“Sa Ximbomba” is the latest single from Periscopi Invertit, released 11th July from the EP Amèlia. The London-based group, led by Mallorcan bassist Mireia Carbonell, have built their sound around Catalan folk melodies paired with jazz, funk, and North African rhythms. This track takes a traditional Mallorcan folk song and recasts it through a jazz-funk arrangement.

The melody comes from Mallorca’s popular folk repertoire, part of the glosa genre, a form of improvised poetry sung across the Països Catalans (Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and other Catalan-speaking regions) since the 14th century. Glosa traditionally appears at Festes Majors, the main town festivals and community gatherings, and remains a living practice today. The song has been recorded by numerous artists including Dançadors de Mallorca, Parado De Valldemossa, and Maria del Mar Bonet. Sa ximbomba refers to a friction drum, a rudimentary instrument made from a clay pot or earthenware, a stretched membrane, and a cane. The lyrics use the worn-out ximbomba as a metaphor for ageing and diminished sexuality: the drum skin has gone saggy, the stick is worn out, and the instrument has no sound anymore.

Periscopi Invertit keep the traditional lyrics but replace the improvised verses with instrumental solos. Laura Guarch sings over Carbonell’s bass and arrangements, with Zac Gvi on keyboard, Karim Dellali on darbuka, and Xarli Oliver on drums. The arrangement sits between Mediterranean melody and jazz-funk grooves, the darbuka adding North African percussion to the rhythmic foundation.

The band will release their debut album in November on Crea Music, with a launch concert on 6 November at Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club in London featuring Catalan singer-songwriter Clara Sanabras.

Stream and listen to the track HERE