Tradition in Transition

Written by Ashknuckles on Tuesday, 30 June 2009 22:18

I’m going back to Cali, by way of a Quantic soundtrack and motion picture story telling by director Brian Cross. In this descriptive, visual demographic flip book, B+ does it again, by expressing alternative truths in the absence of words. Sure, it’s easy to capture obvious beauty and scenery, as well as the ordinary horse's ass. But can you capture Electric Jesus, Black Mary, and musical moving chairs? This film will literally have you seeing fireworks, as well as float your boat. We’ve all heard of “tree huggers,” but you’ve never really seen real ones in action until Tradition in Transition: A postcard from Cali, Columbia.
     From supernatural mountain fog, to subtle momentary pauses on feminine bloom, you will learn more about Cali Columbia in 30 minutes, than you will memorizing a Colombian geographic chart. Crate diggers might want to check themselves when they start feeling the Pavlov effect as Quantic elaborates about his Colombian record binge - please wipe the drool.
     The footage cuts to Alfredo “Sabor” Linares. Linares was originally born in Lima, Peru. In the late 60’s he recorded some of the illest afro-latin jazz and dance music ever on the MAG label. He also played piano and arranged on Coco Lagos Descargas and El Combo de Pepe, which were later re-released on Lazarus. Linares moved to Cali in the early 70’s, only to have his second wind, but this time it was called “Salsa.” Watching Linares put it down live with Quantic is a real treat for any real hardcore music head that dug what Linares did during his early years. A couple decades later, a short film, repeated record binges, and Alfredo Linares is still off the hinges.
     This cinematic piece of art wouldn’t be anything without the incredible and divine Nidia Gongora. With the face of an angel, Nidia lights up the screen with her pure vibe, voice, and her words “No Maria, no me llevo,” (no Maria, don't take me). A talent so refined, yet so raw and untouched, is captured eloquently and perfectly by the hands and eyes of Mochilla. A short film, Tradition in Transition, also elucidates the relevance of technology in today’s music and film making. Revealing Quantic's fascinating creative process which ranges from utilizing a tiny bathroom sized studio to using personal laptops to record. It is incredible to witness how it is now possible to record entire orchestras in a completely different country with a skeleton crew.
     Flashing lights (but it’s not Kanye), discoteca y tambora, dancing babies, cuttin’ coconuts, twisting knobs, horns, congo & bells. Bass meter, guasa, percussion, guitar one, guitar two - It’s all in there. All you have to do is watch the postcard.