One of the greatest discoveries from the 2009 edition of the Latin Alternative Music Conference in New York, Colombia’s Bomba Estereo expands on the sonic mix presented by fellow Colombians Aterciopelados (the Latin American country—second only to Brazil and Mexico in exporting musical talent—also gave us names like Shakira and Juanes) by blending their native Cumbia with electronic sounds, rap, rock and other genres.
The group sounds better on stage than they do in the studio. Lead vocalist Li Saumet (a petite woman who looks barely out of her teens) has immediate rapport with the audience in spite of the fact that their tunes are sung in Spanish. Bassist/bandleader Simon Mejia has strong chops, and the rest of the group provides a solid backdrop for Saumet’s musical ideas. (Ernest Barteldes)
July 26, Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, (312)742-5222. 6:30pm. Free.
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