Christopher “Zumbi” Richards (L) and Félix Pacheco of Cilantro Boombox. Photo by Brittany Hallberg.
Austin’s Cilantro Boombox helps get any party started through its sheer size–upwards to seven band members–and undeniable energy. But with no ability to play live shows due to the pandemic, the group brings that same fire to the recording studio. Earlier this year, Cilantro Boombox released two new singles, “Wahoo” and “Y O U.” Both were pieced together remotely, but they still manage to highlight the band’s signature mix of Caribbean, Latin, funk, and punk influences. “Wahoo” is both fun and a cry of frustration–underscored by the band’s Black Lives Matter-inspired video–while “Y O U” is a beach-flavored love song.
This week on My KUTX, bassist Félix Pacheco and trombonist/singer Christopher “Zumbi” Richards take the guest DJ controls. Their set is a mix of sounds, artists, and ideas that continue to inspire Cilantro Boombox, from Prince and Nigerian funk to salsa and Nina Simone’s social consciousness. Hear Cilantro Boombox’s My KUTX on Saturday, October 3 at 6 p.m. or anytime at the top of the page.
–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX
Playlist:
1. Prince – “17 Days”
2. Cilantro Boombox – “Wahoo”
3. KOKOROKO – “Adwa”
4. Altın Gün – “Goca Dünya”
5. Ismael Miranda & Willie Colón – “No Me Digan Que Es Muy Tarde”
6. Tshegue – “Tshegue”
7. Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band – “Gyae Su”
8. Cilantro Boombox – “Y O U”
9. Michael Kiwanuka – “Black Man In A White World”
10. Nina Simone – “Baltimore”
11. Steve Monite – “Only You”
