Lively and exciting rhythms
Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 07/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is a real treat for people who like world music simmered with plenty of Spanish flavor. Peret emerges after a haitus to create a rocking, froliking musical stew that employs the use of a different international artist on each and every cut, count em, 15 cuts, 15 artists. The styles are as varied as the artists who guest appear. Eclectic would be an understatement. Let's put it this way, David Bryne is one of the guests alongside El Gran Silencio, Jarabe de Palo and Sergent Garcia. There are enough Spanish artists to keep it true to the rumba most of the time but there are forays into other areas like mambo, cumbia, salsa,jazz, bossa nova, rap, electronica and pop flamenco. If you like the Gipsy Kings this will suit you well as they owe much of their successful style to Peret and his rumba. Each and every song is very different in style and as mentioned in guest artist appearance. Check it out there are some excellent guests here. One might think that with such variety that it might not work but it does, in fact quite well as the glue that holds it all together is Peret with his vocals and infusion of energy as he interacts beautifully with everyone. It is clearly evident that a good time was had by all as the interplay comes across like a fiesta in the studio.There is only weak track on the CD and that is only the vocals by former frontman of Talking Heads David Bryne as he interjects his translations unnecessarily for "Si Fulano." Otherwise it is a masterpiece of world music as an aging Peret displays his vitality and shows he's not ready for the lounge act circuit as he mixes in with more modern sounds and artists quite well. My faves are his coupling with Jarabe de Palo as they soulfully sing "El lunar de Maria", the wacky "Espreferible" coupled with Tomino Carotone and Mistretta on various reeds and organ as they sing it is better to laugh and be happy than sad and cry, his classic "Lo Mato" reinterpreted in duo fashion with Estopa as they perform a raucous rumba, the fun song "Que Suerte" as he performs with Amparonia as they go back and forth on how lucky that they will seeing each other tonight, "Borriquito" the nice rendering by Mexico's El Gran Silencio that adds a little ragamuffin cumbia flavor to the mix and both songs coupled with Disminguet as they add more Iberian flavor to the mix with "El Mig Amic" and the authentic "Yo soy el rumba." The vocals by Peret are first rate and he leaves the listener understanding fully he is El Rey de los Rumberos. Not to be missed for world music lovers, this is a musical mix that displays old and new styles to create something innovative. Ritmo de Espana para todo el mundo!"