Search - Skank :: Siderado

RocSamba World Beat

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 11/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This disc features a rich blend of world music with heavy percussion and robust vocals worked into some rock riffs. Hailing from Brazil Skank puts forth a thick sound quite different from the more airy sounds often associated with the land of carnival. In fact this music is something you might associate carnival with as the danceable beats come to life to ignite your imagination. Although I don't understans Portuguese it matters very little as the music standss on it's own merits. This is party music, it is full of dance grooves to shake your booty to. Of all the tracks, the one that really stands out is "Mandrake E Os Cubanos" that features a hard syncopated beat, blaring horns intermingled with rock guitar licks as the vocals and chorus thunders forth to make you have to shake your head in time to the music. This song has that "radio friendly" sound assocaited with hits that translate to the dancefloors of the world. For the most part the tracks featured on this disc are of the upbeat dance variety but there are a few that don't fit the pattern. "Reposta" is one such song that is soft and elegant in the Gilberto sort of way. It is a ballad to change the at times torrid pace of this disc. Another slowed down ballad type song is "No Meio Do Mar" that features gentle singing and chorus with guitar and horn solos that are underplayed. "Os Homens Das Cavernas" has a frenzied ska beat that sizzles; again this is one of those infectious songs that gets you into the groove. This is the ideal disc for a change of pace in your CD rotation; it adds a different spice to your listening plate. There is one Spanish track entitled "Respuesta" that is an interesting addition; with it's Portuguese accent the ballad has an earthy quality. This is good listening music that adds variety and is recommended for world music fans."