CD Review: Ojos De Brujo Reworked

Various Artists
Ojos De Brujo Reworked
Urban World

Spearheaded by Al Lindrum, the music of Ojos De Brujo is reinvented, reworked, and rewired with the talents of a multitude of contributors, including Farrapo, George Vala, Empresarios, Makala, Suonho, Los Chicos Altos, Tony Seal, Duboffensive, and many others. Fans of Ojos De Brujo will be impressed with the jazzy, dub-ready, and dance-inflected compositions that have inspired musicians and listeners all over the world to create such beauty. The funky drum and bass, cumbia sounds, and dancehall song structures make the album shine with effervescent qualities. The vocals are Latin-esque and well-executed overall. The thirteen tracks span a wide cross-section of material, but in the end, Ojos De Brujo is the real winner here. The remixes are inventive and ear-catching. This is for the upbeat fan out there. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Gadjo's 'Gadjistan Zizany'

Gadjo
Gadjistan Zizany
Self-Release

The Barcelona-based group, Gadjo, is a dynamic musical experience incorporating a number of instruments, styles, and origins extending across the Mediterranean, Spain, and Eastern Europe. The Balkan influence is highly-present, as well as a bit of polka, ska, cumbia, Latin, dance, and swing music. The party-like atmosphere created by a cacophony of instruments and vocals is rather structured, but it creates the impression it is more improvisational than it really is. The quirky horns, rousing percussion, lively vocals, and groovy tunes traverse the world's traditions in one place. The playful styles and sounds do not get boring and they are contemporary, but not electronic, in their approach. The witty "Two Left Feet" is a Balkan brass great with fun vocals and Khmer-esque, jazzy grooves that are more likely to come from Dengue Fever or Ersatzmusika, than a Balkan or Spanish group. Still, the fifteen songs are diverse, energetic, and playful throughout. Grab Gadjo's latest release for an hour of good times. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Rumba Vella's 'Els Ignorant'

Rumba Vella

Els Ignorants

Taller de Musics

The Barcelona-based group, Rumba Vella, largely produce Catalonia music with a rumba edge, Latin American vibe, and a nostalgic, French feel. The twelve musical tracks go way back to the 1960's and 70's, while others were first popularized by Panama's Ruben Blades and Puerto Rico's Ray Barretto. The highly-danceable music is accomplished with guitars, bass, percussion, and violin in a slightly syncopated song structure. The rumba, flamenco, and tropical sounds are inspired by Spain's musical history. The musicians know how to produce good vocal tracks with better-than-average lyrics and lively, dance tracks with a range of percussive sounds that span Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. However, the relatively short running time of forty-minutes is a less-than-desirable quality. Still, Rumba Vella is a 'danse de vigueur' to be reckoned with. ~ Matthew Forss