Blazing a trail by playing some of the hardest hitting and far-reaching modern salsa for 23 years now, Richmond, Virginia’s Bio Ritmo, have grown into one of the most exciting and unpredictable Latin dance bands in the world.
They have done this on their own terms with a DIY ethos that pervades their attitude and style, releasing their music either by themselves or on indie and hip hop labels like Merge, Fat Beats and, Electric Cowbell. They convert the skeptics who only know the overly commercialized, tacky veneer of Latin music. They cite Stereolab and Brazilian psychedelic music as influences along with Ray Barretto, Fania records, and obscure Greek and Turkish love songs. They are true salsa revivalists who defy being pigeonholed.
On Thursday June 26 Bio Ritmo play a record-release party for their new record Puerta Del Sol (release: June 9, 2014), at IOTA in Arlington. The album is being released on the Spanish reissue label, Vampisoul, which is mostly known for releasing lost Latin music across such genres as: Rock en español, Spanish Soul, Latin funk, chicha, and salsa.
The premier single and video from the new album, “La Via,” showcases a glorious legacy of attitude, quality, and classic style that fits right in with one of the hippest and most respected reissue labels on the planet.
DC is more or less a second home to the group. Making the trek up and down I-95 for the last 20 years to play countless gigs in the capital at the old 15 Minute Club or Kilimanjaro’s, and later years at the Black Cat or Smithsonian. Maybe even more recently you’ve spotted them on U Street at Tropicalia with Los Master Plus.
This will be their first time back at Iota in over 5 years. It’s a great venue to catch them with a great stage and ample room on the dance floor. DJ Crown Vic will spin all vinyl sets of classic salsa, tripped-out tropical sounds, and world music oddities.
Tell us why we should send YOU to Thursday’s show on us, and our friends at Iota and Bio Ritmo will choose the 2 most enthusiastic voices on Thursday at 9AM for 2 pairs of tickets each (2 total per person) which also comes with a copy of their 45RPM 7-inch,”Dina’s Mambo” for each winner! So…go! Leave a comment below!
