Adrian Quesada announces the release of Boleros Psicodélicos, a sprawling and singular tribute to the golden era of balada music. Out June 3 on ATO Records, the brand new album from the GRAMMY-winning guitarist, producer and Black Pumas co-founder serves as a celebration of the super funky, slightly delirious and deeply soulful sounds that transcended the cultural boundaries of Latin America throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Featuring vocals from Puerto Rican icon, GRAMMY-winner and former Calle 13 member iLe, Colombian-American visionary Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Mexican R&B star Girl Ultra, as well as Angelica Garcia, Gaby Moreno, contributions from living legends such as Marc Ribot and Beastie Boys musician Money Mark, and many more, Boleros Psicodélicos consists primarily of original Adrian Quesada compositions, as well as covers of La Lupe’s “Puedes Decir De Mí,” Jeanette’s “El Muchacho De Los Ojos Tristes” and other balada classics. All twelve tracks were produced, engineered, mixed and largely performed by Adrian Quesada, honoring and extending the influence of a personal obsession that he has cultivated over the past 20 years. 

On the album opener and lead single, an original song titled “Mentiras Con Cariño,” Adrian Quesada and iLe introduce Boleros Psicodélicos with a spellbinding homage and enchantingly inventive reimagination of balada’s signature elements: heartbreak backed by a heavy groove, blending the smoothness of bossa nova with the warmth of analog recording, torrid pathos with opulent instrumentation. Along with the accompanying music video, also out today, iLe and Quesada conjure a portal into the cinematic world of sound.

“Making ‘Mentiras Con Cariño’ with Adrian was very fun since we share a similar appreciation for old school boleros,” adds iLe. “We both love the style of musical arrangements and textures that became a classic signature sound in those times where imperfections made everything feel just right. I wrote this song thinking about feeling sufficient with yourself on your own, even though love didn’t turn out to be the way you wanted.”

Music video director Cesar Berrios says, “‘Mentiras Con Cariño’ gives off a timeless aura. Working together with Adrian and iLe, we really wanted to make the visuals for this song to feel like a late ’60s, early ’70s performance. From the aspect ratio to the final image. It was a fun video to shoot and the vibes were immaculate.”

Photo Courtesy: Cesar Berrios