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Señor Coconut, "Coconut FM"

The newest release by Uwe Schmidt’s alter ego Señor Coconut is ahandpicked collection of so called “Legendary Latin Club Tunes.”Schmidt has selected from many styles and genres from across LatinAmerica. However fans of Señor Coconut’s particular brand of Latinisedrock songs will most likely be disappointed.


Essay Recordings


This is an awful record.There is little in common with Señor Coconut’s own releases apart fromthe tenuous connection in that there is a Latin element to both in thesame way that Gwar and Neurosis are both metal. Fifteen songs (and tworadio jingles) with zero originality or redeeming qualities. Themajority of these songs sound like the demo on a cheapchildren’s keyboard. (In fact I would expect better of keyboard demos.)The songs all seem to sound the same, more like different versions ofone song rather than a collection of tracks by over a dozen artists.“Gira” by Vanessinhaand Alessandra sounds like Peaches with a far more annoying voice andthis is probably the highlight of the album. Tego Calderon’scontribution “Cambumbo” sounds like reggae on its death bed. Maybe thelanguage barrier means I’m missing out on some choice lyrics but Iremain to be convinced of that.The album’s selling point seems to be that this represents the morealternative side of Latin America’s clubland but in reality it soundsmore like a crass compilation of no name dance artists that would befound in a dodgy souvenir shop in Ibiza. I’ve tried hard to findsomething positive about Coconut FMbut from the tacky cover through to the choice of tracks this is a woeful collection. I was expectingsome element of class and quality control based on Coconut’s ownreleases but alas I was let down on all fronts.  This is an album for people who comehome from their vacation with a giant novelty sombrero and a stuffeddonkey. Coconut FM is absolutely appalling and should be avoided.

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