Novalima

On one end of the Afro-Peruvian spectrum, you have Peru Negro's vibrant, aggressively traditional performances. On the other end, you have Novalima, whose expat members have so much reverence for traditional songs and rhythms that they end up front and center on their sophomore effort, leavened only by the gentlest dub effects and subtle electronic backbeats. The result is smart, sophisticated music that wouldn't be out of place in a chill room -- but that simultaneously understands the traditions it emulates and even enlivens them with the electronics.