His thought-provoking musical creativity has been used to great effect in the soundtracks for films such as Short Sharp Shock (Kurz und schmerzlos), the road movie In July (Im Juli) and the multi-award-winning drama Head-On (Gegen die Wand), the worldwide hit of Turkish-German director Fatih Akin. Sangre y Sal (Blood and Salt), is the third solo album by Chilean singer/songwriter and guitarist Daniel Puente Encina. 11 tracks reflecting the journey of this indomitable artist, able to display even greater originality with every new album he releases.

This varied and—most importantly—entertaining repertoire is inspired by the mark left by Africa on the criolla music of Peru, Argentina and (naturally) his home country, Chile. The result is an astonishing range of sounds: Afro-Peruvian rhythms with dashes of flamenco, Guaguancó (Cuban rumba), Argentinian zamba and Peruvian waltz are organically and naturally interweaved with Latin swing and boleros, whose common denominator is the exquisite, sophisticated percussion of cajón and congas, together with Spanish guitars, in true explosion of leather and wood.

On this album, he is accompanied by the young Mexican criolla guitar maestro guitarist Carlos Corona, Brazilian bassist Trigo Santana (Young Musicians Award 2007), Afro-Peruvian cajón virtuosa Laura Robles and renowned multi-percussionists Daniel "Topo" Gioia from Argentina, Latin Jazz percussionist Matteo Bowinkelmann from Germany, as well as German trombonist Jörg Bücheler and Japanese saxophonist Han Sato. The 20-page booklet includes the lyrics in Spanish and English.

Avant-garde and tradition come together in the creations of this artist who has, since the end of the 90s, become a cult icon amongst trendsetters and fans alike. Born in Santiago de Chile, Daniel Puente Encina, is best known for creating a wide variety of musical projects with very different styles as anti-fascist Pinochet Boys (Santiago de Chile 1984-1987), Niños Con Bombas (Hamburg 1994-1999) —John Lennon Talent Award 1995— and Polvorosa (Barcelona 2000-2011).

He has been producing and performing music under his own name since 2012. His minimal Caribbean- Blues album "Disparo" (Shot) was followed by the cosmopolitan and orchestral "Chocolate Con Ají" (Chocolate with Chili) in 2014. Sangre y Sal (Blood and Salt) will be published on June 14.

DANIEL PUENTE ENCINA - EL PROCESO DE PRODUCIR UN NUEVO ÁLBUM

Personally, every time I come to producing a new album, it’s like a new adventure. A journey into the unknown. Daring to leave behind what you’ve already done to seek out a new future. It’s no different this time, so here I am again with my pack half full, or half empty, meaning I can use the things I’ve collected in my previous journey, whilst also having room to pick up whatever I may find along the way.

When I embarked upon this journey into the heart of the music of Latin America, my default music, I couldn’t begin to imagine how deep this jungle would be, so full of mystery, so full of treasures. The connections are becoming increasingly complex. The centuries lay atop one another in layers, fusing together in rhythms and melodies that tell ancient tales ranging from East to West, that constant cultural flowing of an ocean of blood, tears and dreams.

All this dazzling reflection that shines with sublime nostalgia, running from Persia to Al-Andalus, ranging through West Africa, the South American Pacific and the Caribbean, all intertwined and entangled in these songs.

Even after living so many years in Europe, I still want to sound—keeping the clichés to a minimum—as Latin and as “real” as possible, while wrestling with the enormous challenge of not forgetting about myself in the attempt. Me, that contradiction and the reflection of the times, that impossible blend of the wonderful music of the twentieth century, the chaos and horror of South America’s military dictatorships and the current digital age, of speed and global fake news.

That’s why I’ve invoked all these musical spirits from my continent. They torment me, they laugh at me but, in the end, they stand alongside me and guide me. To them, I dedicate this new album, Sangre y Sal (Blood and Salt), which I’ve written and

recorded with the idea that it be just a new, small part of something much bigger.

SANGRE Y SAL - SONG BY SONG

1. Relámpago negro (Black lightning)
The tale of a timeless loser in the dark night of the soul. The atmosphere is tropical and the peace merely that comes before the storm. #LatinJazz #Blues #Chachacha #Pop #Ballad #Alternative

2. Vengo corriendo (I’m coming running)
When injustice rules and politics is at the service of amoral and unscrupulous power, all that remains is to flee to the hills, with a hope of change in your pack. A rough, peasant musical framework blending Chilean cueca and Argentinean zamba with a Moroccan riff from the Maghreb. #LatinAlternative #World #CuecaChilena #ZambaArgentina

3. Antes de la caída (Before the fall)
When in Cuba, Daniel heard a drunk lurching about saying "Ten cuida'o voy de la'o" (Watch out, I’m going sideways!”). An Afro-infused descent into hell. A Cuba rumba against the backdrop of the cyclical rhythm of a strange and dark djembe. #LatinAlternative #SingerSongwriter #Pop #World

4. Frente al mar (By the sea)
Voodo Love! When everything’s going wrong and we forget who we are, love brings us hope. Santería, love and devotion, invoking blessings. Voodoo Love! Batá rhythm and Afro bass. #LatinAlternative #ContemporaryLatin #Pop #World

5. Love is the only sound
An amour fou with fatal consequences. Impossible to continue. Impossible to end. Cha-cha-cha, rum and romance in a suffocating atmosphere with an unforgettable sax. #SmoothJazz #Ballad #LatinJazz #ContemporaryLatin #Chachacha

6. Sangre y sal (Blood and salt)
Existentialism and the sea come together in a dreamlike, underwater ode. A slow, hypnotic Afro riff. #Ballad #LatinAlternative #World

7. Lucifer tras de mí (Lucifer behind mi)
The timeless drama of a useless sinner desperately seeking redemption. Latino groove straight out of the Bronx with street, bad-boy soul. #LatinAlternative #Blues #CrossoverJazz #ContemporaryLatin

8. Bipolar
The curse of depression to the rhythm of zamba under the merciless sun of the pampa. A poetic trova theme with a furious ending. #LatinAlternative #Ballad #World

9. Con nocturnidad (By night)
Bohemia, alcoholism and swing with Lindy hop. #Swing #CrossoverJazz #Dixieland

10. Marcas las fronteras (You set the boundaries)
Redemptive love beating back the demons. Hope is sweet and from Lima, infused with cinnamon and chili. Afro-Peruvian Valsa with touches of Zamacueca. #Ballad #Alternative #Latin #World

11. Falta de ti (The lack of you)
Lack of love amongst mansions, swimming pools and sequins. Cynical, despairing Latin slow swing. #Swing #Ballad #Pop #LatinAlternative #SmoothJazz #CrossoverJazz