In review--Spicy Caribbean
Picoso (Mad Latin Flavor) Mas Picao Independent release (Seattle) Any band that gets a park full of picnickers and music fans dancing during the opening of their first song deserves a shout out. Seattle-based Afro-Latin band Picoso, which translates to “mad Latin flavor”, brought their punchy horns, Afro-poly rhythms, and rousing vocals to Boulevard Park in Bellingham, Washington, and the dancers went mad with their own Latin flavor. Described as “urban” and “very street,” ( Seattle Sound Magazine ) Picoso mixes salsa, son, reggaeton and other Caribbean genres on their CD Mas Picao . This recording features Samantha Boshnack on trumpet, but live, a woman trombone player joined her, filling out the band’s horn section. I only mention this because I’ve never seen women horn players in an Afro-Cuban band prior to this event. Puerto Rican bandleader/percussionist/vocalist Alfonso Gonzalez sings with gusto so I could see why...