Paris-based Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos invite listeners into the dawn of a new day with 'SOL', their transformative sophomore album.

Powerful Venezuelan rhythms and traditional songs interweave seamlessly with spiritual and futuristic jazz, psychedelic funk, experimental electronics and Afrobeat drumming, to create an exhilarating and boundary-defying journey.

'SOL' bridges the deep roots of African and indigenous Venezuelan traditions with a forward-looking embrace of modern influences. Drawing inspiration from the funky futurism of George Clinton to Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi period, and from Jeff Parker to Nyege Nyege Tapes, SOL resonates as both culturally anchored and utterly modern. Featuring an array of impeccable artists from across the music scene; UK artist and producer Emanative, Congolese guitarist and former member of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80, Kiala Nzavotunga, and with production by Heliocentrics’ Malcolm Catto, frequent collaborator with Madlib and Quantic and Yann Jankielewicz musical director of Tony Allen's band.

At its heart, 'SOL' reflects a theme of rebirth and perseverance. The sun — representing renewal, consistency, and radiant energy — is a profound symbol in the album, echoing the vibrant June 24th celebrations of Saint John the Baptist in Venezuela’s coastal regions. These festivals, which align with the summer solstice, embody resilience, cultural identity, and spiritual freedom, paying homage to Afro-Venezuelan ancestors who resisted oppression through music, dance, and unity. The acclaimed Venezuelan singer Carlos Tález, a leading figure in traditional Venezuelan folk music, and Venezuelan master percussionist Gustavo Ovalles (David Murray, Omar Sosa, Seckou Keita) join the group to pay authentic homage to these traditions on 'SOL'.

Venezuelan-born Monsalve - who cut his teeth playing post-rock, avant-jazz-funk, Afro-Venezuelan and Latin music in Caracas - is on a mission to explore the complex heritage of his homeland. In the Caracas neighbourhood or ‘barrio’ of Sarria, Monsalve learnt the importance of drums and the complex rhythmic patterns in this music, and this understanding is clearly evident throughout 'SOL'. Now based in Paris as of ten years ago, he works with musicians from the Venezuelan and Latin diasporas in Europe - namely in London and Paris.

Their last album 'Bichos' (2020) paid homage to Afrobeat pioneers like Fela Kuti and Orlando Julius - who Monsalve toured with extensively alongside the Heliocentrics, whilst incorporating the essence of Afro-Venezuelan percussion & rhythms and featured guest vocals from celebrated Venezuelan artists Luzmira Zerpa (Family Atlantica), and Betsayda Machado. The album earned them international acclaim with trusted media outlets such as The Wire, Songlines, Libération, Radio Nova, and FIP and tastemakers like Gilles Peterson, Jamz Supernova, Zakia, Mafalda, Colin Curtis, Patrick Forge across BBC Radio 6 Music, NTS and Worldwide FM. This widespread praise propelled Los Forajidos to stages at renowned festivals such as the Super Sonic Jazz Festival in Amsterdam, Shambala Festival in the UK and Calgary Folk Music Festival in Canada.

The album opens with “Fuego al campanero” (meaning “Fire of the Bell Ringer”), a vibrant fusion of traditional and modern sounds. The track gradually builds, from shimmering synths and bells, symbolising sunrise and the promise of light, into an exuberant call-and-response Venezuelan chant led by Carlos Tález and Raúl, delivered over a ‘1999’ era Prince inspired bassline and a wall of percussion. Nando Guerrero plays the song out with a dub-treated flute melody before the final bell rings.

With 'SOL', the group takes a significant leap forward. What began as a rotating studio project for Raúl, grew into a tighter and more creative beast following the success and tours of Bichos. Alongside Monsalve on bass, vocals and percussion, the core group includes vocalist Lya Bonilla, keyboardist Edgar Bonilla, Colombian saxophonist Andrés Vela, and drummer Mario Orsinet (of Seun Kuti's Egypt 80).

The album opens with "Fuego al campanero" (meaning “Fire of the Bell Ringer”), a vibrant fusion of traditional and modern sounds. The track gradually builds, from shimmering synths and bells, symbolising sunrise and the promise of light, into an exuberant call-and-response Venezuelan chant led by Carlos Tález and Raúl, delivered over a ‘1999’ era Prince inspired bassline and a wall of percussion. Nando Guerrero plays the song out with a dub-treated flute melody before the final bell rings.

"Como el Sol" (“Like the sun”) follows. John Coltrane’s Like Sonny is reimagined over Afro-Venezuelan drums, aided by Venezuelan master percussionist Gustavo Ovalles, and gritty, Mwandishi-style synths. Its centrality to the album is clear by its title, and the lyrical content of the chant towards its end, beseeching the sun to “not go out”, to bring abundance and blessings, to see all, and to “let your soul shine”.

Another album highlight, "Machete no hace piquito", refers to a flower so strong “no matter how much they hit her with a machete - She doesn't bend or get cut”, not even “un piquito”. A powerful metaphor for resilience and strength in the face of adversity. The song serves as the album’s strongest link to ‘Bichos’, uniting classic Afrobeat sounds via current and past Egypt 80 members - drummer Mario Orsinet and guitarist Kiala Nzavotunga, with the tambor mina Afro-Venezuelan drumming of Barlovento, the ‘Bichos’ horn section led by Andres Vela, and rousing vocals led by Lya Bonilla.

The percussive "Ofrenda" offers one of the best examples of the group’s development - stripping the sound down to a thick wall of percussion, offset by pulsing synth and bass. UK producer, artist, drummer and percussionist Emanative contributes an entire hypnotic interlude on "Hamaca".

'SOL' marks a transformative next step for Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos, a testament to the group’s evolving artistry and strengthened group dynamic. Having grown from a studio project to a touring band, the group’s closer synergy is evident in their bold explorations of sound and song. By incorporating new influences, experiments and collaborations, 'SOL' not only pushes their creative boundaries but also solidifies their identity as a vibrant force in modern Venezuelan and global music.