Search - Charanga Cakewalk :: Loteria De La Cumbia Lounge

A gritty Latin martini

Allison M. Ruppert | Pittsburgh, PA United States | 01/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Former Bodean and popular session musician, Michael Ramos, ventures out for a debut solo project. In the past, he has worked with The Rembrandts, Patty Griffin, Paul Simon, John Mellencamp, and Ani DiFranco. Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge gets its title from Ramos' studio. "Cumbia" is a popular, accordian-heavy music from Columbia, cheery ans sometimes cheesy music of the peasants. This is a mellow Latin martini, combining danceable urban grooves with an occasional nod at borderline kitsch with a twist of grit and traditional Latin instruments. From the intriguing Latin pop of "El Indio" and "Mexicanos" to the mid-tempo instrumentals which recall Sergio Mendez or Esquivel ("Romanticos Desperados," "Volcanico"). Multi-instrumental Ramos performs some of the album himself, inviting guest musicians like Brian Standefer and Russell Scanlon to add to the remainder of the songs.

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Amazing Infused Latino Sound

PBilly | Dallas | 03/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow - what a great find! My husband I heard a song on an XM world music station and went out and purchased this CD shortly after. Beautiful sound that is hard to describe. Part Latino, part jazz, part dance. Perfect for a party or for listening to while hanging out around the house. My favorite CD of the year for sure. I highly recommend you listen to it."

Warm & Cozy

Niklas P. Andersson | Santa Cruz, CA | 03/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was an impulse buy after I caught a review on NPR. Some impulse buys pan out, some don't. Luckily, this one did. I teach English at a continuation high school. When the students write, I sometimes want some music that keeps us all going and yet doesn't call unwarranted attention to itself. This record is perfect, a sort of Latin Hip-Hop with club influences (no slamming beats). Since most of my students are Hispanic and Black, this is a great compromise, and it's off-beat enough to keep them interested, yet guessing."