Coati Mundi is the always happy vibraphone jammin' Andy Hernandez, bandmember, bro, and longtime collaborator of Kid Creole. Together they were in Kid Creole & The Coconuts, the amazing Aural Exciters, and Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, but Coati Mundi also released a few 12"s and the 'The Former 12 Year Old Genius' LP. Magic stuff.
I wouldn't have heard any of the Aural Exciters stuff if it wasn't for Ze Records' recent re-releases (lot of "re"s), including the excellent Mutant Disco compilations. Ze Records is actually a fantastic label, with artists like Cristina (see my previous post), Garçons (previous post), Kid Creole & The Coconuts, John Cale, and Was (Not Was), and their recent compilations are a broad collection of pure genius.
Anyways, it isn't that long ago since I decided to actively listen to more Coati Mundi and Kid Creole. The thing is that while I've always kinda liked all of that stuff, I've always needed to keep a little distance. I don't really know why. I liked the playfulness and all, but I think I misunderstood the whole thing; kinda wrote it off as an overload of tongue 'n cheek. Maybe it still is, but fuck it, today I'm loving it.
The song I'm posting 'Que Pasa / Me No Pop I', is definitely my favorite Coati Mundi song...out of the three or four I've heard, hah. It's a 1981 Ze Records release (and appeared on Mutant Disco vol. 2, if you're interested). It's so happy and silly. I can picture him sitting kinda sweaty on the steps outside his Bronx building, drying his forehead with a hankie as all his girlfriends come around to ask what the f' is going on -- and of course he has no idea. He eats some ice cream which melts on his pants and probably steps in some dog poo -- he's that kinda guy. But then he also sings and dances, and everyone on the street joins: cops and pizza guys, old ladies and supers. How can you not love this.
Oh, and this song is also in the rather good 'We Had The Night' movie that's just out (with Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg), and djebus, I swear it was Coati Mundi himself lipsyncing like crazy up on that stage. It made me oh so happy.
Coati Mundi - Que Pasa / Me No Pop I
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Amazon.com
Comments(4)
Wow...just to say THANKYOU,I love this song since it came out in the early 80's,I was living in Venezuela and I was learning how to play congas and percussion(now I live in Washington dc and I am a professional musician)...so this mix of pop and salsa...and the party in the background bring me back a lot of memories,...it was so fun to dance with caotimundi,I never had the chance to have the song until today...thanks a lot,God bless you.
Leo
Written 29.10.07 20:14
Leo, you're very welcome, I'm glad you like it is much as I. I'm in love with this song, and in fact most of the stuff Coati Mundi and the whole Kid Creole gang released.
Again: if you see the movie 'We Own The Night', there is a scene with someone on stage singing this song, and I think it's Coati Mundi himself. :)
Written 30.10.07 10:35
The first time i heard this song..it made my day..i was sixteen or seventeen.
today i found it again..now the new year really kicked off!!!
thanks a million
peace :)
Written 21.01.08 22:39
You're welcome. This track sure seems to bring back a lot of memories for people. Must be good memories, too.
Written 25.01.08 07:05