Neotropic Dream by Combo Lulo

What do you get when you blend a reverential take on the diverse canon of popular Caribbean music with an all-star cast of seasoned studio musicians from the heart of Brooklyn? The answer lies in Combo Lulo’s much anticipated debut studio long-player, Neotropic Dream. The group takes its influence from the deep musical heritage of New York’s cultural pedigree, especially the heyday of the city’s Caribbean record distribution industry — a culture of music that still bubbles today in the crevices of the city’s independent neighborhoods and record communities.

Despite the general scope of the muse, it’s hard to precisely pin down this fantastic re-imagining. In some ways, that’s why the title for the band’s debut album is Neotropic Dream, a nod to the biogeographic region that encompasses the countries along the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, a region intensely diverse in its climate, fauna and flora. This theme manifests musically as you journey through Combo Lulo’s original compositions and cleverly chosen covers. More than anything, it’s a dreamy storm of styles and musical moments born anew. And just as weather swiftly travels and transforms the Caribbean, so the varied musical styles carry the listener from the album’s start to finish. Not just a talented… more
credits
released May 7, 2021

Mike Sarason – Piano, Organ, Flute
Anant Pradhan – Alto/Tenor Sax
Billy Aukstik – Trumpet
Kevin Batchelor – Trumpet
Buford O’Sullivan – Trombone
Morgan Price – Baritone Sax, Flute
Steve Capecci – Bass
Nikhil P. Yerawadekar – Bass
Matt Kursmark – Guitars, Bass
Eddie Ocampo – Drums
Morgan Greenstreet – Percussion
Camilo Rodriguez – Percussion
Andres Jimenez – Percussion
Alba Ponce De Leon – Vocals (A3, B1)
JonnyGo Figure – Vocals (B3)

Produced by Mike Sarason & Matt Kursmark
Mixed by Mike Sarason & Matt Kursmark
Engineered by Matt Kursmark
Recorded at Shag City, Brooklyn
Mastered by Frank Merritt, London

Cover Illustrations by Jose Berrio