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Cover of Bailando Despacio

Album · 2015

Bailando Despacio

by Max Solano

Slow-dance grooves and dembow-lite swing: the record that took a Medellín street party to international radio.

Tracks

  1. 1. Picnic Blanket FiestaA blanket, some lemon slices, and a groove so relaxed it nearly lies down. This is the opener because it sets the pace for everything.latin pop, dembow-lite2:26
  2. 2. Churros at the CornerCinnamon on the air and a rhythm you can eat with your hands. The handclap pattern on this one is the one I teach every night.latin pop, handclap pop, dembow-lite2:42
  3. 3. Hammock HelloRope, palm trees and zero plans. I let the soul side of my voice out here for the first time on a big record.soul-pop, tropical soul2:24
  4. 4. Lemon Tree Lullaby RumbaA rumba for a lemon tree that outshines everything in the garden. Silly and sweet, which is how I like it.latin pop, rumba-pop3:04
  5. 5. Dominoes on the DoorstepGrandpa slaps the tiles down like a drummer. I just stole his rhythm and added horns.latin pop, cumbia-pop2:35
  6. 6. Tortilla Flip TangoFlour on my cheek and a tango that does not take itself seriously. The kitchen was the best rehearsal room I ever had.latin pop, tango-pop2:18
  7. 7. Mariachi Alarm ClockTrumpets in the street at dawn, because the best alarm clock is a band. We got the whole trio shouting on the chorus.latin pop, mariachi-pop, anthemic pop3:17
  8. 8. Flower Stall FlamencoBuckets of marigolds and a little flamenco hand-stamping. The florist swears she's in the second verse.latin pop, flamenco-pop2:23
  9. 9. Postcard From the Porch SwingA porch swing creak is the best percussion there is. I wrote this one slowly with coffee on the railing.soul-pop, acoustic soul2:13
  10. 10. Lighthouse Morning MamboA mambo for fishermen waving at the sunrise. It closes the record bright and confident, like a handshake.latin pop, mambo-pop, salsa-pop2:32

Liner notes

Bailando Despacio is where I stopped hurrying. A producer friend taught me to leave space in the groove, so the handclaps got room to breathe and the tenor got to sit closer to the microphone. We kept the brass but tucked it behind the beat like a friend at the back of the dance floor. Radio picked up the title track in places I had never heard of, and suddenly strangers were clapping the pattern back to me.

Max Solano