Search - Various Artists :: Star Maps (1997 Film)

Musical collage of the Latino experience

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 11/16/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The music from this independent movie is predominantly Latino but features the full spectrum of the Latino experience. On this disc you will hear hip-hop, rock, indie, merengue and even folk music ; all with a powerful distinctive Latin flavor. The original movie features several of rocnEspanol big hitters including Control Machete, King Chango, Aterciopelados, Molotov and Lysa Flores amongst others. This soundtrack features the production skills of mega music producer Gus Santaolla (soundtrack to Amores Perros etc.) and Lysa Flores who sings two songs including a duet with veteran performer Martha Velez. Highlights from the disc include "Use it or Lose It" by bad boyz Molotov whose explosive lyrics have resulted in some of their music being banned. The song featured on this disc is well known amongst Latino hip-hop aficionados and has some dynamite lyrics showcasing their street wise jargon and skills ala rap latino. The folkloric song "Ay Que Dolor Vivir" by Astrid Hadad y Los Tarzanes is one of those melancholy songs reflective of the sadness of the story in Star Maps. "Horn" by Nick Drake has Gus Santaolla all over it and even sounds like some of the music used in Amores Perros. The oh so cool "Chica Deficil" by Aterciopelados features the sultry vocals of Andrea Echevarria who coos like a sexpot tantalizing your every fantasy. There are beautiful surprises from lesser known artists like Juana Molinas song "Rara" in which she delivers a soft edged ballad; her voice is barely above a whisper and makes you want to hear more. "Beg Borrow & Steal" is a country tinged song that features Lysa Flores's voice combined with driving rhythms that indicate her strength in song and word. Lysa Flores teams with Martha Velez on the end track for an accapella number entitles "La Luna" which is has beautiful and haunting as a wolves howl on a starless night. Very nice music from a somewhat depressing movie is the end result on this CD. Recommended for fans of RocnEspanol and the diverse Latino experience. The booklet features pictures from the movie but little more than credits and acknowledgements. The music that is on here(13 songs) is good but there just isn't enough. Total running time is 38:33."