Balún / Something Comes Our Way

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Defining their style as electronic music, Balún has definitely moved audiences with their joyful

sounds and unique style. Hailing from the island of Puerto Rico,

they have sure let themselves be heard throughout the island. I'd

like to say their amongst the top electronic groups in the island

and they sure will stay that way. Their sounds are, as mentioned

before, somewhat joyful, with a warm deep ambience in many

tracks, or the complete opposite with moving, random-like harmony in others.

I really recommend a listen to this group, they'll definitely cheer you up and make you move.

Lemme know how you like em'.

Peace =]

Gomba Jahbari/Sentémonos

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Gomba Jahbari, reggae band native to the island of Puerto Rico and established in 1998, was born from the desire to rescue a part of Caribbean culture by one of the most sensible ways possible: through music. With effort and dedication, the Courageous Warriors (Gomba Jahbari, in an African dialect) have succeeded in standing out within the reggae roots scene in Puerto Rico and Latin America. They remain active, welcomed by numerous fans and lovers of the genre. Their musical concept obeys to keeping a pure and original roots reggae sound, but it simultaneously incorporates details and sounds very actual amongst world music trends. Alas, an aggressive style with a very unusual and powerful rhythm section. It's not the mellow reggae that we are used to hearing; it's a sort of heavy roots. With constant innovation, an amalgam of details emerges within a classic reggae rhythm. This can be felt in the hypnotic melodies of the profound and repetitive notes that judiciously take over the bass partition. Following the rhythmic base, psychedelic digital sounds and keyboard lines propose a tone that is out of the ordinary. The airs of the brass section, more than just adorning a piece, know how to inject a certain rush in the precise moment.

Sentémonos is a musical proposal that exhibits a very interesting contrast between the genre of pure and classic roots reggae and the cumulus of influences that come from a rigorous study of this and other fascinating types of music. Their lyrics attack matters that truly concern today's man: the search of truth and finding one’s self instead of today’s world of lies and deceit. Social, religious and cultural themes are presented to contribute towards the awakening of our brothers, with rhythms that are inviting to listen and dance... Gomba Jahbari is a manifestation that incites an internal connection.

Gomba Jahbari’s first studio record ranks among the best reggae albums in my book. Give it a listen and add it to yours =]

(Most of the credit for the review goes to someone other than me.)

The Mars Volta / De-Loused In The Comatorium

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"De-Loused in the Comatorium is the first LP and concept album by the progressive rock band The Mars Volta. Based on a short story by lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and sound manipulation artist Jeremy Michael Ward, it is the hour-long tale of Cerpin Taxt, a man who tries to kill himself by overdosing on morphine. The attempt lands him in a week-long coma during which he experiences visions of humanity and his own psyche. Upon waking, he is dissatisfied with the real world and jumps to his death. The story of Cerpin Taxt is based on the death of El Paso, Texas artist (and Bixler-Zavala's friend) Julio Venegas.

De-Loused became both critically and commercially their biggest hit, eventually selling in excess of 500,000 copies despite next-to-no promotion, and was featured on several critics' "Best of the Year" lists. The album was ranked number 55 on the October 2006 issue of Guitar World magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitar albums of all time.

The music contained in De-Loused is distinguished by its enigmatic lyrics, Jazz rhythms, odd time signatures, and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's frenetic guitar riffs, which are often harshly dissonant. The title of this album is taken from the lyrics of the song "Eunuch Provocateur" on the band's previous release, Tremulant." [From wikipedia]

Really a masterpiece of an album. An incredible sound bred from true masterminds. This is a record that you won't get tired of playing, not even in your sleep.

Feedback is appreciated on this. =]