SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
Bio Ritmo Announces New Album & Tour
The Ten Member Salsa Band Hit The Road With Their New Album, La Verdad
Richmond, VA may not be the typical place that comes to mind when you think of an internationally acclaimed Salsa band, but Bio Ritmo is far from typical. This week the band started their tour to celebrate their latest release, La Verdad.
Released on September 20th, La Verdad, [Electric Cowbell Records] is available digitally, on CD and a limited pressing 12" - making Bio Ritmo the only salsa band that currently releases on vinyl. La Verdad features 6 new original songs plus a re-make of their 1997 hit cha-cha "Lola's Dilemma" (from Que Siga La Musica), and a re-vamped version of "Carnaval" by the legendary Rafael Cortijo from the far out Time Machine (1974, Coco Records).
Throughout the album you'll hear interesting sonic flourishes from an old Farfisa organ, to Drumfire (vintage electronic drum synthesizer), old moog-like synths, a Kalimba and Cuica. Having been recorded by fellow musician Lance Koehler (drummer for No BS Brass) in Richmond, the album still retains that "street salsa" sound, especially in the mix, which was nicely done by Grammy Award winner Aaron Levinson, who has worked with the likes of The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, among others.
The 10-member band was formed 20 years ago this September originally as a percussion ensemble brought together by two misplaced Puerto Ricans who met at art school combined with a local punk rock drummer. They have evolved over the years and become known as one of the most groundbreaking salsa bands of the last decade. Their sound is dubbed "post-salsa" and their style considered "old-school" or "alt-Latin," but essentially Bio Ritmo is known for being themselves, writing and producing all original music with the mind set of a rock-n-roll band.
Bio Ritmo Tour Dates:
09/23/11: Gallery 5 - Richmond, VA
10/08/11: World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA
10/14/11: Motorco Music Hall - Durham, NC
10/22/11: The Artful Dodger - Harrisonburg, VA
10/27/11: IOTA Club - Arlington, VA
10/28/11: Southpaw - Brooklyn, NY
11/18/11: SOBs - New York, NY