Space Mambo

LP version. Write a fistful of cool songs, recruit the right musicians, practice a lot, make a great single, get a van and wait for the phone to ring. That's the old formula which all "would-be-somebodys" in this business continue to use. But it always seems to fail at some point, usually the phone ringing part. But the Limboos worked this strategy perfectly. Within months, and only on the merit of one single, the band has garnered tremendous reviews, turning the road into their home and the scene into their office. On this album, their first LP, they sharpen and expand on the sound defined on their 45 RPM single debut - that mixture of R&B and Latin rhythms, aptly described as "exotic rhythm and blues," continues to prevail. But the 12 songs on the LP stretch out into deeper territory - old school New Orleans second line (the single from the album, Big Chef) or gutbucket '50s Texas blues ("Rockin'") combined with Cuban rhythms ("Space Mambo," the title-track) or Brazilian cumbia ("Brownie"). All beautifully thrown into a blender, making it the national cocktail of a place you would damn sure want to live, if that place even existed. Talent, attitude and energy - these are the three ingredients that define the Limboos to perfection. Above all, they are elegant and adept at any language they speak. Coupled with the profound production of Mike Mariconda, Space Mambo is noticeably fresh in comparison with much of today's music and a unique listening sensation.