Bio Ritmo - Se Les Olvidó

Blazing a trail by playing some of the hardest hitting and far reaching modern salsa for 23 years now, Bio Ritmo have grown into one of the most intriguing and influential Latin dance bands of the last two decades. They are true rebels who have defied being pigeonholed. They have helped pioneer a new generation of musicians (aka nueva generación) that thrive on the spirit of experimentation that once defined the 70’s Latin sound that came to be known as ‘salsa’. From hipster rock clubs in Brooklyn to ‘salsa bars’ in Cali, Colombia, Bio Ritmo keeps the bodies on the dance floor with their nitty-gritty, vintage grooves while turning heads with their experimental synth tones, innovative harmonies and thought provoking lyrics. They convert the skeptics who only know the overly commercialized, tacky veneer of Latin music and challenge the purist who hitherto believed the genre died during the 90’s. They have a fierce, almost punk rock DIY ethos that pervades their attitude and style, releasing their records either by themselves or on indie and hip hop labels like Merge, Fat Beats and, Electric Cowbell. They cite Stereolab and Brazilian psychedelic music as influences in the same breath as name-dropping Ray Barretto, Roberto Roena and classic Fania records. It’s no surprise that their new record, “Puerta Del Sur,” (Vampisoul LP & CD release: June, 24, 2014) is coming out on a Spanish label whose mission is to resurrect ‘lost’ Latin music.

“Our mission from day one was to write original music in the classic salsa style,” states Bio Ritmo’s lead singer and composer Rei Alvarez “and experimentation is as much a part of the tradition as the wide-ranging Afro-Cuban genres that it’s based on.”

Alvarez, a self-taught musician and artist, spent his formative years in 1970’s Ponce, Puerto Rico. His strong opinions about aesthetics and style have undeniably shaped Bio Ritmo’s look and sound thru the years. “Working on ‘Salsa System’ (2006) with the legendary engineer Jon Fausty (Fania Records) was like going to salsa boot camp,” Alvarez says. This experience boosted the group’s confidence and gave them the vision to persevere and embrace their identity. “On ‘Bionico’ (2008), we stopped trying to be a salsa band,” he adds. That is to say, the group realized that it wasn’t about proving themselves as much as they simply wanted to be authentic to themselves. Then on ‘La Verdad’ (The Truth) (2011, Electric Cowbell) with veteran producer Aaron Levinson (Spanish Harlem Orchestra) it all came together. Cited as “one of the most life-affirming albums of the year,” by PopMatters.com, it launched Bio Ritmo on a European festival circuit – including an invitation to The Republic of Georgia – and inspired a ‘salsa bar’ outside of Cali, Colombia to name themselves after the hit song “La Muralla” (The Wall).
Link For Bio Ritmo Website - http://bioritmo.com/about/