Los Van Van

Cuba's most famed dance band of all time is as strong as ever with their 2005 release Sandunguera. From the beginning of their recording career, with Songo, los Van Van (the Go Go's) have made it their business to fuse styles and cross lines. Since forging their signature sound, the group has not shifted significantly in any one direction or another. As with many groups coming out of Latin America, there's at least a five-year lag in production value for what North American audiences might expect from a new release. This 2005 recording sounds very much like some of their first. With some of the telltale synth drum sounds and processed vocals, they are still los Van Van. On a very positive note, bass player/musical director Juan Formell writes the funkiest vamps in Cuban music, and they're all here. Revolutionary percussionist Jose "Changuito" Quintana is in rare form, with grooves so incendiary that there's no mistake why his name is among the greats. With the combination of both new names on the roster, and these groundbreaking veterans who helped carve the path of Cuban music over the last two decades, Sandunguera will delight and excite. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide