Drawing on the aural surroundings of South America, Prender el Alma — the self-produced and self-recorded debut album from Ecuador's Nicola Cruz — perfectly melds indigenous instrumentation and field recordings with modern production techniques into something reportedly called "Andes Step."
Following his collaboration with Nicolas Jaar's Clown & Sunset label, Ecuadorian-based producer Nicolá Cruz has self-produced and self-recorded this landmark album. Influenced by new digital technology, blended with local culture, Cruz builds his tracks layer by layer, instrument by instrument, drum by drum, exploring local indigenous and Afro-cosmologies in a modern setting - using homeland traditions and rhythms to build on a vibrant history of visual and sonic art, catapulting them into the 21st century. The results of which will easily apply to fans of John Talabot, Romare, Clap! Clap! And Nicolas Jaar.
The album's title track captures this melting pot feel. "Prender el Alma" has a surging beat vaguely reminiscent of "Cherchez La Ghost" by Ghostface Killah, fleshed out with mutated vocals, shaker, hand drum and flute, culminating with a melange of chirping birds and a brief mouth harp in the outro. In essence, it captures the feel of the rain forest distilled through smooth organic samples and electronic beats.
| A1 | Sanación |
| A2 | Puente Roto |
| A3 | La Mirada |
| A4 | La Cosecha |
| A5 | Prender El Alma |
| B1 | Cumbia Del Olvido |
| B2 | Colibria |
| B3 | Eclipse |
| B4 | Equinoccio |
| B5 | Cocha Runa |
