Amazon.com: It seems almost criminal to say anything less than stellar about Island Life, the sophomore album from producer Andre Levin's latin-fusion collective Yerba Buena. And indeed, there's a sufficent amount of energy and plenty of good-time party vibes on the disc, which infuses the Afro-Cuban framwork with cumbia, salsa, merengue and flamenco rhythms. The thing is, we've heard much of this hybrid before, done in more substantial ways. Yerba Buena wants to be all things to all people, and its music is jam-packed with splashy collaborators. The cutesy "Sugar Daddy" is a prime example, featuring something for traditionalists (Celia Cruz), urban hipsters (Les Nubians), and even movie buffs (John Leguizamo)--all in one song. There are also appearances from the critically acclaimed rap group Orishas (standout "La Candela"), Grammy favorite Diego "El Cigala" ("Corazon Bandolero) and Pedro Almodovar muse Rossy De Palma. It makes for an interesting A-list of world music VIPs and oddities, but Island Life ultimately doesn't gel into something outstanding. It's merely OK. --Joey Guerra
Disc 1:
Dr. Aneub Abreys Island Blues Cures: Intro
El Burrito
Sugar Daddy (featuring John Leguizamo & Les Nubians with Celia Cruz)
La Vida La Life
Belly Dancer (featuring Fulanito & members of Gogol Bordello)
La Candela (Prendela) (featuring Orishas)
Corazon Bandolero (featuring El Cigala)
Bilingual Girl (featuring Joe Bataan)
Fever (featuring M1 from Dead Prez)
Bla Bla Bla
No No No
Dr. Aneub Abreys Island Blues Cures: Accent Elimination
Cityzen Citysoy
Te Estoy Amando Locamente (featuring Rosi DePalma)
El Burrito (Saboreando) (featuring Peret & Ile Aye)
A nice departure from my typical listening habits I like to keep my music varied.
Island Life is the equivalent of a pair of shoes I don't wear often. When I do wear them, however, I'm in a different state of mind. I bought this album while in Baghdad in 2006. I'm still listening occasionally to re-capture some of those bittersweet moments.
If you like your music with Cuban flavor Island Life will satisfy.
Best motivation to learn Spanish ever!! Well, OK. I can think of one motivation that might be better. But this CD is amazing, even for a white boy that knows no Spanish. It's a big island where all you need to do is love the rhythm and the music!
This is a concept album that works because it is all about fun. Andres Levin takes us on a tour of the island that seems to move from funky to hip hop to Cuban to god knows where. It pokes fun at itself and some easy targets (Pres. Bush).
So don't miss out. Even if you don't speak spanish, you will like this one. But as they say, two tongues are better than one, baby.
Great disc I love the CD and recommend it to anyone! President Alien (Yerba Buena) is the BOMB as well.
Island Life I first heard of Yerbabuena, while listening to NPR's "The World", and immediately knew that I had to get the CD. Yerbabuena is explosive, witty, and well executed. I'm not sure what other reviewers are referring to... the album is a gem in my opinion, catchy lyrics, great fusion, good instrumentation...not to mention contributions by Diego "El Cigala", Orishas, and others. It's a shame that Yerbabuena does not get airtime play in broadcast stations (yet), they are certainly a cut above the overplayed reggeton, salsa and repetitive ballads in Latin radio. If you are tired of all the above, this album is for you. Enjoy.
Trying too hard Andres Levin is a genius ... behind the console. When put in front of a band, he's merely ok. He is a great producer and sound engineer, yet his two efforts w/ Yerba Buena somehow fail to grasp my imagination the way other latin and spanglish bands do. For an excellent example of music PRODUCED but not performed by Mr. Levin, I recommend our countrymen (yes, both Levin and me are venezuelans) Los Amigos Invisibles' first american published album "The new sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera.
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