Kinky, Aterciopelados

Kinky comes to life at the right time. The band has giving new meaning to Mexican rock, opening its possibilities toward a more cosmopolitan sound. Kinky's breakthrough in the music scene led the beginning of a new era, not only for Mexico, but also for the rest of Latin America.

It was by no coincidence that Kinky inaugurated the birth of a new century with its eponymous album (Kinky, 2001), a collection of songs full of vigor and a mixture of rhythms that was a surprise to the local scene. These elements remain as an essential characteristic, and have led Gil Cerezo, Carlos Chairez, Omar Gongora, Cesar Pliego and Ulises Lozano to create one of the more remarkable careers in Mexico and worldwide.

With ingenious vision, Kinky recorded a renewed version featuring a sound mix with visual references that blend into their second album (Atlas, 2003), drawing along their career a map of rich and varied songs, experiences, nominations and awards.

With international tours, the path traced by Kinky extends to horizons ranging from video games to movies, from where they consolidated their third album (Reina, 2003) and subsequently (Barracuda, 2008); Kinky has been able to navigate deep waters until their album (Sueño de la Máquina 2011). If Kinky's debut album marked the beginning of a new era, the future is always born with new ideas. The next leap was another dimension, in this case: MTV Unplugged.

In its 2014 version, a kaleidoscopic is rediscovered on each track. The explosive band performances make it one of the best live acts; intoxicating and addictive as the adrenaline that emanate from a Kinky live show; to this add the ability to execute and the creativity to provide an acoustic album.

The concert opens with a seductive version of one of the bands most emblematic songs, "Soun Tha Mi Primer Amor" conquering the audience, and without any notice they are in the eye of the "Huracán" vibrant sounds. Reinvention is such, that at times it gives the impression of being not only in front of new versions, but entirely new songs.

The peculiar combination of electronic and rock made Kinky a favorite band to thousands of people, but also their shrewd transcription and reinterpretation of Latin and Mexican folklore, particularly the rhythms created and deeply rooted in northern Mexico. Their arc is characterized by the transgression of boundaries and prejudices that are proof in this MTV Unplugged, which includes the norteño classic from Ramon Ayala "Para Poder Llegar A Ti", in which the accordion looks and emphasizes the diversity of sounds that fit the band, and where the repetition of the chorus serves as a sampler.

Hypnotized by sequences in "Sin Palabras," Ulises Lozano surrounds us with inventive keyboards, the perfect opening to display the voice of Carla Morrison on "A Donde Van Los Muertos?" The surprises increase with each track. The guitar of Carlos Chairez lends delicious harmonies, such as the intro that lead us to a renewed and exciting version of "Yo Soy Lo Peor". There are winds of halo, purely norteño, juxtaposed with the funk rhythm of "Negro Día" and the participation of La Mala Rodriguez.

"Una Línea De luz" opens the way for the completion of this unforgettable journey, a moment of splendid strings, not only by the cascade of violins but also by the artful arrangement of guitar.

"Ilegal," poised to become a new classic of the band, and "Para Que Regreses," remind us why the voice of Gil Cerezo has become one of the most recognized and appreciated in Latin music. "Hasta Quemarnos" lives up to its name with a fiery version. The audience catches their breath in "Vuelve" and then uses all the enthusiasm and energy that remains since "Bien Pedo, Bien Loco" is the closing track featuring Los Recoditos.

Kinky's MTV Unplugged is not just an acoustic album; it's a journey through the musical work that the group has created over years. A deconstruction of all its elements generating unexpected versions, achieved thanks to crafty ingenuity of a band that enjoys complete freedom.


Aterciopelados (English: the Velvety Ones), also referred to as los Aterciopelados on some albums and other promotional materials, are a rock band from Colombia. Led by Andrea Echeverri and Héctor Buitrago, they have been one of the first rock bands from Colombia to gain international notice and is among the country's top groups. Their music fuses rock with a variety of Colombian and Latin American musical traditions. Time Magazine has written, "Aterciopelados's true skill lies in its ability to take north-of-the-border musical styles…and breathe new life into them, all while giving them a distinctly Colombian sheen."

Additionally, Aterciopelados engages audiences all over the world with their socially-conscious message. Honored by the United Nations for their work denouncing violence in Colombia, Aterciopelados speaks out about myriad issues including political injustice, women's rights, and environmental destruction. The group has also received numerous awards, such as the Latin Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album in 2007, for Oye (Nacional Records).

In October 2008, Aterciopelados released a new studio album, Rio, on Nacional Records. The album received rave reviews from publications like Rolling Stone, the Washington Post, Billboard, and from NPR's "All Things Considered." As Vibe Magazine said, "For Aterciopelados, maturity has become a form of liberation." The group toured United States in April 2009 to support Rio.