Now playing - the latest from Jaguares, Babasonicos, and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

La Cumbaimbera shares a bit about her most recent acquisitions:

45 (Sept 2008) – Jaguares – If 45 were a painting it’d be hanging in a museo madrileño between a Picasso and a Goya. Exhibiting the same obsession with pain and fragmentation as well as with possibilities for redemption, 45 takes us back to the Jagaures of old. Saúl Hernández’ newest material picks up where El Equilibrio… (the original Jaguares collection) left off, that is, soaking in contemplative moodiness and dark sentiments. With its floating musical interludes, raucous guitar action, and even piano and orchestral arrangements, 45’s real distinguishing feature is that it’s just plain good. So good, in fact, that it hasn’t and won’t be getting any mainstream radio play. But who cares? After all, it’s art.


"Lobo" - Jaguares



Mucho (May 2008) – Babasonicos – Compared to Jaguares, Babasonicos definitely falls on the easy listening side of the rock spectrum. Part electronica, part Hombres G, part classic rock-and-roll, Mucho tackles it all with a good dose of pop sensibility. With this album Babasonicos achieves what Mana seems bent on avoiding, that is, delivering a collection that is tasty and at the same time textured. With its lighthearted musical approach, Mucho will leave you feeling like even your momentos mas rabiosos are something to sing about.


"Pijamas" - Babasonicos



La Luz del Ritmo (Nov 2008) – Los Fabulsoos Cadillacs – A more appropriate name for this album would be “El Buffet de los Ritmos.” Listening to this CD gave me visions of everyone from John Travolta to Gloria Estefan. Disco, salsa, love ballads…you name it, La Luz del Ritmo does it. About half of the material is remakes of previous Fabulosos tunes, including a version of “Mal Bicho” complete with scratching and a funkdafied bass line. There are also (bilingual) covers of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Wake Up and Make Love With Me.” The most intriguing track, “Condenaditos” is aptly described as a “Nueva Orleans Funeral Pop.” And…wait…is that Los Pibes Chorros I hear? Nope. It’s just Vicentico praying un “Padre Nuestro” a lo Fabuloso.


"Padre Nuestro" - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs