Yerba Buena draws upon salsa, Cuban son, jazz, Latin rock, hip-hop, Afro-beat, and club culture to skillfully weave its hip, sexy and infectious dance floor grooves. Led by Venezuelan immigrant Andres Levin (the principal ... more »producer of the Red Hot + Riot Fela tribute) with other members from Cuba, New York City and St. Thomas, this multi-cultural combo?s debut covers all the bases: fantastic production, skilled rappers, diva-like vocals and an endless multi-ethnic groove that erases all rhythmic boundaries. Tailor-made for hot summer nights of dancing, the poppy "Guajira (I Love U 2 Much)" opens the album with a catchy sing-along chorus sung in English. The band then follows with the manic Nuyorican boogaloo of "Tu Casa, Mi Casa." Yerba Buena is no less compelling when the band cranks up the Afro-beat-style choruses on songs like "Rompe El Cuero," which hit with the visceral impact of a Mack truck. A fully formed and promising debut, President Alien is as imaginative as it is addictive. --Tad Hendrickson« less
Yerba Buena draws upon salsa, Cuban son, jazz, Latin rock, hip-hop, Afro-beat, and club culture to skillfully weave its hip, sexy and infectious dance floor grooves. Led by Venezuelan immigrant Andres Levin (the principal producer of the Red Hot + Riot Fela tribute) with other members from Cuba, New York City and St. Thomas, this multi-cultural combo?s debut covers all the bases: fantastic production, skilled rappers, diva-like vocals and an endless multi-ethnic groove that erases all rhythmic boundaries. Tailor-made for hot summer nights of dancing, the poppy "Guajira (I Love U 2 Much)" opens the album with a catchy sing-along chorus sung in English. The band then follows with the manic Nuyorican boogaloo of "Tu Casa, Mi Casa." Yerba Buena is no less compelling when the band cranks up the Afro-beat-style choruses on songs like "Rompe El Cuero," which hit with the visceral impact of a Mack truck. A fully formed and promising debut, President Alien is as imaginative as it is addictive. --Tad Hendrickson
J. Wentzell | Melrose, MA United States | 09/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I caught this group performing on the "Orlando Jones Show" in August 2003 and couldn't wait to buy the album. All I heard was "Guajira (Ilove you too much)". That's all it took. I bought the album on Amazon and I haven't taken it out of my CD player since. All the songs are different and original. I never ealized how much I like salsa till now.
I'm so excited that now I'm going to be checking out some Celia Cruz and Tito Puente albums preferbly the ones they made together. A whole new world has opened up to me.
Thank you, Yerba Buena for that."
One hot album
Colby C. Tate | Bryan, TX United States | 03/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow! That is all I could say after listening to this album for the first time. I first heard Yerba Buena on the Orlando Jones show when they performed "Guajira (I Love U 2 Much)" I dont normally buy CDs but I liked that song so much I went ahead and ordered it. Turns out, the song that made me buy the album is one of the weakest on the album. With sweet latin sounds, this album just makes you want to shake your hips. Buy this album! You wont be sorry!"
WOW! - YERBA BUENA Really good
ALEX | WEST NEW YORK | 09/08/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Thumbs up for the Yerba Buena Team, this CD (my first one) is GOOD, excelent mix of rhythms afro, caribbean and hi-hop all at once, well done. Love the mix of the traditional with the modern that still can be enjoyable and danceable. I think Yerba Buena, could take more advantage of Xiomara's really nice voice and make the instruments arrangement more "contagious" that what the disc really is, and, please do not undestand me - the CD is REALLY GOOD - is just a way of thinking. Going for more Yerba Buena..."
President Alien
Ras Tar | Florida | 06/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am originally from Africa so my taste varies musically from hip-hop,jazz,classical through african rhythms.Getting this Cd introduced me to a whole new vibe especially if you are african in the diaspora.President alien is soulful,infectious and has an earthy afro-freshness to it.To all the new initiates this CD is a must for all people.YERBA BUENA!!!!!!!!!"