It seems like the latest trend in music are these bands that mix gypsy, jazz and pop. Here are two bands that delve into this latest genre.
The quartet of Giovanna Clayton/cello-voc, Jorge Villanueva/pec-voc, Kay-Ta Matsuno/g-voc and Lisa Dondlinger/vio-voc combine catchy and irrestistably light pop with Italian melodies and themes. Two languages are bounced back and forth on the frothy “Baila” while exciting rhythms swing and sway on “Lehitraot.” Most charming are the interpretations of Vivaldi on “Obsesion” and “Fusion” which brings together 200+ years of sonic wonder, while lively strings bring up the blood pressure on “Silky.” Accessible and enjoyable.
The trio of Hector Saldana/g-voc, David Saldana/dr-key-voc and Van Baines/g-voc deliver a Tex-Mex sound that is reminiscent of 60s power pop bands like The Human Beinz and The Grassroots. Latin pop such as “Corrido Twelve Heads in a Bag” and “Little Fox” features wonderfully cheesy Farfisa organ, and you can’t help but wonder if “Under One Roof” is delivered straight or with tongue firmly in cheek. Dylanesque sounds pop up on “La Conquistadora” while wearing a shark skin suit is de rigeur on “Exit/Salida.” If this isn’t party music, take the lampshade off your head and go somewhere else.