Chicano Zen

Charanga Cakewalk | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Triloka Records
• ASIN: B000EBFWQM
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,976 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Chicano Zen

2. La Miga Hormiga

3. Melodica

4. Amor Profundo

5. No Soy Feliz

6. La Mimosa

7. El Cine

8. Vida Magica

9. Gloria

10. La Corriente

11. El Ballad de Jose Campos Torres

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Austin-based Miguel Ramos has created one of the most incongruous chill grooves ever. Who could have imagined that cumbia, merengue, Tejano and even flamenco-from-afar, when tossed with Caribbean rhythms plus electronica and beats, could still burn, but like dry ice? Traditional instruments like accordion, Celso Duarte's glorious harp, and Max Baca's baja sexto (twelve-string bass), plus other plucked strings and assorted shakers merge with Spanish-language vocals, the latter provided by Mexican superstar Lila Downs, Ruben "El Gato Negro" Ramos, folk-rocker Patty Griffin, Martha Gonzalez from the group Quetzal, and Texas singer-songwriter Davíd Garza. But these are underpinned by subtle drum 'n' bass and assorted lounge interpolations. Although sufficiently hip to enchant the most exacting club denizen, the tunes retain a festive playfulness and defiantly un-cool degree of passion; only in Brazil have such wildly disparate elements been so successfully fused with no loss of integrity on either side. The subject matter ranges from Morricone-laced memories of childhood cinema excursions, to a Lawrence-Welk-like polka tribute to the bandleader's mother, to an elegy for a deceased victim of police brutality, but the album flows like a hallucinatory, edgy-cozy tone poem. --Christina Roden

Product Description

Charanga Cakewalk and Michael Ramos follow up their critically acclaimed debut album LOTERIA DE LA CUMBIA LOUNGE with the new and exciting sounds of CHICANO ZEN. With its unique fusion of Cumbia, Bolero, Dance and cinematic sounds - and featuring guest stars Lila Downs, Patty Griffin, Martha Gonzalez (of ‘Quetzal’) and Ruben Ramos - Charanga Cakewalk once again delivers an album full of charm-filled musical gems.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flawless beautiful ambi-cultural music, May 12, 2006

By 

A. Moore "andmooreagain" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chicano Zen (Audio CD)

The last track a thing of beauty and up beat tempo in memory of a political murder involving a 17 year old man and a border that should never have been. However listening to this innocent of liner notes and/or review, you will have an ineffable pleasant musical experience without a hint of the harder stuff. Even people I know who really don't care for music, as such, are quite taken by this CD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chicano Zen, September 9, 2008

By 

M. B. Sahm (Geronimo, TX.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chicano Zen (Audio CD)

I ordered this CD after hearing the title track on XM World Zone. I had never heard of Charanga Cakewalk. I was hoping it would not be a one-hit-wonder, AND IT'S NOT. I was blown-away and so impressed with the quality of music and vocals on my 1ST listen. This is not your typical Chicano music, not even close. It's uplifting and so soothing at the same time, well, "zen-like". The fast harp, soft accordion, steel, guitars, percussion and excellent vocals, make you want to chill-out and dance at the same time. They definitely have their own unique sound. I will be buying more of their music!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Or even seven stars ..., August 12, 2008

By 

William Jens Jensen (North America) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chicano Zen (Audio CD)

This and the first Charanga Cakewalk CD, "Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge," are two of my favorite CDs for working or relaxing (second only to Julieta Venegas's "MTV Unplugged" or "Limon y Sal"). To my ears, they are the absolute best chill CDs. It's too bad there are no sound samples on these pages. However, if you like chill and Tejano, just get this CD. Also get "Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge." If in doubt, pick up a used copy. Chilly listening!