The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1 [ENHANCED] [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Los Amigos Invisibles

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 4, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Luaka Bop
• ASIN: B0001XAPXS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #93,251 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > South & Central America > Venezuela

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 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

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.

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" (Somerville, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible musicians and performers!, June 11, 2004

By A Customer

I have been a fan of Los Amigos Invisibles since I stumbled onto them playing a gig on PBS' Sessions show back in the late 90's. Anyhow, I saw they were playing a show in a small club here in Seattle last nite. For $15 I had to go! Honestly I would have paid more to see these guys. The energy that these men play with is both amazing and genuine. You can tell that they enjoy playing to their fans. This album, which comprised the bulk of their 2+ hour set is incredible. Particular jems which stand out are: Una Disco Llena, Playa Azul, Ease Your Mind, Diablo(Produced by DJ Dimitri from Paris), and Bruja. You can certainly hear the influence of the MAW crew on their sound. This album much tighter and focused than previous efforts; which isnt a bad thing.
If you are EVER given the priveledge to see these guys live..by all means go!