Here are two discs that are guaranteed to add some pep tour your next outdoor get together.
Lula Lounge is part of the burgeoning Toronto music scene, and this disc captures some of the music that is south of our south of the border. This collection of 15 tracks captures the excitement of salsa and latin music from the likes of vocalist Yani Borrell ( who croons magnificently on “Latinos”) and Nigerian Lady Son ( deeply reaching for the earth on “Caname Sonera.”) Even jazzers like pianist Hilario Duran (“Cuando Me Toa a Mi”) and soprano saxist Jane Bunnett (“Ron Con Ron”) contribute some exciting material here, making this a broad selection of folk, street and concert music. Exciting stuff.
For the more Caribbean side of things, reggae-inflected Kiwi from New Jersey serves up a hopping mix here with an irresistible energy that is reminiscent of Desmond Dekker back in the day. Punctuated horns frame most of the material as singer-songwriter Alex Tea’s velvety vocals caress tunes like the riveting “Sun Never Set” and the Portuguese language “Aprendiz.” The 8 piece team snaps like snow peas, and the fun never sets.