Search - Bio Ritmo :: Rumba Baby Rumba

The major-label debut of salseros Bio Ritmo finds the band convincingly splitting the difference between the sound's classic requirements and ear-catching pop moves aimed at listeners new to the style. Heated straightforward workouts such as "Yo Soy la Rumba" stand next to pulsating English-language tracks like "Call Me Up (644-7215)" that sound ready for modern-rock radio stations desperately in need of pepping up. Rumba Baby Rumba! also offers revved-up versions of "Tequila" and Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (here titled "Night Music"), a few romantic chill-outs, and plenty of sharp arrangement ideas (the fake Brit accents on the chorus of "What I Want to Say") to keep the streamlined proceedings moving. An infectious album that's lots of fun, novel, but no novelty. --Rickey Wright