Well, the more observant of you will no doubt know the names Ahnansé and Daniel Michel. As the founders of London’s Steam Down and Colombia’s Mambo Negro Records, they’ve been enlightening the world with their respective creative endeavours for some time. A musical bridge has been built between their two worlds for the past four years. Their uniquely energetic debut album, Mestizo, is the culmination of their efforts. The British/Colombian collective will release their self-titled album on 5th May via Mais Um. They’ll also perform a string of UK live dates, including Village Underground, as part of the La Linea festival – watch a taster of the group below.

This 14-strong collective brings together musicians from Colombia and London’s music scenes to create an innovative interpretation of Colombian folk traditions, London jazz and hip-hop.

The lead single ‘Arroyo’ perfectly exemplifies the chemistry between these musical kindred spirits. With horn fanfares and tenacious verses by Colombian rapper N.Hardem, the track opens on a hard-edged hip-hop rhythm. In a lyrical solo combining afrobeat and salsa melody, British trumpeter Grifton Forbes-Amos intertwines with his Colombian counterpart Salomé Gomez Burbano before shifting into a grime-referencing refrain from UK singer Shantéh.

‘Arroyo’ is wild and invigorating and packs a high-energy punch!

Mestizo 2023 live UK dates:

5th May – Bristol – Bristol Beacon

6th May – Manchester – Band On The Wall

7th May – London – Village Underground (as part of La Linea Festival)