[Excerpt]

In 1991, the magma poured out of a crack in the earth ‘round the Richmond, VA area as the kernel of the classic salsa band Bio Ritmo was formed.  Led by Jorge Negron, they emerged as a percussion ensemble set up for the opening of Ring of Fire, a documentary about volcanoes.  Along the road since that time, with four cds, many members later and impede by a disappointing deal with a major label that prompted a break-up, they have continued as a talented combo.  They kept going in the belief they had something strong to offer with their “street salsa” or, to put in another way – hardcore ‘70s style.  Their new release Bio Ritmo (Locutor) shows they were right to keep to the roots.  It is a fine effort with some great hard-hitting and quite experimental music.  As soon as I picked up the cd I got good vibes off it – I could tell it was going to be good.  Putting it on, I could hear feelings were right as the opening track, “El Monte,” flowed with its piquant horns and mountainous groove.  Timbalero and founder-member Guistino Riccio is quoted as saying “We’re lactose intolerant, we are very adverse to cheesy salsa – it’s all watered down.”

I fully endorse that statement: What we want is the roots and nothing but the roots.  This nine-piece not only falls into my fave bag of a percussion-led group but they are actively retro in a forward-looking way: For example, the newest member of the band, French keyboardist Marlysse Simmons, plays a mean antique Fender Rhodes.  The words to the songs actually mean something and the stories expand in a playful manner.  Singer Rei Alvarez, who writes the majority of the songs, is also an artist who did the cover of the cd; he describes his songs as painting pictures with words.

They are so retro as to have a bomba with “El Cambio.” I do not know why people do not do more bomba these days.  It is such a wonderful rhythm with its solid syncopation.  The intro sizzles with zinging keyboard effects and a lovely melody augments the shoot-it-out sonero story fabulous keyboards effect all over the place.  “Atrevete,” a co-composition from Marlysse, features a wandering keyboard solo as the rhythm mutates into a samba.  “Hermano” is a cracking tune with worthy lyrics and a melody that bites.  Riccio hits the timbales with a vengeance on “Para Los Romperos,” showing if it’s not broke don’t fix it while going way out on a limb with an experimental earth-shaking experience. 

Bio Ritmo have proved it is still possible to be true to the roots wile expanding the parameters of their music in an intelligent, thoughtful and entertaining way.  We want more groups like Bio Ritmo to flourish so I recommend you buy their cd.  Or go and see them play if they are in your neck of the woods.