Venezuelan Zinga Son 1 [Enhanced]

Los Amigos Invisibles | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Luaka Bop
• ASIN: B0001XAPXS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,290 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > Venezuela
  • #90 in Music > World Music > South & Central America > Andes

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although four years passed since their previous album, these Latin playboys are always up for a party, and The Venezuelan Zinga Son Vol. 1 is no different. Produced by New York house music producers Masters At Work, the band's third domestic album is filled with upbeat salsa ("Esto Es Lo Que Hay" is a riot), soft Brazilian grooves, spacey funk, disco, rock and lounge. They roll it all together into street party of good vibes, sexy beats and lecherous thoughts (see track 14), but what keeps the Brooklyn-based sextet out of gutter is that it's hard to find fault when the insidious jams cause you to stop thinking and start dancing. Interestingly, the album seems to ride the arc or raging party: it starts on a promising but mellow tip, then loosens up in the middle part, then rides it out until there’s nothing left to give. Los Amigos' best effort yet, Zinga is all-purpose fun. --Tad Hendrickson

Product Description

Los Malandrines bring their crossover appeal to the masses, as only they know how. On Sicko Times Part Uno, we meet the men behind the tales.

You get tales exposing their daily G exploits to the listener and still holding it down for their craft. Pick up this gem of two men crossing the border and doing their thing in ''the other native tongue.''

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sexy, funny, but very important CD, September 13, 2004

By 

Bestia (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Venezuelan Zinga Son 1 (Audio CD)

Los Amigos Invisibles hail from Venezuela, a country better known for legendary Salsa contenders like Oscar D'Leon. Their fourth CD, "The Venezuelan Zingason," is one of the most eclectic musical efforts ever pulled by a Latin American act. In terms of style, this is a collection of powerful hedonistic tributes to Funk, Bossa Nova, Lounge, and millennium advertising. But the best part of this magnificent release is the hilarious song writing by José Luis Pardo and the rest of his Amigos. Dedicated listeners will probably need some assistance with the Venezuelan slang in order to better appreciate the intended shallowness of some of their songs (the title, in fact, is a deconstruction of "sing a f**k song"). But everyone else will just get up and shake their culo with "Ease Your Mind" and "Majunche," probably the best tracks on the CD. This release even includes a video of the beautiful and nostalgic "Playa Azul," where in the third act a snowman dances a Samba with the band. Los Amigos Invisibles has a loyal cult following in the Americas and Europe, and even though in 2001 its members decided to move to Brooklyn to be closer to their producers, sound engineers, and intellectual mentors (which include David Byrne), they still make almost daily appearances at their website, and are on constant tour. LAI have publicly complained about the obstacles that have delayed this release, and are currently finalizing their next CD, which shall ostensibly have a stronger southern feel. Their first three CDs are also excellent. Ladies and gentlemen, after a decade of Buena Vista dominance of Latin music, meet the New Cuban, the Invisible Friends.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Friends are back!!, September 20, 2003

By 

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Venezuelan Zinga Son V.1 (Audio CD)

It's been some three years since we heard the previous work of the band, but they are finally back, out of their "musical silence" with a more mature and evolved sound than the one they had in 'Arepa 3000'. Combining influences of Fania-based Salsa, bossa nova (Jobim) and deep house, and singing several songs in English (not surprising considering how much time they spend in NYC lately) the Amigos present their fourth work in a moment that Venezuela -their homeland- and the world at large very much need their excellent groove and good musical humor. Most likely, the album will come down in price in the upcoming weeks, as it is released everywhere, so don't rush to get it, but don't forget to put it on your Wish List so you can keep an eye on it!!<P .....

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The beauty is in the grooves, July 28, 2004

By 

Bill Stella "Bill Realman Stella" (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Venezuelan Zinga Son 1 (Audio CD)

The groove is the thing here. That is, one groove after another, grooves that evolve and develop as the song unfurls, grooves that blend from one track to the next, forming a continuous experience of torso-swaying joy.

If you are unfamiliar with Los Amigos Invisibles, and all you have to go on are Amazon's song samples and this review, please, take my word: this is a musical experience that goes beyond the cliches of a "latin" or "samba" sound. This album avoids cliche (and, to be honest, uses cliche when it works, too). It's an experinence that will get into your soul, if you let yourself enjoy it for what it is.

A genre-transcending album.