Mestizo Beat
Jaraguá
scum stats: 600 copies on black vinyl, 200 copies on maroon. I have the black...
An interesting thing happens around here...bands mail in copies of their records asking if we will sell them in our store. When I worked at Car City Records back at the turn of the century, I don't remember this ever happening, no one blindly mailed us an LP and asked us to stock it.
But because of the Third Man reach, maybe we're just on a wider radar than most other folks. Problem is...we don't sell records not on the Third Man label. So these records, I don't know, maybe 15-20 a year, arrive with a request that we will never be able to meet.
These records are often forgettable. Mestizo Beat is the exception to the rule. The rhythm heavy instrumentation, self-described "instrumental West Coast Latin funk" is sublime. Low rider jams verging on no wave "Optimo" bass breaks all coalesce into fuzz lined guitar leads that propel the songs into whirls of horn and percussion.
Dare I say, you cannot go wrong here.
I have a difficult time imagining anyone taking issue with these songs. Just enjoyable for days, something you could relax to or hop up and shake it.
So while we might not be selling any copies in store, surely the dedicated readers here will tick up the mail order sales (hello Bandcamp Friday!) and we'll still hit the desired goal...more people knowing more about this incredible band.
