Yerba Buena – Two Sets! 9pm and 11pm
The brainchild of acclaimed producer Andres Levin, New Yorks Latin-funk collective Yerba Buena came together as an outgrowth of Levins extensive discography, including work as principal producer of the Red Hot Organizations applauded Red Hot + Riot album (year-end TOP-10 in Rolling Stone, TIME & The New York Times). That intense critical praise was just as instant and far-reaching with Yerba Buenas 2003 Grammy-nominated debut album President Alien. The groups super-infectious live-band party feel totally changed everyones idea of new Latin groove with a mind-bendingly original, Afro-Cuban/Afrobeat/hiphop attack.
Even with all the high praise for the first albums innovative sound, Levin and group cofounder Ilena Padron (aka CuCu Diamnates) were not satisfied with playing it safe and serving up more of the same. With its 13 contagious new tracks, Yerba Buenas new concept album Island Life is an ambitious urban-tropical synthesis that wont let you stop dancing. I always want the Yerba Buena sound to be evolving, said Levin, a/k/a Dre taking a break from the mixing board at his Fun Machine studio. Yerba Buena will always be about Afro-Cuban roots, but this record has more gypsy and cumbia influences sounds Ive heard around the world and that Im now hearing across New York as well. I think the confluence of different immigrant music in New York is a great avenue for pop culture to explore.
Since Yerba Buena has always channeled the spirit of tropical island rhythms with the energy of New York, its fitting that the new album is titled Island Life. I always thought it was funny when I would hear people in New York say that they need to get away to an island forgetting that they were already living on one, explains Levin. With Manhattans growing Spanglish soul, the island music is right here on our own streets whether its meringue, reggaeton or even steel drums. Island Life is a state of mind, and a way to express my love affair with New York City.
Just as Yerba Buenas acclaimed live shows are known as a place where a wealth of eclectic special guests often join in, it seemed natural to continue that spirit on Island Life. To me, Yerba Buena is like a caravan, and I conceived this record as a sort of stage revue or film soundtrack to the urban travels of that caravan – with many cameo appearances from special musicians we find along the way. This staggeringly diverse lineup of guests include John Leguizamo, El Cigala, Les Nubians, Fulanito, Orishas, Joe Bataan, M1 of Dead Prez, Peret & Ile Aye, Gogol Bordello, Rosie DePalma & more. Whether musically, or vocally, each guest is a character actor bringing something fresh to the Yerba Buena production, like comedian John Leguizamo as the Sugar Daddy without a walletful of cash, vibing with Les Nubians and a sample of the late, great Celia Cruz. Between-tracks interludes feature guest narrators like actor Ajay Naidu, as Dr. Aneub Abrey (Yerba Buena spelled backwards), dispensing advice on how to cope with day-to-day island life in Manhattan. The presence of the awe-inspiring flamenco singer Diego El Cigala, the legendary gypsy rumba vocalist Peret, and Pedro Almod
