Search - Ricardo Lemvo, Makina Loca :: Mambo Yo Yo

From Africa to Havana to Paris...

Bruce A. Ishikawa | Marlborough, MA USA | 02/26/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The beauty of Latin music comes from the blend, the mixture of African rhythms and European melodies, seasoned with just a bit of indigenous New World influences and Middle Eastern tones. Originating in the Caribbean, Latin music spread via migration to New York where it became Salsa and via trade to West Africa where it became Soukous.Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca join Salsa and Soukous into a musical stew which takes Latin music to a new place. African musicians have been playing Cuban based music for decades, first staying quite close to the form, then substituting electric guitars for horns to develop Congolese Rumba and Soukous. Some, like Africando, have come back to the Cuban style, but it is really just copying, ala Linda Ronstadt's "Frenesi", faithful reproductions of the Cuban sound with little innovation. Lemvo and his band, now based in Los Angeles, play something new and unique, a music which has travelled back and forth across the Atlantic several times, accumulating lots of innovation on its way.The music on "Mambo Yo Yo" can be characterized as mainly Cuban-style son montuno with trumpets (sometimes muted giving that "tropical moonlight" sound), driving piano, even a tres on many numbers. But then we hear the trap drums, the characteristic Congolese electric guitar runs and the occasional Kikongo and Lingala lyrics all of which combine to give us music which is interesting, entertaining, infectiously happy, good natured. Lemvo's personal touch reflects a lifelong love of Cuban music by someone who grew up in modern Africa and the musical melting pot of the US. The international band members (besides Lemvo, the musicians hail from the US, Mexico, Cuba, South America and the Netherlands) led by musical director Niño Jesús Pérez complement each other well on this album which will make you want to find out more about Salsa and about Soukous...but not until you're done dancing!"

Quite simply magic, astounding, wonderful !

robertnicolson | 07/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think many of these reveiws are very subjective, however I hope this is a fair reveiw, that's my intention.
Ricardo Lemvo is a breath of fresh air in music, his music is so interesting because, although it is obviously Salsa, his African background, seeps through in both his singing and also the content of the music.
He really brings together a wonderful marriage of Salsa, and African music. This is particularly interesting because in the Congo he would have been brought up in a style of music called La Rumba Congolaise, which was heavily South American flavoured, and it is fascinating that he is now exporting part of this 'Rumba' back into South American music !
He sings from the heart, but it is a joyful melodic singing, his songs are uplifting, he makes you feel good, you feel happy when you listen to his music.
You can not beleive that he is from the Congo in Africa, because his Salsa, is very Cuban in style, however once you know that he is African, it becomes very obvious in his music.
I am from Britain and have been brought up on a diet of pop and rock, my favourites were Jimmi Hendricks, Led Zepplin, Peter Gabriel e.t.c.
Ricardo Lemvo is the equal of any of them, he is a great.
I have been fortunate enough to have seen Youssou N'dour in concert, and now my biggest ambition is to see Ricardo Lemvo.
Ricardo when's the next album coming out ?
When are you coming to Britain ?"

Repeat after me: Mambo yoyo. Now sing it!

Bruce A. Ishikawa | 09/13/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is upbeat with catchy melodies and horn riffs. Definitely Cuban in flavor, with a vintage 50's feeling. The band really grooves. So much so, I got out my sax (after not playing for years) just to play along! Listen to the title tune, it's one of the best on the album. Maybe you'll find yourself singing "Mambo yoyo!""