Multi-ethnic band The Baboons is based in Miami and has absorbed many of the musical influences that characterize the most Latin American of US cities. On the album Spanish, the band sings in both English and Spanish and delivers a mix of world music sounds such as mambo and samba from Latin America, Trinidadian steel pans from the Caribbean, Afrobeat from West Africa, Balkan music from Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, along with American jazz, rock and blues.
“Spanglish is a love letter to Miami where diverse people from all over the world live, love and influence each other every day,” says lead vocalist, songwriter and percussionist Majica. “These songs are stories about real Miami characters. They come from different worlds, they struggle, but in the end they all call Miami home.”
Highlights include “Pequeña Habanera” that mixes son cubano with rock en español; an English-language blues song called “Prints”; the Latin party song “Alborotá”; and the fabulous Latin rock meets Afrobeat piece “Yuca.”
The lineup on Spanglish includes Majica on lead vocals and percussion; Mano Pila on drums and vocals; Miguel Rega on congas, timbales and percussion; Isaac Rodriguez on lead vocals and guitar; Michael Mut on bass; Dominick Cama on alto and tenor saxophones and flute; Paul Messina on tenor saxophone and flute.
Guests include Senegalese griot Morikeba Kouyate on kora; Jose Domenech on piano, AJ Hill on baritone sax; Rich Dixon on trumpet; Jose Elias on guitar; Buffalo Brown on soukous guitars’ Kenneth Metzker on steel drums and vocals; Phil McArthur on bass; and JJ Freire on jembe.
The “Spanglish” CD cover features artwork by Eva Ruiz.
Buy the Spanglish CD. Or buy the digital download version.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
