TROPICAL DIASPORA #1

Tropical Diaspora Records® Reclaims Memory with Groundbreaking Vinyl Compilation, Transforming a Legacy of Loss into a Symphony of Survival

Berlin, São Paulo, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, San Juan, Chicago, Salvador da Bahia, Recife, Olinda, Cali, Madrid, 2019 – Tropical Diaspora Records® today announces the official release of its inaugural vinyl compilation, a profound musical journey titled simply Compilation #1. More than a collection of songs, this record is a powerful act of remembrance, dedicated to the ancestors of the Afro-Diaspora and directly confronting the brutal history of the transatlantic slave trade through a modern lens of resilience and cultural preservation.

The compilation’s central theme draws from the harrowing historical rituals of Ouidah, Benin—a major slave port. Here, enslaved Africans were forced to circle the "Tree of Forgetfulness" in a brutal attempt to erase their identity, culture, and history, before being held in lightless barracks known as the "Zomai" and passing through the "Door of No Return." This record defiantly inverts that narrative.

"Compilation #1 transforms the Tree of Forgetfulness into a powerful network of remembrances," states the label. "It gives voice to the daughters and sons of the slave trade. It is a testimony to how enslaved Africans kept their cultures and history alive, giving birth to one of the most amazing cultural experiments of humankind."

A Global Collective Sound
Featuring ten tracks from nine independent bands spanning the Americas and Europe, the compilation showcases the vibrant and living evolution of Diasporic music. The artists, hailing from Brazil, Colombia, Puerto Rico, the USA, Spain, and Germany, represent the very cultures forged in the crucible of this history. Their sounds—a fusion of Afrobeat, Ska, Cumbia, Folk, and urban rhythms—are the proof of a culture that refused to be forgotten.

The Physical Artifact: A Vessel for Memory
Housed in a transparent vinyl disc, the music is complemented by a comprehensive inner sleeve containing all song lyrics and a poster, making the physical release a complete and immersive experience. It is designed not just to be heard, but to be held and explored.

Featured Artists & Tracklist:
Side A: Forgetfulness

Höröyá (Brazil) – Griot Xamã
La Rueda (Colombia/Spain) – El Rurrú
Bantunagojêje – Sereno
Ska Maria Pastora (Brazil) – Fanfarra Dominicana
El Santo Golpe (USA) – El Ladrón

Side B: No Return

Bando (Puerto Rico) – Cangrejo
Los Made In Barcelona (Spain) – We are Street
Abeokuta (Brazil) – Mr. Job
Höröyá (Brazil) – Mandin’groove
Riosentí (Germany/Mex/Arg) – Canción para Cariño

Availability
Tropical Diaspora Records® Compilation #1 was officially released on October 5, 2019, at the Indy Label Market in Paris. The limited-edition transparent vinyl is available through select independent record stores and directly via the label’s online platform.

Disclaimer: The images shown are for illustration and mock-up purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product.