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PREMIERE: NORTEC COLLECTIVE

“Blue Pill,” off NC’s final album, ‘Motel Baja’

An austere electro-funk gallop reminiscent of “White Horse,” cinematic strings, an animated tuba - “Blue Pill,” the latest single from Nortec Collective’s final album, Motel Baja (featuringTom Tom Club, Señor Coconut, Kraftwerk’s Wolfgang Flur, and conductor Alberto Nuñez Palacio) has the makings of a novelty track, but as with all things Nortec Collective, there’s more to the story than that.

 “Blue Pill” is a collaboration with Alberto Nuñez Palacio that started out as a series of meetings we had with various symphonies,” explains Bostich (Ramón Amezcua), who along with Fussible (Pepe Mogt) is one of the founding and presently remaining members of a formerly rotating posse. “This piece is a nod to our electronic influences using the legendary TR-808 drum machine and the TB-303 synthesizer, a tuba, and orchestral arrangements by maestro Nuñez.” In the Nortec tradition, it’s a bit of sly dance floor commentary. “It is also a reference to Viagra, which is readily for sale in pirate form in Tijuana to the pharmaceutical tourists, principally from the United States. You could say tourists consume more Viagra than tacos.”

If anyone has the low down on what’s up south of the border, it’s Nortec Collective. For the last 15 years they have made their unlikely mashup of regional Norteño pop and techno a worldwide success, garnering multiple Grammys and nominations, and marquee slots on major festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella. Motel Baja is being released on September 16, Mexican Independence Day, but as Nortec Collective has proven, music is a force without borders or charter, and home is where you drop your beats and knowledge. As a final album and symbolic destination, Motel Baja is a perfect stop to celebrate what’s past and gear up for what’s ahead.

Motel Baja by Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich+Fussible is out September 16, 2014 on Nacional Records.

Words: Jorge Hernandez Photo: Josue Castro