CD Review: Ola Fresca's 'Elixir'

Ola Fresca
Elixir
Pipiki Records

Cuban-American singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer, Jose Conde, spices things up with a heady mix of Latin sounds and rhythms with his band, Ola Fresca. Steeped in a rich history of Cuban son, rumba, timba, salsa, Puerto Rican influences, and related styles, Elixir attempts to convey a tropical message of percussion-heavy, musical tunes. The nine energetic tracks are marked by great vocals, heavy percussion, sweeping piano, and traditional instrumentation for a truly magical experience. The Latin horns are equally enthralling and cement Ola Fresca's musical presence in Latin, Caribbean, and tropical genres. This is ideal for tropical, beach parties, lounging, weddings, or other special occasions. It is even suitable for lazy, unproductive days when you can't (or won't) do any chores! Available as a download, CD, or LP. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ani Cordero's 'Recordar: Latin American Songs of Love & Protest'

Ani Cordero
Recordar: Latin American Songs of Love & Protest
La Nana Music

Puerto Rican-born and Brooklyn-based, Ani Cordero sings songs from an era of love and protest with Recordar: Latin American Songs of Love & Protest. The songs are mostly tunes originally conceived in the 1960's, but one song dates from 1930, one from 1942, and still a few others originate from the 1970's. The countries of origin for the songs come from Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Venezuela. Ani lends her vocals, guitar skills, and percussion repertoire to the album, alongside other instruments, such as bass, guitar, accordion, trumpet, flugelhorn, ngoni, trumpet, keyboards, cello, piano, and assorted percussion. The songs are uppity, classic, and catchy. Anyone with an interest in nostalgic songs from Latin America will love Ani's new album. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Danny Rivera and Nelson Gonzalez's 'Obsesion'

Danny Rivera and Nelson Gonzalez
Obsesion
Marmara House Records

Puerto Rican-singer, Danny Rivera, and tres virtuoso, Nelson Gonzalez, bring us a page out of a Latin American songbook that is filled with great singing and great percussion. The eleven-track release contains jazzy, Latin-inspired songs with laid-back compositions and bolero-esque elements. "Obsesion," "Cristal," "Franqueza," and "Capullito De Aleli" are some of the album's highlights. The classic ballad sound is prevalent throughout, but the vocals are full of life, wisdom, and desire. The historic connection is very relevant. The heartfelt vocals are prominent and mature. There are cinematic strings and classical elements, which provides a dramatic and emotive result. Fans of classical jazz, Puerto Rican music, and Latin music will find Danny and Nelson very intriguing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Plena Libre's 'Corazon'

Plena Libre
Corazon
GN Musica

Plena Libre is a vibrant dance group to come out of Puerto Rico. The band presents us with plena and bomba dance beats with an equal dose of meringue, songo, Latin jazz, and some rock elements. The energetic music is characteristic of many groups in Latin America and the Caribbean. The rich percussion, horns, vocals, and melodies are never boring or lacking enthusiasm. The lush harmonies and upbeat jibaro grooves are something to enjoy. The director, Gary Nunez, plays the bass, while others play various hand drums, guiro, keyboards, congas, piano, timbale, and trombones. The fluid melodies are indicative of Brazilian samba, but the music is definitely inspired by the danceable rhythms of the Caribbean. Corazon is the heart and soul of Puerto Rican music. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Hijos de Agueybana's 'Agua del Sol'

Hijos de Agueybana
Agua del Sol
Tumi Music

Puerto Rico's Hijos de Agueybana play bomba music on their latest offering, Agua del Sol. Bomba music is a richly-textured drum and dance music form born out of a group of Africans forced to work sugar plantations. The barrel drums and vocal choruses make the music stand out with tons of rhythm and magical musical textures. The group is led by Otoqui Reyes and consists of eight musicians. THe largely traditional nature of the vocals, drumming, and assorted percussion make Agua del Sol soar high with African ambiance. The thirteen tracks are rich with vibrant vocals and drumming, which resemble West African traditions in a contemporary form. The only sense of modernity is captured in the opening song, "Saludo al Sol," which includes an electronic pan flute sound that plays throughout the mostly instrumental piece. Anyone interested in the traditional music of Puerto Rico should find Hijos de Agueybana in their repertoire. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective's 'Roots Before Branches'

Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective
Roots Before Branches
Self-Release

Henry Cole is a Puerto Rican drummer and musician with a knack for anything Afro-Caribbean and jazz. Roots Before Branches is full of lively vocal sets with elements of hip hop, funk, and downtempo. The vocals are more aligned with Latin influences, while the instrumental segments take on an afrobeat character. The extended instrumental tracks and portions of songs are especially appealing, because they provide a perfect situation for kicking back and relaxing to the Afro-jazz-Latin sounds of the cross-cultural abyss called world music. The horn and trumpet segments are backed by a languid and upbeat percussion foundation that never ceases to amaze all who listen. Some tracks are particularly fast-paced with vibrant percussion, funky grooves, and rootsy melodies. At any rate, Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective brings a delicious mix of dance music to the table with loads of Latin spice and African sensibilities that incorporate American jazz idioms. Fans of Afrobeat music and golden Afro-funk will love Roots Before Branches. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Bio Ritmo's 'La Verdad'

Bio Ritmo

La Verdad

Electric Cowbell

The East Coast of the U.S. is home to a salsa explosion of sorts. The acclaimed Bio Ritmo presents us with La Verdad (Truth), an album that is teeming with hot rhythms, hot horns, and hot vocals. The music in question is largely funk-salsa with a dose of South American and American urbanisms. The nine long tracks are lively, rhythmic, and salsa-focused compositions of intense beauty. Crafty labels aside, Bio Ritmo exudes a Latin beat spirit and Puerto Rican charisma that holds firm and doesn't let go. The ten-member band helps bring back the salsa from years gone by with a host of horns, singers, pianists, percussionists, and songwriters with a futuristic sound developed from the great salsa classics. Maintaining originality is Bio Ritmo's specialty. Plus, the addition of unconventional instruments, such as Farfisa organ, synths, kalimba, and cuica, makes La Verdad stand out from the crowd with its global leanings. Tortilla chips are best served with salsa and a side of Bio Ritmo. ~ Matthew Forss

2-CD Review: Joaquin Joe Claussell's 'Hammock House: Africa Caribe'

Various Artists

Hammock House: Africa Caribe [2-CD]

Codigo

Producer Joaquin "Joe" Claussell's latest mix is the new double-CD release of Hammock House: Africa Caribe. The title suggests a Latin and African presence, which is more than a casual happenstance. In fact, Joaquin reinvigorates early music reels from the Fania Records archives. As a Puerto Rican, Joaquin has surrounded himself with the 'nuyorican' identity and lifestyle from the beginning. The Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Latin jazz, and salsa music from the 1970's is presented on both discs. However, the first disc contains thirty tracks that play continuously and include the music of Ray Barretto, Mental Remedy, Celia Cruz, Lou Perez, Eddie Palmieri, Jaidene "Jai" Veda, Mongo Santamaria, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, and Ismael Miranda. There are also five tracks devoted to pre-track chatter amounting to no more twenty-four seconds in all. Importantly, the music is not trance or electronic as with other remixes. Instead, the original musical integrity is preserved with a Latin backdrop and danceable forefront. The second disc contains nine tracks by Eddie Palmieri, Mongo Santamaria, Ismael Miranda, Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz, Jai Veda, and Lou Perez. The smooth and sultry sounds of both discs encapsulate a wide-breadth of musical experiences and rhythms in our contemporary age. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Marta Topferova's Czech-Latin "TROVA"

Marta Topferova

Trova

World Village

Czech-born and New York-based, Marta Topferova, follows her 2006 release Flor Nocturna with the latest album, Trova. The Czech connection pretty much ends with her name. The music is primarily in Spanish, and indicative of the Latin/Caribbean troubadour-type ensembles. Interestingly, Trova is the root word for troubadour. It is only fitting that Trova would not fail to live up to the expectations of Caribbean, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Latin American music fans everywhere. Marta's voice seems more mature, but wonderfully heartfelt. There is an element of fado or flamenco that creeps up throughout the album. Marta sings and plays the guitar and cuatro. This is probably the only Czech-born, Latin music-making musician you will ever come across. In that regard, Trova is a vital link between the Spanish and European worlds. If anything, you will smile and find your toes tapping to the percussive and rhythmic tunes of Marta Topferova. ~ Matthew Forss