Search - Rubberneck :: Nino

Santana meets Tito Puente

HGLSF | San Francisco, CA | 06/12/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Latin Funk, Chilean Funk, Power Funk, . . . a few of the feeble creative attempts at labeling this band. However, these quite miss the mark. Much as the Daddies, BBVD, and RCR have seized upon the swing scene, these six guys (plus a baby fro) simultaneously straddle the frontier cusp and retro roots of their music. While swing is definitely dominating the trend right now, don't be surprised to see a resurgeance of the Afro-Cuban/Latin big band sound made famous by Tito Puente, Desi Arnez, and Ray Barretto, among others. At the head of the class of this CD is the third track: Todo Para Ti. Opening with a haunting Spanish horn melody which evokes thoughts of Miles Davis's Sketches of Spain, the song quickly transitions to drummer Brian Foxworth's electric afro-cuban drumbeat, follows to a series of power solos by the individual musicians of the group, all the while bound and punctuated by the Ochoa brother's guitar and bass imagery inspired by their man Carlos. You'll find yourself quickly transported to a scene in pre-revolutionary Havana circa 1953. Other notable songs include Diga Me, a homage to Carlos Santana. Definitely worth checking out on CD, and more so live . . . a very heavy gig."

Rubberneck- funky funky funky

kelli l compton | portland, Or. | 03/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i cannot tell you enough about this album, latin acid jazz funk at its finest. check this one out- this is a very talented up and coming band. My personal pick is "Happi"- you'll be funkin all night!"

Rubberneck - "Lunk" at it's finest

kelli l compton | 11/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Latin soul meets Godzilla funk. That is how I describe what these six Portlanders have goin' on. Not one dull cut on this cd. From "FSN" to "Todo Pa Ti" to "Give me the funk". Very enjoyable sound and feeling. A must for the funky at heart."