Artist: Songo
CD: Havana Soul
Home: San Francisco, California
Style: Latin Rock/Funk
Quote: “This band sounds like a street party. If you’re into Santana
or any kind of Latin rhythm, you will love this.”
Right away, El Spider’s voice knocked me off my seat. That’s the singer’s
name. El Spider. Just bear with me. He fronts the San Francisco Latin rock/funk
band Songo with a powerful, strong, sexy voice. Then the music reaches out of
the speakers and just seizes you.
This band sounds like a street party. If you’re into Santana or any kind
of Latin rhythm, you will love this. “Never Seen,” in particular,
sounds like a musical celebration of life and music, despite the gritty lyrics
about how rough life can be. There’s something about this music that gets
into your bloodstream and makes you want to move.
My favorite track is “Con Quién,” which is sung in a mix of
Spanish and English and is pure musical heat. The singer demands to know who
has taken his place in his woman’s life, and my windows started steaming
up. Later, the outstanding percussion on “In The City” almost made
my smoke alarm go off. The percussionist (it’s either Brian Andres or Stan
Ginn) just bangs away on anything he can get his hands on. If these guys ever
come over to your house, lock away the breakable stuff.
Another favorite of mine, “Walking on Water,” features some great
backing vocals by guest artist Kathleen Myers. She sings with spirit and soul,
which matches the song’s theme of trying to find one’s spiritual path.
I love these lyrics:
“I look a crosstown bus to see my shaman. He told me he saw a snake, a
rat, and a lion’s den. He said ‘you’ve got the choice, listen
to your inner voice,’ so I turned it up to ten, all I got was static. Then
a little whisper turned into a loud yell, things I haven’t heard in years,
like ‘Pick up this damn mess,’ ‘This is our little secret,’
and ‘Only you can prevent forest fires.’ What did all that crap mean
anyway?”
These songs belong on the radio. Through the slower, jazzier numbers like “Tu
Sabor” and the cool, suave, sophisticated sound of “Strange Clouds,”
we get grooving guitar work and a growl in the vocals.
And what a growl. Damn, that boy can sing.
Artist Website: www.songo.com
