Cybertropic Chilango Power
Exploding out of Mexico City,Cybertropic Chilango PowerisLos de Abajo's second  release forDavid Byrne's  Luaka Bop label. Los de Abajo's recent nomination for the first BBC Radio 3  World Music Awards has pushed them further forward, though these Chilangos  (denizens of Mexico City) have now been together for a decade. The world at  large had to wait until 1998 for their eponymous debut album; prior to that, Los  De Abajo's early efforts circulated via the local cassette underground. The band  name means "those from below," a reference to the members' politically activist  leanings. Besides having an uncompromising lyrical content, the music reeks of  unhealthy fun, set to fire up fans of Ozomatli, Manu Chao, or even Los Lobos.  The salsa, son, cumbia, and Mexican trad elements vibrate in sympathy with  hip-hop, reggae, ska, funk, and electro, the band handily providing the genre name  of TropiPunk to encapsulate where their fusing lies in the category bins. Their  signature sound is dripping with saucy trumpet innuendo, the ensemble vocals  ranging from raspy rap to harmonious Latino. Stretchy bass intermarries with  stalking piano, a reggae bounce alternates with speedy salsa, and the hardcore  Mexican content is provided by mad street band interludes and an  armadillo-shelled charango and harp episode.--Martin Longley