Opening track “Bombay” to El
Guincho's second full length record Negro feels like a steel
drum work out at European soccer festival. In fact, the video for the
film clip must be seen to be believed
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CreEuaS8QY).
Whether you like it or not everyone's favourite musical native of the
Spanish Canary Islands has returned and rightfully delivers the goods
of highly danceable tropicalia and afro-flavoured pop. 

Following the
sounds he crafted on the first record Alegranza, El Guincho has
continued riding the wave of a similar mode of working and producing
his music. But heck, if its not broken don't fix it – because if
you were like me and dug the first record then you probably wanted
more ever since. “Soca Del Eclipse” is another catchy little
number that has pornographic background sax and some infectious
laptop drum beats. The only real downfall of El Guincho is that all
of the wonderful and exotic music you'll hear on the record isn't
exactly coming from a group of sarong-wearing ethnics. But balls if
that matters, you should just sit back and visualise that sandy white
beach and clear blue water as the sounds have the ability to
transport. 

They encourage you to quit your job, knock your boss out
and go grab a mojito on holiday somewhere splendid. Its debatable as
to whether or not its actually better than the first record. With
tracks like “FM Tan Sexy”, which has saucy female background
vocals and a repetitious synth beat its hard to really compare the
two as there isn't really a progression or difference between them –
as before mentioned, it doesn't really matter. El Guincho's music,
especially being in Spanish isn't something you're going to listen to
with a lyric sheet in hand like a Nick Cave record – you'll have it
as ambiance at your Mexican siesta and burrito nights in the summer.
Stereo boom box down at Bondi Beach on a Sunday or just to impress
your friends that you admire exotic music but can't be bothered
sorting through rare Tropical/Afro-Beat compilations or over-priced
re-issues. El Guincho is the everyday mans guide to an endless
treasure trove of traditional European music of multiple kinds. Just
save yourself the trouble and buy this. At least just for the burrito
nights.

Review Score: 7.9/10