For the most part, people typically associate Uruguay with soccer. The South American country’s two FIFA World Cup wins and its 15 Copa America titles support that claim. But there’s more to Uruguay than its vast athletic accomplishments. It’s also home to various talented musicians that weigh heavily on the day-to-day music many people listen to.
Among them is a collective of musicians that goes by the name of Campo. Lead by Juan Campodonico, the band includes members of the Bajofondo musical collective- including acclaimed producer Gustavo Santaolalla, along with songwriter Martin Rivero, Swedish singer Ellen Arkbro, VJ/singer Verónica Loza, and electronic musician Pablo Bonilla.
Campo’s “1987” song, which was written by Campodonico and Jorge Drexler- and features Drexler on vocals as well- is currently nominated for a 2012 Latin Grammy in the “Best Alternative Song” category.
The song is up against “Déjenme Llorar” by Carla Morrison, “Mi Guapo” from Bebe, “Negro Día” from John King, Kinky & Mala Rodríguez, and “Neguinho” from Caetano Veloso.
The track and album were recorded at Sunset Sounds Recording Studio in Los Angeles and was produced by Campodonico and Santaolalla. The album’s sound follows the band’s self-proclaimed subtropical fusion, a term that marks an ironic way of setting the differences with tropical music and also makes nods to other genres such as cumbia villera, which is the urban sound born and bred in the marginal neighborhoods of Argentina and Uruguay.
The 13th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will be held on November 15, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
