Rhythm Passport holders, welcome aboard!
We’re buzzing to share the first of many chats we’ve had on the road over the past few months. Kicking off from WOMEX 24 in Manchester, we sat down with the vibrant, French-based Mexican band, Kumbia Boruka.
Hailing from Lyon, Kumbia Boruka are shaking up the French and Latin music scenes with their fresh spin on cumbia norteña. Led by Hernán Cortés, a protégé of the legendary Celso Piña, the band brings Monterrey’s rich cumbia traditions to life, mixing in flavours from Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and France.
Their music is a lively mash-up of classic cumbia, reggae, dub, and tropical rhythms—powered by bold brass, psychedelic guitars, deep percussion, and the unmistakable sound of the accordion.
Last year, they dropped their third album, Santa Suerte, and we caught up with Hernán and Jonathan Cortés to chat about this, their journey, and the inspirations they’ve gathered along the way…
Track list:
- Kumbia Boruka – Santa Suerte
- Kumbia Boruka – El Porro Magangueleño (feat. Celso Pina)
- Son Rompe Pera – Chucha
- Quantic – Hotline Bling
- Kumbia Boruka – Fiestas en las Calles
- Taggy Matcher & Kumbia Boruka – Cumbia Locura (Dub)