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WARNING: If you have sciatica., rheumatoid arthritis, a weak heart, your dancing shoes are molded, do not -- I repeat,. DO NOT! -- listen to the Rabanes CD I am about to review, spinning it as we speak. And whatever you do, don't show up to see them live. This band is not for you.
On the other hand, if you like a good time, if you still have some "pep in your step," mi amigo. Ai-ai-yiee! Fuse the Caribbean influence from Miami with a hot Latin step and step out!
The Rabanes are a Panamanian crew that have an infectious sound. That's probably because you can hear how much fun they are having as they play. This reviewer always likes that. Their new release, "Los Rabanes" (Crescent Moon Records, LLC - a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment) profiles the band at its best. It contains ten tracks in Spanish and an English version of their humourous ska-influenced song "My Commanding Wife."
The main men, Emilio Regueria, Christian Torres and Javier Saavedra came together in Chitre, Panama, back in 1992. They were an immediate crowd-pleaser at parties and small bars. Fellow Panamanian musician and actor Ruben Blades quickly heard about this hot new rock band and joined forces with them on a track on their second CD called "De Colores."
This is a band that has paid dues over the last ten years while waiting to become an "overnight success." The band toured here in the US, Mexico, Argentina, Spain and Puerto Rico. During their sojourn in Spain, after Kiwi Records, their former label closed, Rabanes refined the sound offered on this new CD. It's hot and has already sold over 100,000 copies. You'll hear why when you go out and get it for your next party.
Yes, kids, this is a serious party band.
Through Roberto Blades (Ruben's brother) they went to their new label, Crescent Moon Records, LLC and produced this fabuloso CD in the Sony joint venture.
On this spin, what I find most interesting is how they've incorporated not only the Caribbean sound ("My Commanding Wife" includes a cool steel drum riff) but also, throughout the cuts, managed to bring some hip-hop, reggae, and ska to what is basically a Latin rock sound. You can't help but shake your butt.
It's clear to hear the Euro club influence in this effort. Listening to it, I'm reminded of the party clubs in Ibiza where the young "hip and happening" go on holiday to totally lose themselve in the groove. This CD recreates that festive atmosphere in a very big way. Yet, the third cut "Perfidia" gives the nod to the standards with a nice twist.
And there's hard-edged, straight out rock on this disc, too. As you move down the playlist, it's gets harder without losing it's basic dance house flavor.
Here's the Web stuff, surfers: You can experience the music and commune with this great band at their official site: Los Rabanes. (It's a Flash site, Babies.) It's got all the cool stuff we've come to expect: music downloads, photos, wallpapers, screensavers, tour info, yatta-yatta-yatta.
The usual bottom line of any music review: Is this a buy CD? Well, heck yeah! Unless you're not into good rock. The fact that you've forgotten most of your high school Spanish lessons (Rod says to his American audience) is no barrier. The music is universal, Babies. Buy, buy, buy this Rabanes latest CD and find out why they're already nominated for that Grammy.
© 2001, GENERATOR 21.
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