Island Life (CD - 2005)

Additional personnel: Peret (vocals, acoustic guitar); El Cigala, Fulanito, Joe Bataan, Orishas, Ajay Naidu, Celia Cruz (vocals); Les Nubians, M1 (rap vocals); John Leguizamo, Montse Cortés, Rossy DePalma (spoken vocals); El Nino Josele (acoustic guitar); Ile Aiye (percussion).

Yerba Buena let their Deee-Lite out and come to terms with their inner Kid Creole & the Coconuts on their spicy, sparkling, and entirely weekend sophomore release, Island Life. The album is one Saturday short of their stunning debut, but there are more quirky and smart touches and the highlights are extra spicy. The collective blend together a wealth of Latin styles like they did on their debut, but this time hip-hop is favored over house when it comes to outside influences. That M1 from Dead Prez has to adapt his style to the band rather than vice-versa is an interesting and different way to handle the usual hip-hop guest appearance, and minus the reggaeton remix of "Sugar Daddy" snuck on the end of the CD, the album favors organic over electronic. "Sugar Daddy" works best in the club, but the rest of the salsa-meets-son-meets-whatever-they-feel-like album works just fine in the car, on the headphones, and anywhere else the party needs starting. Segues, skits, and sound effects are part of the picture, as are an assortment of guest artists that are obviously enjoying themselves. Few acts could handle John Leguizamo, Les Nubians, and Celia Cruz on the same album, yet Yerba Buena handle them all on a single track. According to Yerba themselves, Island Life is a concept album that's "a soundtrack for urbanistic island living." That just about nails it; just add "fun," "exciting," "sexy," "whimsical," and "worth every penny." ~ David Jeffries

With their unique blend of Latin music, hip-hop, R&B, and pop, Yerba

Buena made a big splash with their debut album, PRESIDENT ALIEN. While avoiding Rock en Espanol cliches, the follow-up, ISLAND LIFE, boasts a pan-Latin sound that bespeaks the musicians' familiarity with the traditions of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and more. The pace is generally frenetic throughout the album, and the vibe a steamy one, as percussion, horns, and guitar vie for attention on one percolating, polyrhythmic workout after another. Unlike many Latin acts that have made the crossover to a wider audience, Yerba Buena never seems to be pandering to the gringo market. Only a couple of tracks, the suggestive "Sugar Daddy" and the equally salacious "Bilingual Girl," feature English-language vocals, and there are no tacky rock trappings grafted on. The eclecticism of ISLAND LIFE depends most heavily on the

aforementioned variety of Latin musical roots, though there are

undercurrents of funk, reggae and, at one point, a bit of Fela Kuti-style Afrobeat. Uncompromising but completely accessible, ISLAND LIFE moves further down the inroads Yerba Buena made with PRESIDENT ALIEN. minimize