The Anglo-Colombian troupe led by Richard Blair have been pioneers of the electro-Latin sound, mixing beats with Colombia’s loping, accordion-led cumbia. Here, Sidestepper take a contrary turn with an essentially acoustic set shot through with unobtrusive electronica and led by melodic female vocals. There are hand drums, shakers, flutes, call-and-response chants, and a palpable atmosphere of Bogotá’s historic quarter where it was cut. Acoustic or not, the killer grooves remain (try Lover or the title track), though downbeat pieces like Hear the Rain Come may need warmer weather to appreciate. It’s a joyous affair that for Blair comes from “a mystic place I didn’t know I had access to”. Arch modernist goes organic.
