Opening with “Los Herederos (The Heirs),” a statement about the cultural inheritance of American-born children of immigrants, Rebolu’s new album Mi Herencia (My Heritage) kicks off their festive music in a spirited way. A Queens-based Latin-funk group at the forefront of NYC’s New Colombian Music Movement, Rebolu is a party with sound and energy that reflect both their urban life and folkloric traditions. We also hear a variety of dance rhythm genres with “Cumbia sabrosa (Savory Cumbia)” demonstrating Colombia’s most popular. Other tracks incorporate the chalupa, puya, bellerengue, fandango or serese-mapale.

Initially formed as a duo in 2007, Rebolu now consists of vocalists/multi-instrumentalists Ronald Polo and Johanna Castañeda, and percussionists Morris Cañate and Erica “Kika” Parra. Full of sumptuous melodies, tight arrangements and stunning rhythms, Mi Herencia (My Heritage) has songs that reflect on family, traditions, home and expressions of joy, sorrow, love, desire, and celebration. The ten original songs (sung in Spanish) also address more current topics such as social injustice, Black Lives Matter, financial instability, seaside romance and even the joy of children when seven-year-old Melody Polo sings “Cumbia sabrosa.”

Of particular interest are “Qué ilusión (What an Illusion)” and “La noche perfecta (Perfect Night)” that the band self-describes as “Rebolu groove,” a danceable Afro-beat salsa groove built around Colombian percussion, New York rhythms, funk guitar, salsa bass and spirited vocals. The band also incorporates rap, funk, jazz, and other international styles into their music. !Rebolu es una fiesta! (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)