Tormenta Tropical

Tormenta Tropical has been heating up in the last year, always a big wild night whenever I've made it out, especially now at its new home, the Elbo Room, whose intimate space and generous soundsystem make it the ideal space right in the heart of the Mission. The Bersa Discos boys (Oro11 & Disco Shawn) have been busy throwing down the psychedelic cumbias at many clubs around town, starting up Tormenta Tropical LA - the inagural bash in January brings one of my favorite producers of '08, Zomby (!) to the Echoplex - and are up to their fourth release on Bersa Discos which has been getting mad love by a wide array of folks. States-wide they are probably the premiere outlet for neo-cumbia and latin infused electro, a worlwide phenomenon profiled a few months ago by Jace Clayton (aka DJ /rupture) in The Fader.

This month will be a biggie with an appearance from The Heatwave, the London-based collective bringing their potent blend of dancehall reggae, bashment, hip-hop, mixed with UK bass sounds. Hopefully they will be springing some new Heatwave-patented refixes on us, the last few have been sensational: Rubi Dan over Benga & Coki's "Night" and Beenie Man paired with "Wearing My Rolex". Also supporting is Paul Devro of Mad Decent.

If you need more convincing check out the much in-demand Warrior Queen slewing it over The Heatwave's "Piano Riddim". Massive!

Warrior Queen & The Heatwave - Things Change