CD Review: Very Be Careful's 'Remember Me From The Party?'

Very Be Careful
Remember Me From The Party?
Downtown Pijao

LA-based Afro-Colombian vallenato maestros, Very Be Careful, bring us another fine recording of upbeat, dance music on accordion, percussion, and other heart-pulsing instrumentation. The danceable music is characteristic of South American, Latin American, and North American tejano. The accordion-driven music is uptempo and refreshing, especially on "El Mosquito." Nevertheless, there are twelve rippling tunes of sonic beauty. The party atmosphere is full of vallenato music. Nothing is amiss here. The instrumentation and Spanish vocals are top notch throughout. Very Be Careful is essentially a party-version of Colombian polka music. Remember Very Be Careful is a group that knows how to perform. All in all, it's that good. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: California's 'Very Be Careful'

Very Be Careful

Escape Room

Barbes Records

The L.A.-based Colombian-American band, Very Be Careful, is a group of vallenato and cumbia influenced musicians with an assortment of traditional instruments, including guacharacas, cowbells, caja vallenatas, and accordions. The bass also makes an appearance. Don't let the accordion-toting Ricardo Guzman fool you into thinking this is a polka party. Yet, there is a party element here, but it's not German. If you combined South American beat-jazz with progressive, punk-folk, then you have the gist of Escape Room. Each track captures the rich, musical textures of Colombian folk music in voice and song. Escape Room contains two tracks by other musicians, including Calixto Ochoa and Abel Antonio Villa. There is a pervasive, groovy, trance-like beat that permeates each song. Their music is great for parties and having fun. ~ Matthew Forss