Coba Coba is the third album from the Peruvian band, Novalima. The 2009 release, off U.S.-based, independent label, Cumbancha further explores Afro-Peruvian music's African roots.[Notes 1] The band implores the use of various genres, reggae, dub, salsa, afro-beat, to create their sound.[1]Coba Coba stays true to its traditional roots while simultaneously pushing the boundaries; "Most people still think Peru is only panpipes," says guitarist/keyboardist Rafael Morales. "This is our interpretation of traditional Afro-Peruvian music, forward-thinking but without losing the soul and tribal rhythms of its roots."[Notes 2]
The sound is cutting edge but traces its roots back to the times of Spanish Colonial rule and slavery.[Notes 1]
Coba Coba was nominated for a 2009 Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album.[2]
Neil Spencer of The Guardian called the album "a polished fusion borrowing freely from folk, salsa, highbrow poetry, and ghetto dancefloor."[3]Allmusic's Jeff Tamarkin said that "its more minimalist, harder-edged production and less global-minded reach allow for fewer sonic surprises" than the band's previous album, Afro.[4]
Ernest Barteldes of the Houston Press remarked that the fusion of Peruvian music with "elements of electronica, hip-hop, samba, and other genres" results in a sound that is "something fresh that still is closely attached to their roots."[5]
Nils Jacobson of PopMatters gave the album a 9 out of 10 rating and wrote: "Elements of funk, reggae, salsa, Afrobeat, hip-hop, and dub mingle freely with traditional landó, marinera, cumanana, and vals criollo—there are no forced combinations—and the guest musicians, mainly horn players and vocalists, add extra flavor."[6]
