CD Review: Empresarios' 'El Sonido Magico'

Empresarios
El Sonido Magico
Fort Knox

Washington, DC's Empresarios know how to rock the world with tropical beats, electronic horns, languid melodies, and dance-floor dubs better than any group out there. The blazing horns, sparkling keys, airy flutes, urban beats, and thick percussion signal a great recording from each repeated listen. The gritty beats and in-your-face-lyrics are Spanish and fiery to the touch. There are thirteen upbeat tracks to feast on. There are salsa, dub, cumbia, house, trance, reggae, rock, electronica, and urban music styles represented here. Fans of contemporary Latin downtempo and Latin-beat music will love Empresarios' latest recording. I'm impressed with Empresarios. You will be, too. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: All Good Funk Alliance's 'Jack Of All Trades'

All Good Funk Alliance
Jack Of All Trades
Fort Knox Recordings

All Good Funk Alliance (otherwise known as AGFA) is an electro-funk ensemble with urban, groovy, techno, spacey, and stylistic in its approach to music-making. The electrified vocals resemble the same modifications by the group Air. A variety of musicians lend their talents to the mix founded by Frank Cueto and Rusty Belicek. You will hear Rubber Johnson, Neighbour, Think Tank, Mustafa Akbar, Empresarios, and Piper Davis. The disco-influences, funk-blended, giddy mix of electronica provides a good dance beat and electro-pop jam to get any parted started with ease. Jack Of All Trades aptly represents the varied musical genres inherent in the mix. For example, hip hop, rap, and nu-disco tunes heat up the album with loads of swag and style. The thirteen tracks are not for the faint of heart, as the beats are sure to get anyone moving. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Nappy Riddem's 'One World Sovereignty'

Nappy Riddem
One World Sovereignty
Fort Knox

The funky, hip-hop, and soul infections of Nappy Riddem cover many genres and styles of American, South American, and Caribbean music. The brainchild behind Nappy Riddem is the duo of Rex Riddem and Mustafa Akbar. Based in Washington, D.C., Nappy Riddem creates dance tracks, funky loops, sizzling percussion, and alternative-pop lyrics with a societal awareness that graces each track. The funk-driven "Shango" contains more of an urban, African beat with a bit of soul thrown in. "DTA (Dreadlock Transit Authority)" is a reggae-infused track with funky beats and a groovy bass line. "Suspicious Love" is a jazzy, groove-ladened track with the smoothness of a French downtempo score or a Zero 7 track. At any rate, Nappy Riddem is a formidable force in the world of global funk and groove. One World Sovereignty reflects Nappy Riddem's global appeal. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Impressive Empresarios

Empresarios

Sabor Tropical

Fort Knox

The Washington, D.C.-based band of modern Latin-funk is hitting the streets with the most impressive dance beats, trip hop rhythms, and dub-step on the market today. The Latin grooves border on jazz styles that heat up any occasion or mood. "Siesta" is an instrumental track right out of a Tejano film thriller. The album's title track, "Sabor Tropical", or 'Taste Tropical', contains a rhythmic groove out of the barrios or any club in Havana, Cuba. The Spanish vocals do not detract from the instrumentation and percussive tones. If there was such a thing as a Latino-Arab sound, then "Negrita Linda" would be a prime example. The deep bass beat, keyboards, and string sounds resemble an urban rhythm indicative of a club somewhere in Cairo. The classic throwback to Brazilian psychedelica and trip hop is the mainstay on "Grouper Soup". Dubtronica is another genre explored on "Happy Track". All in all, a good mix of vocals, modern sounds, and eclectic sounds paved by earlier artists, notably Nortec Collective, make Sabor Tropical an unforgettable release to start the new year and cause a January thaw wherever it is played. ~ Matthew Forss