More Grip

Amazon review
Transplanted Brit Richard Blair was living in Colombia when he discovered the treasure trove of phenomenal beats in that country. Working with Bogotá band Bloque's main man, Ivan Benavides, Blair channels the essence of Colombian soul through an 808. His modernization technique works well, because the drum machines' fuel-injecting tracks, such as "Bacalao sala'o" are always subtle, never overwhelming the spirit of the music. Guest performers include the Aterciopelados' Andrea Echeverri and Hector Buitrago as well as many Colombian percussion greats and traditional singers, so the album has major local flavor. More Grip is like Cali salsa on strong coffee, no jitters. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Product Description
Sidestepper is the Alter Ego of Musician/Producer Richard Blair. On 'More Grip' Blair Achieves a Unique Fusion of Colombian Rhythms and Melodies with a UK Dance Sensibility.

Tracks:

Andando
La Bara
Hoy Tenemos
Bacalao Sala'o
Linda Manigua
Me Muero
Chevere Q'Chevere
Sidestepper
Campo
Tremendo Vacilon

Amazon review

Transplanted Brit Richard Blair was living in Colombia when he discovered the treasure trove of phenomenal beats in that country. Working with Bogotá band Bloque's main man, Ivan Benavides, Blair channels the essence of Colombian soul through an 808. His modernization technique works well, because the drum machines' fuel-injecting tracks, such as "Bacalao sala'o" are always subtle, never overwhelming the spirit of the music. Guest performers include the Aterciopelados' Andrea Echeverri and Hector Buitrago as well as many Colombian percussion greats and traditional singers, so the album has major local flavor. More Grip is like Cali salsa on strong coffee, no jitters. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Album Details

Sidestepper is the Alter Ego of Musician/Producer Richard Blair. On 'More Grip' Blair Achieves a Unique Fusion of Colombian Rhythms and Melodies with a UK Dance Sensibility.

Customer Reviews:

When Colombia and the UK meet.......2001-11-09

Cumbia, the most well known music from Colombia, here gets a great dance treatment from Sidestepper's Richard Blair of the UK. But Colombians don't confine themselves to cumbia; they love Caribbean salsa as well, and Blair injects both here with hefty doses of snappy studio technology. Tasty native flavors are supplied by a host of Colombians--and other Latin Americans--including, among others, Ivan Benavides and Teto Ocampo from Colombia's best rock band, Bloque.

It's not often that cumbia and salsa get revamped this well. Grab it and dance!

The Future Of Latin?.......2000-07-11

Sidestepper, a project from producer Richard Blair, to fuse dance beats and funky latin grooves. This album works, latin is so funky its so cool, its beats are so shakin that this album is so good. You get the to get all the best bits from latin, and then band you hear a beat you hear in clubs.