Plena Libre
Theplena--a Puerto Rican style of folk music with strong African roots--is often compared to calypso because of its driving beat and lyrics that deal with the political realities of the working class. The form is extremely popular in Puerto Rico, although almost unknown elsewhere. Plena Libre was created by bass player Gary Nuñez and singer Giovanni Lugo, Puerto Rican musicians who wanted to take the plena international. To this end, they added a brass section to the traditional lineup of hand drums, guitars, and quintos, and while this gives the music a slightly "salsa-fied" feeling, you won't mistake its complicated rhythms and impassioned call and response vocals for salsa romántica. The drummers work at least three rhythmic lines into every tune, and when the singers add a staccato vocal pattern to the mix, as they do on "Tumbalakatin" and "Carnival," it's impossible to stay in your seat.--j. poet