La Tortuga

All Grown Up

     

This CD could just as easily been titled De la Buena Comes Of Age. Having seen them a number of times over the years, I have been fortunate enough to watch the band mature until they have created what is presented here-a CD which could be used as a textbook on how to write and perform music that is at once familiar and fresh. The classic rhythms and melodies are presented with new twists and fresh perspectives that keep the listeners on their toes.

From the first measures of Shagu, we are presented with a recipe for cooking up a winner. "First, you put in a bit of this, then you add some of that, and then a layer of that and presto! You have a perfect song." Although the same recipe format is not followed throughout the rest of the CD, the results are no less perfect. No matter what language you grew up speaking, if you can listen to Imbe all the way through without succumbing to the desire to sing along, you should pull out a small pocket mirror to see if you can still breathe fog onto.

If you want to ensure that you get your money's worth out of a music purchase, invest in this entire CD. You will not regret your decision.