Kaifo - Rural

Rural is the first long-play work of Carlos Asimbaya aka Kaifo, which sees a fully matured vision of Ecuadorian keyboard tradition catapulted into the future and rhythmically sustained by the bomba percussion; an Afroandean element that bears witness to the unique history of this country. Trained in classical music composition and inspired by jazz, Kaifo's repertoire features haunting, extensive melodies and scales that inform listeners on the landscapes of Andean styles while delivering a postmodern dancefloor experience. Carlos Asimbaya is a keyboardist, composer and producer hailing from the small town of Machachi, Canton Mejia, Province of Pichincha Ecuador. In 2016 he began a process of personal research and exploration of various musical expressions of traditional music, collecting sonic resources from remote localities such as Aloag, Machachi, Chalguayacu, Cotacachi, Alausi, Borbon, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas and more - customs that identify the history of Ecuador. In June 2019, he finally published his first single Desvio - a warm fusion of bomba, albazo, dembow, global bass, etc. followed by other digital releases culminating in the EP Curtido as part of the 'Kipus' series of Eck Echo Records. With Rural Kaifo uplifts the Ecuadorian organ tradition inaugurated in the mid-1960s by the likes of Polibio Mayorga into futuristic clubbing arenas. Tres Caminos is a magnificent opener where psychedelia meets the soft snare elegance of the albazo, the indigenous genre that defines the soul of this country. Monte Espeso introduces clubbers worldwide to the contagious grooves of bomba, the trademark rhythm of Afroecuadorian communities. The raw keyboard melody strikes fast like a proverbial lightning. Hecho Lena sounds like the one-man orchestra that is Kaifo. Relentless timbales fills and an alcohol-fueled family vibe characterize this unique chicha track.