Bio Ritmo's self-titled and self-release certainly demonstrates a pioneering spirit.  This 9 person band, including, Giustino Riccio (timbal, bongo, coro), Gabo Tomasini (conga), Bob Miller (trumpet, coro), Tim Lett (trumpet), Tobias Whitaker (trombone), Stefano Demetriadis (bass trombone), Jon Sullivan (bass), Marlysse Simmons (piano) and Rei Alvarez (voice, guiro) marries classic salsa with a modern twist.   Alvarez looks back to the 1970's for inspiration, but also looks back to his homeland, Puerto Rico and traditions from his birthplace, Ponce.  Para los Romperos was inspired by the 1970's cinema classic, The French Connection and you can actually see the cop chase scene when listening to the track.

Another oddity that appears on the CD is Atrevete (Do it if You Dare) composed by pianist Simmons and Alvarez.  It fuses Brazilian samba with Puerto Rican salsa.  However, most of the tracks fall into either classic salsa with horns, percussion and piano playing distinctly salsa roles.  El Cambio (Change) features the rhythm bomba that hails from Ponce and another tradition that involves a lyrical debate traditionally sung by soneros.  Hermano (brother) adds a social commentary about world peace and brotherhood, if only we weren't taught to fear other races.

Finally, a favorite of mine, El Rayito (The Little Ray) is the only slow and contemplative song on the disc.  It's melancholy piano, light percussion and emotive vocals recall David Bowie's Lady Grinning Soul (Aladdin Sane), another tune that was embellished with Latin sensibility and passionate vocals.  The end result is stunning even if heartbreaking.  I find this self-produced gem to sparkle with a pioneering spirit.  It is as Alvarez mentions in the press release, "little bits of wisdom to live by."  He was in fact referring to the song, Hermano, but this adage applies to the entire recording