Esotérica Tropical - Esotérica Tropical (2024)

The debut album of Esotérica Tropical, also titled Esotérica Tropical, embodies freedom and resistance in times of struggle, transforming the scars of living within an endless crisis into a beautiful, celebratory, and defiant experience. Conceived and written after migrating to Oakland, California, Esotérica Tropical was inspired by the shared diasporic longing of many Puerto Ricans around the world to return to their place of birth. It's ten songs collate a collection of love letters to Puerto Rico from our essence to our bodies and the land, tapping into our ancestral roots to the power of remembrance.

The sound of Esotérica Tropical’s self-titled debut album is a fusion of blending acoustic instrumentation, harp, and traditional bomba rhythms with electronic touches as well as modern production courtesy of a trio of collaborators: Luis Maurette (Uji, Lulacruza), Heidi Lewandowski (Kaleema), and Adam Partridge (Atropolis). The album also features contributions from the indie music powerhouse Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards ("Realismo Mágico"), Julia Cepeda and Denise Solis of Taller Bombaléle and Batey Tambó, on all bomba-based songs, in addition to Julia's father, Jesús "El Tambor Mayor" Cepeda ("Huracán"); and the Argentine singer-songwriter, producer, and arranger, Juanito El Cantor-de La Nube Mágica ("Silencio").