Exotic Other is the debut album from London-based four-piece Animanz and Argentinian and Congolese vocalist Juanita Euka. Featuring nine infectious funk-infused tracks, the album is a dynamic journey through rocking exotica. Flavours from rhumba, cumbia and merengue to the punk attitude and electro energy of the club-funk sound of title track Exotic Other represent the fast-paced and diverse nature of their home of London.
Started as a collaborative project between childhood friends Max Rodriguez (guitar), Joshua Brandler (bass), Marc Goymour (keys) and Andrea Gucel (drums), Animanz was formed in 2013 when they threw themselves out into London's multi-layered music scene. Since then the band have grown to encompass a genre smashing collective which welcomes guest performers from all over the world, and the musicians they've met along this varied path have provided the band with a vehicle to help them develop their multi-textured approach to rhythm.
Animanz explain: We write party tunes, so the groove and energy are the most important things. Everything else just fits around that. The album is also very conscientious, and finds itself rooted deeply within our times, like London it is music to both get lost in and inspired by what the band call a melting pot; an all-inclusive party for everyone.
