Steam Down’s founder Ahnansé and Mambo Negro Records founder Daniel Michel lead the groundbreaking British-Colombian ensemble Mestizo making their live London debut in La Linea.

Mestizo artfully mix Colombian traditions of currulao and cumbia with hip-swaying salsa, head-nodding rap verses, shards of electronica and jazz improvisation. Bringing the London scene’s knack for genre-hopping to bear on a new realm of kinetic sounds, Indigenous traditions are blended with British diaspora music, producing a fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, UK rap flair and percussive intensity. “We bounced off each other seamlessly, drawing on connections from the Afro-Latin culture that we have in London, as well as exploring new avenues of UK hip-hop and Colombian folk instruments,” says Ahnansé.  “It is in the blood of Colombian music to improvise with tradition and so we connected instantly with our different styles,” agrees Daniel, “by the end we all spoke through the music.”

The culmination of their efforts now comes in their uniquely energetic self-titled debut album, Mestizo, on Mais Um on 5 May 2023.

Part of La Linea – The London Latin Music Festival

Event Preview: La Linea Festival 2023 (London; Friday, 21st April to Sunday, 7th May 2023)

In just under a month, London will once again host the electrifying beats and eclectic melodies of Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and Portugal as La Linea – The London Latin Music Festival makes its highly anticipated return. Get ready for a vibrant celebration of culture and music that promises…

Artists: Alex Etchart , Alvorada , Dengue Dengue Dengue , Duarte , Eliane Correa , Eliane Correa & La Evolución , Emicida , Grupo Luma , Jorge Drexler , Mestizo , Morgan Szymanski , New Regency Orchestra , Sabor A Mi , Sagrada Familia , Susana Baca