Belafonte Sensacional
Belafonte Sensacional is a Mexican rock and folk rock band based in Mexico City led by musician and composer Israel Ramírez.
History
Belafonte Sensacional was the stage name that in 2009 Israel Ramírez —a musician from Iztapalapa, Mexico City began to use to interpret his songs until the project became a band. The name "Belafonte Sensacional" was taken from Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, although Ramirez has mentioned that it also refers to Mexican pulp magazines called "sensational" such as "Sensacional de Traileros", "Sensacional de barrios" and others.The critic has called Belafonte Sensacional's style as Mexican folk. Among the stylistic influences that Belafonte Sensational has cited are Bob Dylan, Wilco, Bright Eyes, Woody Guthrie, The Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash, Nick Drake; also musicians of the Movimiento rupestre like Rockdrigo González and Jaime López; Trolebús, Three Souls in My Mind and Juan Gabriel. In his songs, references to Mexican literature have been included, such as the novel Gazapo by Gustavo Sainz' and the literary works of José Agustín. In his songs, they frequently uses both Mexico City jargon and places'.
Members
- Israel Ramírez, acoustic guitar, dobro and lead vocals
- Apache O'Raspi, electric bass
- Emilio Guerrero, drums
- Alejandro Guerrero, harmonica and backing vocals
- Emmanuel García, trumpet
- Enrique Álvarez, backing vocals
- Carlos Bergen Dyck, guitar
- Pablo Mendía, keyboards
- Andrea Grain Hayton, visuals and multimedia.
Discography
- 2018: Soy piedra.
- 2017: Destroy.
- 2014: Gazapo.
- 2010: ''Petit riot''
EP
Others
- 2014: "Verte regresar" with Paulina Lasa, in Verte regresar, compilado de canciones por Ayotzinapa, a collective album recorded to support 2014 Iguala mass kidnapping victims