Grupo Latin Vibe

All That Vibe
CD (Latin Vibe 9123), Released 2005;
Editor's Pick:
There is something irresistible about vibes-based salsa — the instrument brings a melodic creaminess that enhances the natural seductive power of salsa. It's not that the brightness of a metal horn section can't attain that place: it's just that the vibes (which typically replace the horns) often offer a subtler, somewhat more mature route to getting there. Recent offerings by the New York Sextet, Son Boricua, and Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Café come to mind. Joe Cuba and Tito Puente were both masters of the form.

The local New York band Grupo Latin Vibe continue in this tradition, offering rich, sexy dance grooves on All That Vibe, their second release that is comprised of all original material mostly by leader-vibist Tommy Mattioli and vocalist-conguero Anibal "Tito" Rivera. Mr. Rivera's singing is just right: The vocals remain integrated as part of the composition, never upstaging. And this formula works well: these compositions are made for the dancers, and can be thoroughly intoxicating. Check out "La LLave" and "No Te Vayas Ramon," two rich, deep dance grooves that help to take you to another place. But wait: The hypnotic power of "No Te Vas..." drops you into the unexpectedly hard-driving, head-spinning "Llego El Rumbero." Boom. This is terrific jazzy salsa with flair and an original soul.

Highly Recommended. (BP, 2005-07-05)

Song titles include:
Pa' Los Bravos 5:14
Si Tu Bailas... 5:23
Rico Cha Cha Cha 5:27
Ritmo Pa' Borinquen 5:47
La Llave 6:07
No Te Vayas Ramon 4:32
Llego El Rumbero 4:30
Can't Get Enough 5:20
Conquistar Tu Corazon 6:01
Aprieta El Bongo 5:02
La Fiesta Ya Comenso 4:30
All That Vibe 4:20

Musicians include:
Anibal "Tito" Rivera Lead vocals, congas
Tommy Mattioli Vibraphone, coro, strings
Carlos "Traba" Velazquez Bass
Awilda Santiago Coro, hand percussion
William Paul Piano, coro
Giancarlo "Panama" Anderson Bongo, bell
Victor Rendon Timbales, bata
Invited Guests: Willie Rivera Serrano Guiro
Manny Mieles Coro, maracas
Heriberto Rodriguez Bongo