CD Review: Bio Ritmo's 'Puerta Del Sur'

Bio Ritmo
Puerta Del Sur
Vampisoul

Afro-Cuban salsa from Virginia? You bet. The guys of Bio Ritmo create foot-stompin' and head-bobbin' melodies ripe with salsa elements, vintage melodies, gritty guitars, punchy horns, and funky-experimental songs that are multinational and multi-faceted. There are glittering keyboard arrangements, down-and-dirty percussive set-ups, and fluid bass-lines. The last track, "Codeina," is more of a classical tune with strings at the beginning of the song, which then fade to make way for a Middle Eastern percussive section and vocal arrangements of a similar vein with a bit of electronica and jazz thrown in for fun. At any rate, the Latin groove, contemporary arrangements, and psych-funk-jazz concoctions are very enjoyable and a perfect companion for anyone seeking inventive and creative Afro-Cuban music with a few variations and influences. ~ 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