Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca: Isabela (Mopiato/Southbound)

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Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca: Kasongo Boogaloo
Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca: Isabela (Mopiato/Southbound)

Anyone wanting a quick injection of jazzy Afro-Latin grooves and palm wine warmth shouldn't go past this laid-back but lively outing by this LA-based but authentic band which is like a smorgasbord of Spanish, soukous, son, salsa, Congolese rumba and much more -- with the great guitarist Papa Noel appearing four tracks.

And the Cape Verde singer Maria de Barros drops by for a couple of songs.

Those are the kinds of bonuses you might expect to elevate a mediocre album but in this case they are right there among equals on this excellent collection whih invites you to hip-sway, and sigh along with the ballads.

If the Buena Vista and its trickle-down impressed you then you'll be signing on here.

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