Search - Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca :: Isabela

Isabela
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
Isabela
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Jazz, Pop, Latin Music
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

Congo-born, Los Angeles-based singer-composer-bandleader Lemvo has been mixing the guitar-driven form of rumba he heard growing up in his homeland's capital city of Kinshasa, with its Cuban forebears--five-centuries-worth ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
Title: Isabela
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Mopiato Music
Original Release Date: 1/1/2007
Re-Release Date: 3/20/2007
Genres: Dance & Electronic, International Music, Jazz, Pop, Latin Music
Styles: World Dance, Caribbean & Cuba, Cuba, Bolero, Salsa, Charanga, Rhumba, Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo, Tropical, Salsa
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 608228200723

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Congo-born, Los Angeles-based singer-composer-bandleader Lemvo has been mixing the guitar-driven form of rumba he heard growing up in his homeland's capital city of Kinshasa, with its Cuban forebears--five-centuries-worth of Spanish melodies mixed with African rhythms--for a very long time. For his fifth album, which is named for his newborn daughter, he has wisely concluded that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The result is a deliriously joyous batch of bold-and-brassy, accordion-laced, percussive, sinfully melodic hip-swingers sung in several languages, but not only in the expected Congolese Lingala dialect, French and Spanish. For example, "Serenata Angolana," with sultry second lead vocals by Cape Verdean star Maria De Barros, is interpreted in Portuguese as a tribute to Lemvo's Angolese grandfather. But "Elebette," while transformed into a slinky bolero, is performed in the original Turkish. If "Malambo," written by the late, great Franco Luambo, and Tino Baroza's '50s-vintage "Lollobigida" constitute a return to the old nabe, "Mentirosa," with its gently propulsive charanga violins and flute, is more redolent of Havana by moonlight. Among the talent on hand, stand-outs include legends like guitarists Papa Noel, Bopol and Huit Kilos, singers Nyboma and Wuta Mayi, and bassist Miguel Yamba, but this is to name only a few. Fans of Africando and Kékélé should definitely snap this one up. --Christina Roden

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CD Reviews

Beautiful music to my ears.....
D. Pawl | Seattle | 06/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had heard bits and pieces of Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca in the past, but I had never really taken the time to listen to and appreciate their distinctive style(s) and the authentic touch they give to African salsa (Lemvo is from Democratic Republic of the Congo) as well as the other genres they play (boogaloo, son, kizomba, rumba, and bolero, among others). Their style is reminiscent of Africando, another wonderful band made up of a cross-section of very diverse musicians (from Mali and Cuba, just to name a couple of countries). The songs on this album are in Spanish, Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, Portuguese, and Turkish [yes, I said Turkish]. Never have so many languages and types of music (and rhythms) melded so beautifully together.



Though, I was really a great fan of salsa music, and enjoyed learning about different styles, that isn't the limit of my musical scope and interest. This album starts out with the style of boogaloo, with "Kasongo Boogaloo." It's peppy and is modelled after the boogaloo music that originated in the Nuyoriquen (New York Puerto Rican) communities. Yet, it sounds different. What makes it so distinctive? Lemvo mixes the languages of Spanish and Lingala together, and the percussion sounds more rootbound to the African origins of Latin music styles we have come to know today. It has a great, earthy and organic feel. I also highly reccomend the beautiful boleros and heavenly ballad featured on the album ("Habari Yako," "Elbette," and "Serenata Angolana"). This album is gorgeous, people. If you haven't heard of Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca up until now, you will be a convert to their musical repertoire after listening to these beautiful songs."
World Music at its Best
otserick | Bordentown, New Jersey | 10/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"While all of his work has been excellent, Ricardo Lemvo's "Isabela" is his most superb album yet. Lemvo here has achieved a seamless integration of African and Cuban music. The music is so joyous and infectious, it is easy to overlook its complexity and craftsmanship. And there's even a song in Turkish thrown in for good measure."
Around the world in 45 minutes
Music Lover | 08/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let Ricardo take you on a musical ride around the world with this album - all the way from Congo to Cuba with a little stop in Turkey. How can you resist this journey?"