Please note this is an old page and Fly Global Music has now moved. Please follow this link and search for the entry in the new site.

Perhaps it’s a mixed blessing when Pete Tong describes you as “the most underrated DJ in the U.K.” but if it is, Argentinean DJ Ariel Belloso hasn’t let it bother him too much as he continues to travels the world after a 5 year residency at Bagleys (RIP), 7 years at Fabric plus other residencies at The End and Turnmills.

Other career landmarks include having the first UK hit by an Argentinean (‘A9’), playing at the Argentine Embassy in Belgravia and being the first House DJ to be broadcast on Cuban radio. Ariel’s sets are aimed squarely at the dance floor with Latin, World and African rhythms in the groove.

Camará is based on live recordings Ariel made in Havana in the Vedado and Centro districts and then getting together with Oli Savill (percussionist with Da Lata amongst many others and a ex-student at C.N.M.P. in Havana), Guillermo Hill (guitarist with Negrocan, you may recall their track ‘Mare Baixa’ got a remix by Jazztronik a while back) and 20:20 Visions’ Silver City. Also helping him out are his MyDust mates, Alex Celler and X Green.

For Afro-Cuban Rumba a la minimal tech house, look no further than ‘Tinga’ which pumps along at a great pass, even with an ambient interlude. ‘Habana Libre’ and ‘Otra Vez’ are similar but there are many great tracks that stand out. Even ‘Paranoid’ that’s in your face, is infused with some Cuban street talk that makes it that bit special, plus great percussion. And compare that with the high tempo guitar tracks, ‘Dime Quando’ and ‘Malecon’ which are all about dancing, love and seduction.

More on a Fania All-Stars remix-tip, ‘Maton’ gets bangin with Latin house whilst the opener is a healthy mix of beats and German synth-disco respect.

And talking of disco, ‘Hambre’ has a ‘Contact’ hand clap going on to start with but before you can say “bog standard”, the percussion comes in, there’s a bit of Hill’s gentle guitar, a bit of nightlife squeak and before you know it, the voodoo is in your feet and the speaker is as loud as it can go; longest and best track of the set.

Whilst Ariel comes from the same town as Che Guevara, there’s nothing as revolutionary going on with his music but it is full of innovation that moves feet and it’s as hot as a night in Fabric (Havana branch) with free rum and cigars all night long. This album was made for hot club nights on the decks and expect your favourite DJs to be droppin’ any number of these tunes from now on.

Reviewed: Ariel - Camará (MyDust) Cat. No: DUST 100 Release date: 05 March 2009
Tracklisting:
1 Volta (6:46)
2 Maton (4:39)
3 Paranoid (6:49)
4 Malecon (5:20)
5 La Unica (0:15)
6 Tinga (5:46)
7 Hambre (8:24)
8 Central (0:26)
9 Dime Quando (6:07)
10 Mirasol (6:52)
11 Todos Tienen (0:14)
12 Cubana (3:53)
13 Habana Libre (5:35)
14 De Oro (0:09)
15 Otra Vez (5:23)

Links:
www.djariel.com
www.myspace.com/arieluk
www.alexceller.com
www.myspace.com/alexceller
www.xgreen.co.uk
www.myspace.com/xgreenmusic
www.mydust.com
Radio 1’s Essential Mix - Layo & Bushwacka
“The track you like is Ariel - Paranoid, on MyDust records. You can get it from most MP3 shops…” Dan Van Damn, London
“Layo & Bushwacka ‘Paranoid’ - amazing track!!!” Axpam, SPB Russia