Tradition In Transition - recorded in Cali, Colombia - is the upcoming album from Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, which sees Will ‘Quantic’ Holland mining the lesser-tapped musical sources from the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa and fusing those rediscovered psychedelic, experimental and rhythmically rich sounds of the past with deep funk and soul elements and folkloric vocal styles. This exceptional longplayer gives life to an explosive sonic snapshot of an ever-evolving musical landscape, played out by a carefully assembled international cast of musical creators.

The stellar array of musicians at the core of the Combo Bárbaro are: pianist Alfredo Linares, who wowed the sell-out crowds with his virtuoso performances on The Quantic Soul Orchestra's 2008 tour; Freddy Colorado, the energetic, charismatic cornerstone of the Cali music circuit, on congas; Fernando Silva on baby bass; William Holland himself on electric guitar; and London-based drummer and long time Quantic collaborator Malcolm Catto, also well known for his own band The Heliocentrics, in fine form.

'Tradition In Transition' also benefits incalculably from the talents of veteran Brazilian writer, arranger and musical innovator Arthur Verocai, who scored and directed a 12 piece string section on several themes. Legendary Panamanian soul singer Kabir lends his rich vocal tones to two tracks; Indian-born singer Falu, now based in the USA, brings her beguiling mix of North Indian Classical and rock-influenced vocal styles; and Pacific folklore singer and award-winning songwriter Nidia Góngora contributes her beautiful song "Un Canto A Mi Tierra."

In crafting the sound of Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro, Holland felt it was imperative to have the core stable of musicians in the same room, creating an organic dialogue between them - a simple rule which, in an age of drum machines, samples and voice correction, is all too often overlooked. People will be instinctively drawn time and again to revisit the music made in this traditional, substantial way, undoubtedly because strange, unexpected things take place, musicians improvise and exciting musical statements are made, and this was the environment needed for the recording of Tradition In Transition. The result is a multi-cultural patchwork - a record bathed but not exclusively rooted in Colombian musical culture, embracing the musical range of all the American continent - honouring and utilising its contributors' individual backgrounds while conjuring up a unique brand of contemporary music that is a joy and a celebration to listen to, and a live experience that defies comparison.

Download "Arianita" (right-click, save as)

Shot in Cali and Buenaventura in Colombia.

Upcoming Tour Dates
Wed 15th July - Turntable On The Hudson, NYC. *Official Launch Party* (DJ)
Fri 17th July - Turntable On The Hudson, Water Taxi Beach. NYC (DJ)
Sat 18th July - Arts Space Festival (DJ)
Sat 18th July - ESL Party, NYC (DJ)
Sat Aug 8th - Big Chill Festival, Eastnor Castle.

US Band Tour (Dates TBC)
Friday August 14: Slim's S.F.
Saturday August 15: Venue TBA, LA
Sunday August 16: TBA
Tuesday August 18: Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz
Wed 19 OR Thurs 20 (both held): Neumos', Seattle
Sunday August 23: Turntables on the Hudson presents, NYC

EU Band Tour
August 28th - Rendezvous L'Erdre Festival, Nantes, France
August 29th - Shambala Festival, Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire
Aug 30th - Beachdown Festival, Brighton
Sept 1st - Root Music, Uppermill Civic hall, Uppermill, Oldham
Sept 3rd - Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool
Sept 4th - Roundhouse, London
Sept 5th - O2 Academy, Bristol
Sept 6th - Electric Picnic Festival, Stradbally Hall, County Laios
Sept 10th - Bett Club, Frankfurt, Germany
Sept 11th - Het Depot, Leuven, Belgium
Sept 12th - Le Bataclan, Paris, France
Sept 13th - The Sage, Gateshead