TRU RUTS/SPEAKEASY RECORDS presents ‘THE COMMON PAST’
DEBUT ALBUM from Global Fusion Group QUILOMBOLAS
March 3rd marks the official release of, The Common Past, the long awaited debut album of global fusion group, Quilomobolas, and the 10th album release from innovative underground record label, Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records. Called ‘the auditory equivalent of a really tasty fusion restaurant’, the multilingual band melds Afro-Brazilian, Rock, World Beat, Afro-Funk and Hip Hop sounds. Appreciated for the new sound they’ve brought to the Minneapolis scene, critics have called them “…as intriguing a trio as you’re apt to come by for quite a while. These guys are serious to the bone with cold-blooded chops. Their groove has a Band of Gypsys feel – sharp, elemental funk with wizened, coat-pulling lyrics.” (Dwight Hobbes).
Members of the group share a diasporic background that includes Brazilian, African American and Israeli ancestry. Shelia Regan, of the Twin Cities Daily Planet, writes, “True to the spirit of their name, the Minneapolis band Quilombolas have a sense of defiance, and also a sense of freedom. The band’s style is passionate, satirical, and very entertaining. Blending Brazilian rhythms, hip-hop, Israeli melodies, and funk, Quilombolas create a unique sound with smart lyrics and a danceable beat.” Lead singer, Eric Silva Berimba comments, “Quilombolas’ music is about blending, mixture, and harmony. It is music that doesn’t conveniently fit into one particular genre, but fuses many styles. A musical feijoada or jambalaya.”
The album co-produced by Paul Harding, of Near and Far Records, features performances by Maria Isa (Sota Rico) and Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria (Palabristas). Reminiscent of albums of the 60s and 70s, mixing musicality with a message, with a new twist for a new time, the album doesn’t pull any punches in its lyrics. Berimba comments, “Lyrics for ‘Quero a Paz’ were written in a cemetery in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2003 shortly before attacks on Iraq began. An eerie premonition of things to come…There’s still plenty of work to do regarding liberty and equality for all but making politically conscious multilingual music is the vision behind the work.” Tru Ruts label exec, e.g. bailey, adds “With it’s melding of varied traditions and cultures, the essence of Quilombolas and it’s music is the striving for a more humane world.”
Celebrating the global legacy of unity and diversity, Quilombolas is ready to make its mark with this first offering. It’s sure to draw fans of established acts such as Ozomatli, Michael Franti, Manu Chao, Kassin+2, Chico Science, Nação Zumbi and others. Rob Van Alstyne writes, “…the global pop mash up masters in local outfit Quilombolas blend funky horns, traditional Latin American rhythms and hip hop into a worldly mixture of sounds that’s hard to neatly categorize but easy to enjoy and certain to appeal to fans of similarly ambitious groups like Ozomatli.” The album is available at Electric Fetus, Cheapos, Fifth Element, CD Baby and directly from Tru Ruts at myspace.com/truruts.
Rock inspired-Global music ensemble, Quilombolas, has been steadily building an audience over the last several years, and has been featured at the Twin Cities’ Afrifest, the Earthfusion Festival, on Fox 9 Morning News, in addition to collaborating with noted Twin Cities artists including Maria Isa, Truthmaze, e.g. bailey, Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria, and others. They recently featured at the Mid American Music Festival, the Ripple Effect festival and Vive Minnesota! El Festival, in addition to opening for PM Dawn.
For more information, see myspace.com/truruts, myspace.com/quilombolas. Interviews, booking inquiries or promotional copies can be directed to Tru Ruts at info@truruts.com or 612-288-9491.
TRU RUTS | SPEAKEASY RECORDS 