Santa Cecilia - 1975 - Baila el Bump

Santa Cecilia

1975 

Baila el Bump

01. Baila Bump (1a. Parte) 2:58

02. Yeh Yeah Bump 3:38

03. Mi Nena Baila El Bump 2:44

04. Mi Adoracion Era Verla 3:15

05. Africa Bump 3:08

06. Baila Bump (2a. Parte) 3:10

07. Bump En Percusion 4:35

08. Tu Eres La Primera, La Ultima Y Mi Todo 3:22

09. Solo Vivo Para Ti 4:12

Sergio Ruíz: vocals

Javier De la Torre: bass

Julio De la Torre: guitar

Mulo Alvarado: keyboards

Released in 1975 by the Mexican label Orfeón, Baila el Bump is an intriguing and funky dance album from Grupo Santa Cecilia, a lesser-known act from Mexico City. The album stands out as a time capsule of mid-'70s musical trends, capitalizing on the global dance craze of "the Bump," a popular dance style similar to the American Shuffle. This LP is designed to get listeners moving, with its infectious rhythms and playful energy, while also reflecting the band’s ability to blend genres.

The album features nine tracks, clocking in at around 31 minutes, and is heavily centered on the "Bump" theme—several song titles explicitly reference it, like "Baila Bump" and "Yeh Yeah Bump." The sound is rooted in deep funk, with groovy basslines and a driving beat, but it’s infused with the band’s pop-rock origins, giving it a distinctive flavor. A standout feature is the use of atypical instrumentation for a funk record, such as a tinny combo organ that adds a quirky, retro charm. Tracks like "Africa Bump" hint at an eclectic influence, possibly nodding to Afro-Latin rhythms, while maintaining a cohesive dance-floor vibe.

Critically, Baila el Bump is a departure from Grupo Santa Cecilia’s earlier work, which leaned more toward pop-rock. This shift suggests an intentional pivot to ride the wave of the dance music trend, and the result is a fun, unpretentious record that doesn’t take itself too seriously. While it may not be a groundbreaking masterpiece, it’s a terrific listen for fans of funky Latin music or anyone curious about Mexico’s take on global dance fads of the era. The album’s rarity—having been tucked away in obscurity for years—only adds to its charm for collectors and crate-diggers.