March 1999

Los de Abajo
Los de Abajo
Luaka Bop

By Josef Woodard

Alterna-Latin vibes aplenty shimmy off of Los de Abajo (Luakabop 46974; 43:05), introducing the young, feisty Mexico City-based band to a north o' the border audience. They manage to mix up a range of Latin rhythms, Afro-Cuban ideas, and traces of punk attitude; raw edges are welcome. It's raucous good fun, and, probably not coincidentally, is reminiscent of some of the Latin-minded music of Luakabop CEO David Byrne. It's another good example of the way that Byrne and Co. have helped in expanding listening horizons in the Latin American area.