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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Review: Corazon Latino - Desde Barranquilla


Corazon Latino – Desde Barranquilla
2008, SUISA Records


Corazon Latino is a collaboration between Columbian and Swiss musicians to bring the best of Columbian folk music to the world. Using traditional Columbian instruments and infectious beats, Corazon Latino seems to be a hit with every crowd the play in front of. On their second record, 2008’s Desde Barranquilla engages the listener with a mix of traditional Columbian sounds and an almost singer-songwriter personability. The CD is a smash.

It’s so easy to forget how wonderfully rich Latin music history is with sound and rhythm in light of the popularization of genre killing styles such as the Americanized Reggaeton. Corazon Latino shows how rhythm brings life to music without becoming the sole point. Desde Barranquilla opens with Dejate Mirar, mixing classic rhythms and an almost pop sensibility. Vocalist Gloria Velandia is amazing here, and the song has a real sense of inertia that makes you want to get up and dance. OBA follows with vocals that will melt your speakers in an unforgettable performance. Un Rayo De Luz sounds more like a pop tune with Latin Rhythms. The melody is very memorable and almost floats into the poppy chorus. Mentiras continues the quasi-popular music leaning on Desde Barranquilla, with easy soulful vocals and an almost jazz flavor dancing along beneath the surface. Other highlights include Un Beso En La Luna, No and Costena De Barranquilla.

Desde Barranquilla is a great introduction to the traditional sounds and rhythms of Colombia. It probably helps if you understand Spanish, but as a non-speaker I still found this highly enjoyable. Fans of Paul Simons' Rhythm Of The Saints will find a lot to love here, as will folks who are open to world music. The CD is fantastic. Highly recommended.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Corazon Latino at http://www.corazon-latino.ch/. You can purchase a copy of Desde Barranquilla at www.cdbaby.com/cd/corazonlatino2.

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