Ondatrópica

Ondatrópica is a Colombian group formed by Mario Galeano of Frente Cumbiero and English producer Will Holland, known as Quantic. It works around cumbia and Latin music, and is based in Colombia.

Project background

The group begins as a collaboration commissioned after the success of Frente Cumbiero Meets Mad Professor. It is supported by the British Council and is intended to explore and expand Colombian tropical music, combining traditional Colombian sounds with elements associated with London production.

Music and personnel

The project brings together musicians from different generations of Colombian music. Its line-up includes Mario Galeano and Juan Carlos Puello, along with younger Colombian musicians and Quantic. Among the artists involved are Fruko, Anibal Velásquez, Michi Sarmiento, Alfredito Linares, Pedro Ramayá Beltran, Markitos Mikolta and Wilson Viveros.

The recording process uses analogue methods, including vintage microphones, and involves engineer and producer Mario Rincón, who is associated with notable recordings from the 1970s. The work is centred on the Discos Fuentes studio in Medellín, a studio with a long history and links to acts such as Los Corraleros de Majagual, Joe Arroyo, Andrés Landero and Afrosound.

Development of the project

Ondatrópica develops in three phases: the first focuses on recording the material, the second forms Los Irreales de Ondatrópica as a ten-piece band combining older and newer styles, and the final phase presents the project in London. The group also prepares material based on Discos Fuentes repertoire.