CD Review: Troker's 'Crimen Sonora'

Troker
Crimen Sonora
Intolerancia

The Tex-Mex Balkan funk dance beats of Troker is multi-dimensional and definitely interesting. Troker brings heady electronica, jazz, and muted metal sounds to the alternative forefront throughout the album. There is a mix of swirling noises, sounds, and melodies that traverse the funk, cinematic, and psych worlds in such a fashion as to arouse listeners in a very positive direction. The music moves along with an earnest energy never really heard before in Mexican music. The music is quite contemporary and amorphous with no real multi-international origins, but anyone into experimental, avant-garde, and art rock will love it. The steady world jazz connotations on a few tracks suggests a down-tempo pulse, which they know how to pull off with ease. If you are seeking Mexican maracas, congas, and mariachis; then look elsewhere. These guys are so good they will blow the chimi right out of the changa! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: SLV's 'Dig Deeper'

SLV
Dig Deeper
Luchadora

SLV, otherwise known as, Sandra Lilia Velasquez (of Pistolera-fame), releases her first solo debut EP. Dig Deeper contains three songs in English and one in Spanish. The uppity, Pistolera band music is shed here, as many of the tunes are more laid-back and refined. Meshell Ndegeocello adds bass accompaniment, while Joe Moore plays guitar, Sean Dixon & Mark Giuliana play drums, Sebastian Guerrero plays percussion, and Jason Lindner performs on keyboards and piano. The groovy tunes are top-notch and very fluid. This is down-tempo, Latin music at its finest. Though, there are more jazz influences than Latin. Nevertheless, SLV succeeds with this short, but great release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Radio Jarocho's 'Cafe Cafe'

Radio Jarocho
Cafe Cafe
Chido Records

The NY-based group, Radio Jarocho, is a Mexican music group with ties to Afro-Caribbean, indigenous, and Spanish dances and music. The correct term to identify this type of music is son jarocho. The rhythmic instrumental and vocal interplay is top-notch, as the lilting percussion and jarana, requinto, punteador, leona, marimbal, and zapateado take center-stage. The ten tracks are evocative, mesmerizing, and perfect for family gatherings, birthdays, and quiet evenings along a beach. All of the songs are original, except for "Bemba y Tablao," which is sung by Patricio Hidalgo. Fans of Spanish, Mexican, Latino, indigenous folk, and Caribbean music will love Cafe Cafe. ~ Matthew Forss