fire in a way that even Campo from "More Grip" could not. The way Mas Papaya fuses Cumbia with Dancehall should even make Celso Piña envious, and Me Gustas hits it "on the one" with a funky African flavored joint you will struggle to get out of your head (or feet as the case may be!). If the new songs they are now playing live are any indication, the Afro thang seems to be the prevailing wind for the direction they are headed for the new albumn. I can't wait to see what suprises they will deliver for us with that one!"