Listen to Don’t Let Go song from Pacha Massive new album to be released February 2007
Posted by Elena del Valle on December 21, 2006
Pacha Massive
Photo: Nacional Records
Nacional Records will release the U.S.-based Pacha Massive duo’s new album “All Good Things” in February 2007. Straight from the boogie-down Bronx, Pacha Massive (from Pachamama meaning “Mother Earth”), is the creative collaboration between Dominican-born Nova (keys, guitar, writer and producer) and Colombian-born Maya (writer and bass). The result is described as a funky fusion of traditional Latin rhythms like Colombian cumbia, Dominican palo, reggae, dancehall, dub and electronica.
The duo met in New York while working on a project with Ivan Benavides (Sidestepper, Bloque, Carlos Vives). A creative collaboration between the two led to the formation of Pacha Massive in 2005. Pacha Massive landed an impressive first gig opening for Colombian rockers Aterciopelados at Madison Square Garden and has since gone on to share the stage with artists like Ozomatli, Sidestepper, and Yerba Buena.
After winning the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) Battle of the Bands contest (previous winners include Kinky and Los Abandoned who have both gone on to launch successful careers) the duo caught the attention of Nacional Records. Pacha Massive’s track “Don’t Let Go” was featured last year on the Nacional Records soundtrack to “La Mujer de Mi Hermano,” and landed airplay on stations Indie 103.1 (Los Angeles), KCRW (Los Angeles), KEXP (Seattle), and KUT (Austin).
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Nova’s Dominican roots exposed him to a lot of traditional music like palo in addition to music from England and the U.S. played on Dominican radio. As a youth he built instruments out of whatever he could find, using cans for drums, 2 X 4s, and rubber bands.
“When I came to the U.S. I got my first instrument on my 15th birthday, a drum set, and as the years passed I picked up guitar, bass, keys, percussion and finally the instrument that allowed me to solidify my ideas in a flexible and efficient way….a Mac,” said Nova. He describes his musical influences from people “who have influenced me in the way I make music” citing Bruce Lee, Benjamin Franklin and Leonardo DaVinci as “people who had a bigger perspective and were more holistic in their craft.”
Maya was born in Colombia and raised in New York City’s Washington Heights. Her love of music also started at an early age with the violin, and later became a career choice when she went to Cuba after graduating to study double bass. Her musical influences range from classical, salsa, bolero and traditional Colombian folklore to reggae, house and artists like Manu Chao, Hector Lavoe and Sidestepper.
To listen to the single “Don’t Let Go” from the new Pacha Massive album “All Good Things” click on the play button below.
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