Palenke Soultribe

Palenke Soultribe

Palenke Soultribe is a live electronic music group formed in Bogotá and based in Los Angeles. Active since 2005, it works at the intersection of electronic music, Afro-Colombian rhythm, melodies and Latin fusion, and is also described as a chillout and electronic act.

Formation and line-up

The group begins with producer and bassist Juan Diego Borda and keyboardist and producer Andres Popa Erazo, who first work together on demos in 2001 under the name Polaina Dinamita. That project creates underground attention in Bogotá for its experimental blend of electronica and Caribbean music. After separate projects, the pair reunite in Los Angeles in late 2006 under the name Palenke Soultribe, with a focus on Afro-Colombian rhythms rather than a broad Latin-American approach.

In 2009, drummer and percussionist Andres Zuluaga joins to complete the trio. The group also operates as a collective, bringing in guest producers, singers, songwriters and instrumentalists for shows and recordings. A verified member listing also names Argel Medina Cota.

Name and concept

The name Palenke Soultribe refers to San Basilio de Palenque, the village in Colombia associated with escaped slaves who formed a refuge in the 17th century. The term palenque means “walled city”. The second part of the name reflects the group’s idea of being a collective of musicians centred on soul and artistic collaboration.

Releases

The group’s first release is the vinyl EP Folkloric Deconstruktion in 2005, a four-track dance record with live accordion and Colombian percussion, issued independently by WC-Music and gaining attention in the Los Angeles DJ scene. It follows with Tropic and Heaven in 2007, a continuous mix CD of 10 tracks combining Colombian rhythms with electro breakbeats and house; it receives positive reviews and wins an Independent Music Award in the Dance/Electronica category.

Oro arrives in 2009 as the first professionally recorded album and the first part of a planned trilogy. It includes eight songs and collaborations with Cesar Pliego, Sr. Mendez, Locos Por Juana, Mr. Vallentao and Elastic Bond. The album is mixed by Mark Needham, who has worked with The Killers, Cake, Bloc Party and Fleetwood Mac. It is positively received by critics and listeners, draws attention from KCRW 89.9 and Billboard, and is nominated again for an Independent Music Award. KCRW also selects “No Voy a Morir” as a Today’s Top Tune.

Other listed releases include Melodie Lounge (compilation, 2005), Tropico y Cielo (remixes, 2008) and Wepalenke (EP, 2010).

Live profile and recognition

Palenke Soultribe is known for energetic live performances and for combining music with a strong visual and conceptual approach. In 2010 the group appears at South by Southwest in Austin, performs on Los Premios Shock alongside Superlitio and Locos Por Juana, and plays the Sunset Junction Street Festival. Its visibility in the Latin alternative scene grows through these performances and through its releases and remixes.

Later work

The group works on a compilation titled Palenque vs. Palenke, revisiting Afro-Colombian classics from San Basilio de Palenque and using original session recordings associated with Petrona Martinez, Batata, Son Palenque and Sexteto Tabala.