CD Review: Sonido Gallo Negro's 'Sendero Mistico'

Sonido Gallo Negro
Sendero Mistico
Glitterbeat

Mexico's engaging and psych-inducing ensemble, Sonido Gallo Negro, brings the sounds of the 1970's alive with cumbia-infused beats, boogaloo, chicha, huayno, and other styles in an action-packed, Farfisa organ-soaked delight of musical exploration in a contemporary context. The mostly instrumental tunes are littered with psych references that contain electric guitars, flowing rhythms, indigenous percussion, and electronic samples. The head-bobbing music is ripe with cumiba sounds and instrumental riffs that strike the soul with such a powerful chord that nothing is impossible for these guys. This is psych-funk music at its best. Fans of Turkey's Hayvanlar Alemi will find similarities with Sonido's music. Overall, Sendero Mistico is a wild journey with danceable rhythms and great melodies that transcend a defined description. However, everyone will find happiness in the tunes of Sonido Gallo Negro. Get your psych-on today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Charlie Dennard's 'From Brazil To New Orleans'

Charlie Dennard 
From Brazil To New Orleans
Self-Release

Charlie Dennard takes listeners on a jazz journey through lounge, boogaloo, fusion, and Brazilian music throughout the nine long tracks on the new album. As the title of the album implies, Charlie brings us a mix of jazz-inspired tunes with an homage to Brazilian composers and the multi-cultural powerhouse of southern Louisiana. The instrumental tunes are full of jazzy melodies and rhythms that contain punchy horns, folksy percussion, and contemporary jazz elements. The lounge jazz feel of some of the tracks is permeated with some Brazilian fusion and improvisational elements, which only adds to the enjoyment of the entire album. The piano offers some meditative influences on "Asa Branca" and "Senhorinha." The bluesy side of jazz rears its head on "Valsa Luisiana." The smooth jazz and Afro-funk fusion of "Africa Mae" is stellar. Overall, Charlie releases a great final product, which bridges the gap between Brazil and New Orleans from a musical standpoint. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Nuyorican Boogaloo

Various Artists
Boogaloo Pow Wow: Dancefloor Rendez-Vous In Young Nuyorica
Honest Jon's Records

Boogaloo Pow Wow... is a window into the Latin-dance sound of New York City in the 1960's. An array of styles permeate the album's tracks. Everything from salsa, Afro-Cuban, son, mambo, pachanga, cha-cha-cha, jazz, bolero, and other styles representative of the Latin diaspora. In a way, these aforementioned styles frequently emerged as mixed-musical entities from contemporary American pop music. The soulful and groovy sounds of Willie Rosario, Tito Rodriguez, Willie Bobo, Chuito Velez, and many others showcase the 60's style of nuyorican music. Essentially, the music of the Caribbean -- notably Puerto Rico -- found a home in New York City and an audience across America. Boogaloo Pow Wow... is a remarkable album of vocal and instrumental tunes of historic proportions. A great album for anyone interested in America's early Latin music genres. Your feet will applaud it! ~ Matthew Forss