Paulino Salgado, also known as Batata, was a legendary drummer of traditional Afro-Colombian music born in San Basilio de Palenque in the 1920s.

He learned to play the drums from his father and uncles and became proficient in various rhythms and instruments. Salgado formed the group “La cumbiamba de Palma y Paulino” and played in festivals and carnivals in Barranquilla and Cartagena. He recorded several albums and won awards for his drumming. Salgado continued to play and travel the world until his death.

He released his first album at the age of 75, titled Radio Bakongo, which contains the studio version of ‘Atole’, pays tribute to the African culture of the Afro-Colombian community. The album is a fusion of champeta criolla, cumbia, afrobeat, porro, bullerengue, highlife, soukous, and more.

You can listen to the album, published by Palenque Records, HERE