Cremosonic Cuernavaca

26/09/06

At times it is almost too easy to focus on the music scene as being contained within el DF.  Capital city arrogance usually comes hand in hand with ignorance of what is happening away from the megalopolis. 

Even the more enlightened at times only raise their horizons to include major cities such as Monterrey, Guadalajara or Tijuana.  To consider Cuernavaca as a core contributor to the New Mexican scene would seem somewhat far fetched seeing as it is a provincial town more associated with swimming pools and fincas than rock and roll.

In fact Cuernavaca has developed a reasonably strong music scene both within the context of rock and electronica.  Perhaps the tendency towards dance is helped by the weekly influx of “weekend warriors” looking for a good time.

The main backbone of the scene is Cremosonic, an artists collective set up in 1998.  Its main focus is on music but also involves the input of related disciplines such as graphic design, IT, cinema and performance art.

The collective provides a platform for expression for the artists involved to promote their work both domestically and internationally.  It includes representatives not only in Cuernavaca but in el DF and Puebla as well as in other countries in Latin America and beyond.

Since 2004 the label has taken on a new impressive momentum, releasing 30 albums in mp3 form through their website:

www.cremosonic.com

During this incredibly prolific period there have been two comprehensive compilations of New Mexican music.  “Antijitos Mexicanos Vols 1 + 2” are not only impressive due to the range of style of music included but also due to the insight of Alejandro Gonzalez (Aletz) and Armando Ballinas (Dosantos) in selecting some of the best new talent. 

The first volume was released in 2004 containing 38 tracks.  The album is an exciting collection of musical styles from bands at many different stages of development.  It is a testament to the vision and persistence of Altez in bringing so many artists from so many labels (and the unsigned) together. 

With groups like Jacuzzi, sr mandril, quiero club and faca it could be said that Cremosonic is somewhat “ahead of the curve” in terms of predicting the bands that will make major contributions to the Mexican scene in the future. 

Within this context the release of the second volume of “Antijitos Mexicanos” in February 2006 should be considered with a new level of interest and respect.  Casa Wagner, Album, Maniqui Lazer and Silencios Incomodos are all included amongst the 61 tracks; all bands that have been going from strength to strength during the past year.

Once again the range of style within the collection is immense and is a considered cross-section on the quality of music being produced within Mexico at the moment; encapsulated by the helpful advice to file under:

“Compilation / rock / electronica / house / ambient / lounge / punk / fusion / ska / funk/ techno / drum & bass / pop / cumbia”

Certainly Cremosonic deserve exposure for the role that they are playing in supporting New Mexican music as the blurb on the first Antijitos Mexicanos compilation states:

“una analogía entre la riqueza y variedad de los antojitos mexicanos y la diversidad de músicos (de diversos géneros) en nuestro país.”

“an anthology between the of the richness and variety of Mexican snacks and the diversity of musicans (from a range of genres) in other country.”

Especially with the addition of the second volume in 2006 one is provided with a “downloadable feast” of the best of what the independent scene here has to offer.