Search - Juan Formell y Los Van Van :: Arrasando

Eclectic, original, and I love it.

Marcos | California, USA | 05/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"LVV has always been known for their unique style, which always include experimentation. In this album, they have a sound that has been described as retro songo. In my opinion, it is more like they have taken operatic and broadway musical elements and added them to their music. This is specially true of the violins and electric guitar. This "concert hall" feeling is heard throughout this album, and it isn't plagued by the studio problems they have had in some of their past albums.



Vanessa Formell guests on "Un Tumbao pa los dos" and just like with Diego "El Cigala" in the Chapeando album, they match is truly made in heaven. However, just like "El Cigala" don't expect Vanessa to play by the vocalization rules of timba, she dwelves deep into pop territory.



LVV is not known for deep vocals, but in this album they were a bit too corny for me. In "La Rumba No" it is hard to take Mayito seriously complaining about only having guiro, flute, and guitar. In fact, I didn't know what his complaint referred to at all. Same with "El Trasvesti", which doesn't reach the level Pupy did with "Gato Por Liebre".



That said, while it may not be as good as Chapeando, it still is LVV, and their sound continues to lead the pack of Cuban timba bands."

Perhaps their best yet.

Silly SIL | Yonkers, NY | 08/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After more than a decade of excellence, Los Van Van remains the pre-eminent Cuban band combining tradition with innovation, adding elements of pop culture and jazz, a growing point of newer styles like songo and timba, and always a purveyor of fun, toe-tapping, make you want to dance, intense groove.



This new collection may be their best yet. It demonstrates the reason for their longevity and continued growth in popularity and influence. The studio sound quality, vocal and instrumental performances, arrangements and originality in composition are all first rate, kudos to Juan Formell.



No watered down style like bossa nova here. Be prepared for in your face, lively polyrhythms clearly with an African heritage.



Students of rhythm have much to learn from the culture evident here. For those who simply enjoy strong, passionate music - I highly recommend Los Van Van."