Charanga Cakewalk,
Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge

Label: Karuna Music/Triloka Records
Year: 2004

(4 out of 5)

Michael Ramos has been around the pop music scene for years, from stints with The BoDeans and The Rembrandts to studio and touring support for John Mellencamp, Paul Simon, and Patty Griffin. In fact, it was Griffin who encouraged Ramos to resume work on his own music.

Between tours with Mellencamp and Griffin, and even in spare time while on tour, Ramos pieced together tracks under the nom de plume Charanga Cakewalk. Eschewing formulaic pop for a techno-Tejano blend, Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge is a fun and funky world music blend that one can't help but move to.

Loteria provides a showcase for Ramos's wizardry as both a studio engineer and a multi-instrumentalist. Tracks recorded in remote motel rooms sound just as good as those recorded in his Austin studio, and Ramos has crafted a seamless pastiche from dozens of distinct sessions. Furthermore, he sparkles on everything from a Hammond B3 and Wurlitzer to trumpet and accordion.

With the help of friends like guitarist David Garza (Dahveed), Ramos defines a refreshing and uplifting fusion of techno beats and Mexican lore, of haunting rhythms and elegies for unrequited love.

The club future is bright for Charanga Cakewalk, but it's up to Ramos to decide whether it remains a side project or a full-on devotion. With neither Mellencamp nor Griffin showing any sign of paring their tour schedules, that decision is sure to be anything but a cakewalk.

Buy: Amazon

November 11, 2004