"If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution," once said Emma Goldmann, the anarchist and peace activist who died in Toronto in 1940. A statement that can stand as a motto for the activities of Lucha Amada. The collective has been around since 2001, when the activists started as DJs with the Fiesta Lucha Amada in Cologne and quickly became known beyond the city's borders. Very quickly other idealists joined them and they organized concerts or even whole tours for bands like Obrint Pas, Cheb Balowski and Watcha Clan. All bands that, like the collective, oppose oppression, fascism and many other repressions and call or have called for international solidarity. And at some point, the incredibly versatile and nicely packaged solos samplers in book format were added, such as "Lucha Amada II - Love Music. Hate Fascism" from 2015.
In 2021 Lucha Amada celebrates its 20th anniversary and presents itself and the rest of the world with another sampler on 3 CDs (in book format) or 4 LPs! There you can only bow respectfully and hope that the story continues for at least 20 more years, because "La Luta Continua" ("The fight goes on")! The impressive artwork is by Mexican artist and activist Gran OM. It could hardly be more fitting.
The CD and vinyl versions each feature 46 (!) tracks that unite the world in the fight against all oppression. As usual, the focus is on artists who sing in Spanish. Among others, Sidi Wacho, Kumbia Queers, Lengualerta, Go Lem System, Manu Chao & Chalart58, Che Sudaka and Ana Tijoux are on board. From Germany, Raggabund, Mal Eleve and Guts Pie Earshot are represented. In terms of (dub)reggae, for example, Dubamix from France is on board with "Solidaridad" from the album "Camarades", a tune created in collaboration with Lengualerta, Mal Eleve and Krak In Dub, who also have their roots in France. International solidarity and collaboration, then.
Musically and in terms of content, it goes powerfully to the point! In addition to Latin American styles, such as Cumbia, various other influences can be found, which are not infrequently garnished with harder guitar riffs. All the tracks call for resistance and are also well danceable, which leads back to the initial quote. Here you can dance and tackle the revolution at the same time!
Half of the proceeds from the sale of the compilation will be donated to the Zapatist@s (Mexico) and half to JINWAR, a feminist project in the heart of Rojava (Western Kurdistan/Northern Syria). In the booklet there is detailed information about the history and respective situation on the ground.
