SXSW 2005 Showcasing Artists
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Bio Ritmo
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Picking up where Salsa’s golden age left off in the late 70’s is the mission of Bio Ritmo.
“The purity of intent and the spirit of experimenting with this music has since been unmatched”, says singer Rei Alvarez. “Since that time Salsa has fallen victim to commercialism, and with that comes limitations for both the music and lyrical content.” Indeed, the widely heard Salsa of the airwaves is plagued with predictable progressions and shallow, unoriginal lyrics. “The Salsa Machine”, as Bio Ritmo calls itself, writes songs using elements from the classic age, keeping within the style while retaining the spirit of experimentation that once gave Salsa its strength. A clash between Afro-Cuban dance music and Jazz in the hands of the Newyorican culture gave birth to the music, and according to Bio Ritmo it could have gone further if not for the machinations of the commercial music industry, which seeks to keep the general public in “musical oblivion”, which leads to predictable sales. Therefore the “Underground Salsa” of Bio Ritmo. Aside from a timbal, conga, piano and bass rhythm section and a four-member brass team, the strength of a humble story and the positivity of a fresh melody make up the Salsa Machine’s weapon arsenal. Their style has been dubbed “old school Salsa with a twist”. Maybe it’s because the orchestra consists of musicians from backgrounds other than the Salsa industry: Rock and Jazz 2003 Winners of Discmakers Indy Music World Series (North East Showcase) 2004 Finalist in Independent Music Awards **Bio Ritmo is currently looking for representation. The Beat Magazine "They have proved it is still possible to be true to the roots while ex-panding the parameters of their music in an intelligent thoughtful and entertaining way. We want more groups like Bio Ritmo." The News & Observers "BIo Ritmo honors its traditions but is not afraid to bring them into the 21st century Flagpole "Leaders of the 'alternative salsa' musical phenomenon" Herald-Times "The group abhors what passes for salsa music today, instead taking the music in new directions." Latin Style Magazine "These musicians are serious, their songs original, arrangements tight, & their live shows raise the roof!" |
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