Kreativa is a new-ish Mexican imprint that appears to be brewing up a real international coming out party in 2012 starting with the latest EP from the new Mexican artist Teruel. The label’s eighth release is stacked with decent enough tunes from top to bottom – including three originals, a pair of remixes from I Voice favorite Lee Webster and a remix from the lone veteran, Gog – who hails from Mexico City. And ultimately, the world’s second largest city is the real story here, there is something going on all over Mexico, but the intersection of upward mobility, artistic freedom, and cultural crossroads all come together in the capital city like no place else in the world right now. That vibe is captured on the “Fire In Your Eyes” single quite well, even if the originals feel like the rough-cut expressions of a talented young artist still seeking his creative voice. The remixes, especially those by Webster, carry the day and also help to paint a sharper image of the developing hotbed of talent that is Mexico in 2012.
“Fire In Your Eyes” straddles the narco-influenced nu disco that is sweeping the nation’s east coast, as evidenced by the artists who dominated this year’s BPM Festival on the Mayan Riviera, and the traditionally friendly confines of deep house that have been a part of the country’s listening tastes due to guilt by association - the proximity of the US border. Apparently, that “giant sucking sound” wasn’t just industry headed southward, popular culture from El Norte has meandered its way across the border, mixing with those of the diverse melting pot that is Mexico. It was only a matter of time before Mexican artists were not just aping US pop but twisting it with traditional forms in to new ones that recall the British Invasion in some ways, and by the amount of time and money large commercial firms are putting in to licensing the next big thing outta Mexico, it’s obvious that business has itself poised to cash in big time on the latest youth craze.
Twinkie follows-up the title track as if to announce that David Teruel’s gift for arrangement is no fluke. His attention to detail in how the track builds, breaks down, and musically progresses is definitely this kid’s strong suit and even both tracks are difficult to discern from other Mexican artists such as the Disclosure Crew or ex-pat Miguel Puente, there are the seeds of a blossoming talent buried in here somewhere. The melodies are nice, too.
Gog rearranges “We Are Connected” in to something devoted followers of Mexican underground music will connect with right away – mid tempo beats, wobbled garage bass lines, and a chunkiness that is drawn more from the subtle rock and reggae musical traditions of Mexico than one born of Chicago or Detroit. The remix is also a little too sluggish to be an epic jam, but more of track to appreciate from a distance for its originality.
Barcelona producer Lee Webster is a rising talent that most ardent devotees of house music’s daily changes should be at least somewhat familiar with, on this EP he gets tapped for two remixes of the same track – “We Are Connected”. Webster’s “Fractal Mix” features a nice chilled out vibe that touches on the works of Glenn Underground, minus all the funky keys, but with plenty of future jazz leanings slapped all over it like bumper stickers covering up body damage. Whatever Webster lacks in the musical chops of his Chicago influences he makes up for in groove, the bass line lopes effortlessly like a cougar filled with fresh kill and makes what should be a breezy little rework in to something slightly darker and more late night. Webster’s second attempt is more abstract in musical construction, bearing little resemblance to his first pass outside of the bubbling bass line. The percussion is choppier with staccato accents giving the drums a martial feel that is far less groovy than any of the other tracks on this release. Boiled down, this remix is a creative attempt to give the lighter end of the nu disco spectrum a roughed-up house music finish and the idea works well.
Closing out the EP is the original version of “We Are Connected”, a nice by-the-book attempt at classy, Chicago style deep house. Bearing almost no resemblance to any of its remixes, the track is an excellent exercise in style but there aren’t enough ingredients to make this anything more than a loving re-creation.
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