El Sonido Callejero learned the ropes of music-making by trial and error. Having played the Los Angeles music circuit for years and traveling its outskirts in support of their Latin rock sound, Arturo “El Director” Hernandez, Alejandro “Sargento Susej” Hernandez, and Ozzie “El Matador” Garcia have established their music as an eclectic mixture of Latin and reggae sounds that are supported by thought provoking lyrics; such that fans have grown to learn that there is a greater purpose with every El Sonido Callejero song . This trait is more evident in the band’s latest release, La Fuerza Humana.
Available now on iTunes, El Sonido Callejero’s La Fuerza Humana EP presents a tighter sound and clearer message from the Latin alternative band. Self-produced by the band and recorded at Clearlake Audio and Cuarto Studios in Burbank, La Fuerza Humana is a musical collage of cumbia, hip-hop, ska, reggae, rock, and norteño music, which has become synonymous with El Sonido Callejero’s high-energy, danceable trajectory.
The album begins with “El Cuchi Chi Chi”, a fast cumbia that is driven by a guitar riff reminiscent of the great Carlos Santana. The track “El Niño Calle” is an ode to the children of the streets and a song in which “Sargento Susej” rhymes about the struggles of these street children and urges listeners to take action in their defense. Musically, it’s the most eclectic song on the album as it starts with a simple beat coupled with the sounds of a tuba over which Sargento Susej tells the story of the children. Halfway through, a guitar with wah wah pedals takes over with funky bass lines beneath it, creating a throwback sound to the 70’s funk of George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.
Then, “La Cumbia Callejera” enters with a cumbia groove that is driven by the accordion of “El Director” Hernandez. The title track of the album, “La Fuerza Humana”, starts off with the band’s signature accordion sound and hard driving beat.
Bringing in the heavy reggae sound is “No Te Puedo Olvidar”, a song that tells the story of a lost love and gives an insight into the band member’s sensibility as they sing about the struggles of humanity and of the heart.
“Todos En Protesta” closes the album, and with its cumbia sound expresses the message of uniting to overthrow governments and religions that take advantage of the people.
With its cumbia base accented by heavy guitar riffs,La Fuerza Humana captures the essence of what this band presents live on stage: high energy music that not only forces the soul to dance but that also leaves great food for thought.
