Conclave's 2021 debut gets a fresh summer spotlight
The self-titled album is described as a New York summer record mixing Latin grooves, funk bass, house, salsa and jazz.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Conclave’s self-titled 2021 debut has been singled out as a summer listen by The Verge’s Terrence O’Brien, who framed the record as a city record built for heat, pavement and street-corner parties. The recommendation matters for listeners looking beyond beach-and-barbecue staples for a warm-weather album with a New York pulse.
O’Brien wrote that the album has stayed in his summer rotation since 2022, after a walk through New York in harsh June heat turned around when the second track, “Habla,” locked into its rhythm. He said the song’s groove left him moving in time with the music and briefly lifted his mood.
The Verge described the album as a blend of Latin rhythm, synth-heavy funk, smooth singing and dance music. O’Brien argued that Conclave evokes New York street life more than coastal or backyard imagery, pointing to “Habla” and “Perdón” as tracks that suggest hot asphalt, sidewalk domino games, open hydrants and apartments without working air conditioning.
A broad mix of influences
According to O’Brien, the record pulls from several dance and pop traditions without sounding scattered. He cited “Take Heed (Nu Sunlight)” and “Alati Yeye Chege” as songs where jazz and salsa meet house music, while noting that P-Funk-style bass appears across the album.
O’Brien also highlighted the album’s Prince echoes, saying the guitar on “Rise (Interlude)” recalls the sweeping, unhurried lead lines associated with “Purple Rain.” He described “Rise,” the full track that follows, as built around electric piano hits before moving into a sparse techno-influenced bass section near its close.
The album’s Bandcamp listing includes 11 tracks: “Intro (feat. Maria Padilla),” “Habla,” “Relax,” “Twice,” “All That I Need (feat. Sharin),” “There’s Enough,” “Perdón,” “Rise (Interlude),” “Rise,” “Alati Yeye Chege” and “Take Heed (Nu Sunlight).” The longest listed song is “Alati Yeye Chege,” at 8 minutes and 41 seconds.
Who is behind Conclave
The Verge identified Cesar Toribio as the Berklee-educated musician behind Conclave. O’Brien wrote that Toribio brings the album’s visible influences together into a unified record rather than a loose collection of references.
Conclave’s debut is available on Bandcamp and on major streaming services including YouTube Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Qobuz and Deezer, according to The Verge.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.