Hometown: Richmond, VA
Label: Electric Cowbell Records
Management: Entour Entertainment
Website: www.myspace.com
Sounds Like: Grupo Fantasma, undefined, La Excelencia, Afro-Cuban All Stars, " El Gran Combo "
Genre: Latin
Leaders of the new 'old school' Salsa movement”, Bio Ritmo, founded in 1991 is internationally recognized as one of the leading bands preserving the roots of Salsa Dura and considered one of the “few pioneers and most innovative Salsa band out there today” Their music is all original, incorporating all that you would expect from musicians who have grown up listening to a wide variety of musical styles, especially obscure Latin music of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Their cutting edge sound, lends itself to original founders of Salsa Dura, like Eddie Palmirei, Willie Colon, Cortijo and Roberto Roena, always experimenting, while still keeping a strong hold on the music’s Afro-Latin roots.
“One of the most life-affirming albums of the year. It’s ultimately hard to write about a record that reveals itself as easily and perfectly as this one does – it’s virtually wall-to-wall perfection!”
Pop Matters
“Impresionante. Un disco de salsa con la misma urgencia y rigor musical que presentaban las obras maestras del género, allá por los años 70.”
AARP Español
“Of all of the working salsa bands today, there are only a few who transcend the conventions established 40 some odd years ago....They're smart, but definitely not at the expense of the music”
Descarga.com
“Breaking with all the clichés of the typical salsa bar band that plays standards simply to make people dance, Bio Ritmo does their own thing, in their own style and play good, original music that can be easily appreciated by open-minded people who are not necessarily into salsa. Plus, they are the only current salsa band in the US releasing vinyl!”
The Hard Data
“The group has been impressive all along, but they've progressively gotten better and better, really developing into one of the most exciting and least pigeonhole-able modern groups out there!
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DustyGroove.com
“Their indie style salsa music just works.”
Austin Vida
“Deeper than the vacation music it sounds like at first brush, this is certainly an essential soundtrack for any backyard gathering whether gringo or not.”
Midwest Records
“There are only eight tracks on La Verdad but within those tracks are packed more quality salsa grooves and innovations than many bands will ever accrue in their careers.”
Sounds and Colours
"Neither today nor ever before has there been a salsa group quite like Bio Ritmo. The group plays, unmistakably, with the beat and attitude of '70s-era salsa dura (hard salsa). But the conventionality stops there. With a roster that includes former rastas, punks, rockers, and jazzistas, Bio-Ritmo can't help but bring an exhilarating unorthodoxy to its music. T
Marlon Bishop - WNYC
“5 1/2 Stars! A much-needed breath of fresh air... innovation and high-energy raw, joyous sound; Yes, they base their sound on 70s style Nuyorican salsa but then, just as they did in the 70s, they experiment, use modern tools and techniques and make it their own and something new.”
Tijana Ilich - LatinMuisc.About.com
“Bio Ritmo has proved it is still possible to be true to the roots while expanding the parameters of their music in an intelligent, thoughtful and entertaining way. We want more groups like Bio Ritmo.”
The Beat Magazine
“A very creative band that takes salsa to the next level. Bionico is an exciting piece of work that keeps salsa fresh, always preserving its roots, while keeping an eye on the future.”
Latin Beat Magazine
“…groovy neo-salsa band, Bio Ritmo, who fuses elements of traditional styles with electronica. Bio Ritmo knows how to preserve the soul of Salsa while adding in a few less-than-orthodox ingredients.”
CMJ Spotlight Winner
“Bio Ritmo may have made one of the best groove-oriented discs I’ve heard all year, .. the band's truly inventive songwriting. Very much looking back at the NuYorican sound”
The Eye Weekly
“Salsa Kings.”
Chicago Sun Times
“Album Pick! Pure grooves from start to finish. It’s hard to remember a salsa experience that has been more fun than Bio Ritmo.”
AllAboutJazz.com
"Bio Ritmo is one of the few pioneers in that movement and simply the most innovative salsa band out there."
Aguzate.org
“Ringing cowbell and zapping synthesizer to take its edgy salsa to a new level.
With the right lead singer, right direction and right level of experience, Bio Ritmo's stars are finally aligned.”
Mario Ona - Washington Post, Weekender
“… searing Salsa, meant to ignite a dance floor. Bio Ritmo brings Salsa into an energetic modern place, accessible to those who might otherwise never have cast the form a glance while inviting in some purists to check out new ways of approaching it.”
North Adams Transcript
“You can always hear the sweat and finesse in Bio Ritmo's funky, jazzy, spacey salsa. …which for me is one of the highest states of musical perfection. …they SMOKE live”
David Dacks - Abstract Index Blog
“Bio Ritmo have created a genuinely funky and wild salsa album that is as much about the old school as it is about taking the genre to the next level.”
Exclaim!
“Without a doubt leaders of the post-salsa revolution”
Hour.ca