Southerners of the Border

Richmond’s Bio Ritmo mixes Latin genres

          There are salsa bands, and there are salsa bands.

            There’s the Salsa Superstar who played at Aunt Miriam’s fourth wedding – many a disc was slipped that night, but not much inspiration unleashed.

            Then there’s Bio Ritmo, or “rhythm of life,” a nine-member, 13-year-old crew of booty-mootivators coming to Iota on Thursday night.  They planted a depth charge in the heart of Latin dance music, stood back and watched the whole thing explode.

            What’s left when the smoke clears is the traditional sound of Nuyorican salsa spiced with sensual samba, rolling bolero ballads, flute and violin-driven Cuban charanga and the West Africa-derived Puerto Rican dance music bomba.

            Suddenly, Aunt Miriam’s brassy hired hands don’t look so good.

            Even if New York and other regions in the Americas fuel the Bio Ritmo sound, the group is Virginia-grown.  They gathered in Richmond more than a decade ago to form a drumming ensemble that would explore the complexities of rhythm, but ended up making salsa music and making it new.

            Under the direction of lead singer, songwriter and percussionist Rei Alvarez, the group resurrected the classic ‘60s and ‘70s immigrant-pride salsa of New York City before layering on other Latin sounds.

            Along the way, the ensemble’s live show became a notorious guaranteed good time – as energetic and full of flavor as the music being played.

            The current sound is a lyrical mish-mash as well, folding in romance, dance, politics, and individual expression, all while keeping a steady eye on the groove.

            When the 36 arms and legs the crew onto the stage at aptly named Iota, expect magic in at least two languages.

            Iota Club & Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd.,Arlington; Thu., Dec. 16, 9 p.m., $10; 703-522-8340.  (Clarendon)