De Bichos Y Flores
Stuck between Brazil and Argentina, the tiny country of Uruguay makes up  for its lack of size with the powerful and pulsatingrock en Españolmeets ska meets reggae sound of the inventive La Vela Puerca. OnDe Bichos y  Flores, the follow-up to their self-titled debut, the group is led by  Sebastián Teysera's strong vocals laid out over bass, drums, guitars, saxophone,  and trumpet. Think of a South American version of the British punk icons theSpecialsand thePolice, with a little bit  of Afro-Uruguayanmurgarhythm thrown in, and you'll get the right sonic  seasonings of this combo. "Por la Ciudad," "El Huracan," and "Por Dentro"  encompass their folkloric, Jamaicanized bounce, while the midtempo "Contradecir"  features strings. All told, it's lots of fun. If only the United Nations could  blend cultures this easily.--Eugene Holley, Jr.