Ritmo Costeno Magazine – The Beat of the Atlantic

Musicians throughout the Atlantic Coast are now in a position to reach new audiences for their tunes with the opening of the first professional recording studio in the region in Bluefields.

Music is an integral part of life in the Caribbean and the Atlantic Coast has contributed an enormous amount to the catalogue of original music in Nicaragua.

Despite its small population, Bluefields has not only produced many of the country’s premier musicians, it has also given birth to an entire genre of music – Nicaraguan Maypole.

But after punching above its weight class for many years, the local music scene has been seriously subdued in recent times, with poverty and lack of opportunity forcing many local artists to hang up their instruments or move away in search of a livelihood.

However all that is starting to change with the official opening of the Bluefields Sound System recording studio in Barrio Central.

Even in the golden age of Costeño music, local artists would have to make the long river and road trip to Managua if they wanted to record their music. As a result there is an enormous backlog of original compositions that have never been taped.

Recording these tracks is one of the initial priorities of the BSS – inviting legendary performers to come in and use the studio to put down songs and sounds that have been passed on from generation to generation.

BSS has also contracted the services of award-nominated North American producer Evan Rhodes, who is currently working with young artists to produce international quality dancehall and reggae music on the coast for the first time.

In a region that has grown accustomed to hearing mainly imported music from Jamaica, the United States and other established music hubs, this represents an exciting development in the local music scene.

“There is no doubt that the talent exists in Bluefields to produce something truly spectacular,” explains BSS founder Edwin Reed Sanchez, “however up until now the artists have not had the resources to turn their talent into a marketable product.”

“The opening of the studio represents a major milestone with regards to restoring Bluefields to its position as an innovator not just in Nicaragua but in the region as a whole.”

For Rhodes, the chance to work with up-and-coming Nicaraguan artists has been impossible to pass up.

“These guys are creating something truly original that has the potential to hit big not only here but in overseas markets as well,” says the producer.
At present, Rhodes is working on the new single of Bluefields artist Kali Boom, “You’re the one in my heart” as well as the debut release of young singer Papa Bantam.

“Kali’s song is a great example of what the BSS project is all about, it is built upon classic reggae sounds but also has a modern, fresh beat.”

In addition to recording music for release on their own record label, the BSS is also renting out studio time to popular local musicians that are working to release their own work as well as to the public in general.

For more information on the BSS project visit www.bluefieldsound.com.