Ocote Soul Sounds

Ocote Soul Sounds creates a rich, multi-sensory experience that feels like it was unearthed from a time capsule buried in a desert. The music is a seamless intersection of Afrobeat's rhythmic complexity and the hazy, sun-drenched textures of Latin psychedelia. It is deeply grounded in the earth, yet it possesses a floating, ethereal quality that suggests a spiritual or cinematic journey. The production is warm and analog, often featuring the signature dub-inflected polish associated with the ESL Music label.

What truly distinguishes the group is the interplay between Martin Perna's woodwind arrangements and Adrian Quesada's gritty, fuzzed-out guitar work. They manage to make music that is intellectually dense and politically conscious without ever losing its sense of groove. It is the sound of a global collective finding common ground in the space between a Brooklyn studio and a Mexican landscape, resulting in tracks that feel both ancient and modern.

Start with 'Coconut Rock' to experience their most cohesive vision of this sound. It serves as the perfect gateway into their world, balancing upbeat rhythmic exercises with slower, more meditative pieces. It is the kind of music that doesn't demand your attention but rewards it immensely if you choose to lean in.