CD Review: Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca's 'La Rumba SoYo'

Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
La Rumba SoYo
Cumbancha

With ties to Congo, Angola, and the United States, Ricardo Lemvo and his Makina Loca band continue to put out Afro-Cuban hits. La Rumba SoYo is another fine example of Ricardo's uncanny way of producing and performing amazing music with ease. Due to Africa's various musical influences and origins, Ricardo incorporates some Angolan contemporary music with Congolese guitar rhythms, and Portuguese-tinged tunes with unforgettable consequences. There is a star-studded cast of musicians involved in the production of the album, including Mario Aguilar, Jose Papo Rodriguez, Danta Pascuzzo, Yordan Martinez, and about two-dozen other artists. The Los Angeles-based Ricardo spices the music up with rumba, salsa, and contemporary grooves that are Afro-pop and Afro-Cuban. All eleven tracks are sure to please fans of African music everywhere! ~ Matthew Forss