Mo Vida

Product Review

Mo' Vida! charts a course along the cutting edge of Latin music, but what makes it so fascinating is that much of it doesn't originate in Latin countries. Ricardo Lemvo, from the Republic of Congo, now a resident in the United States, offers some reggae-inflected hip-hop. King Changó was born in Venezuela, but his home is in New York, and three of the artists here, including Sergent García, are from France. It doesn't mean real Latin music is unadventurous by any means. Cuba's Orishas have the best hip-hop track on the album with "Represent," and Xiomara Fortuna, from the tiny Dominican Republic, catches a wonderful reggae groove on "Juana la Loca" while keeping some exquisite polyrhythms going. What it boils down to is that the world is becoming one musical melting pot with everybody drawing from--and adding to--the music that moves them. Latin music means far more than salsa or rumba these days, and, as this shows in grand style, far more than the pristine Latin pop of Ricky Martin. Welcome to the 21st century, Latin style. --Chris Nickson

Title Tracks for Mo Vida

1. Hoy Me Voy - Segent Garcia
2. Se Escaparon - Bombon
3. Nganga Kisi - Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
4. Funky Latin Boogalu - Patricia Melecio
5. Somos Los Mocosos - Los Mocosos
6. Melting Pot - King Chango
7. Juana La Loca - Xiomara Fortuna
8. Limbo Negro (Caliente Remix) - MeNeLik
9. No Limites - Alliance Ethnik
10. Represent - Orishas

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(4 customer reviews)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

mo' vida will get u movin!, July 1, 2000

El Cyd 2G (Monterey, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mo Vida (Audio CD)

This cd really delivers what it promises. the new directions in salsa and latin groove is excellently displayed on this cd. my fave tracks are the last 3 because they have a hip hop flavor,(and they got me movin) but they keep the original flavor of their culture which blends afro,latino and french linguistics. Que Movida! what a party! the cd includes an intro to the artists involved and the meanings and intentions behind the tracks. Sorry no lyrics, but it wouldn't be cutting edge if you could totally understand it no? If you haven't sampled it yet, please do you will be convinced. if not, go sample it at your local borders before ordering it, cause the last three tracks are irresistable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Not one weak track..., September 16, 2004

Stephen Cabral (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mo Vida (Audio CD)

Unless you want to count Santana or War, I know very little about Latin music. But I do know this is a great collection. I have heard of none of the artists (except Los Mocossos rings a bell) but it's very diverse within this genre, crossing over into funk, rap and rock. Not one weak track. Also includes a 24 page booklet.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Keep it on replay, April 15, 2005

Debby Ng (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mo Vida (Audio CD)

Any sexier and spicier and you'll have to call the fire department and the cops. Famous hot hits that never fade in the Latin music scene include Se Escaparon [T2] and Represent [T9]... BUT i was pleasantly suprised with the hidden 10th track! Absolutely on STEAM!

This is a tight collection, the best in my opinion, of the Putumayo Series.