Sometimes good things come in small unmarked packages! Such was the case when Los Hacheros’ album Bambulaye arrived in my mailbox. This fantastic album of Latin music harks back to the golden age of the genre and reminded me of the days of my youth in Miami. This Brooklyn based band are so in touch with the vintage style of the music they love that they recorded the whole thing analog for a grittier and more raw feel; they succeeded as Bambulaye feels and sounds like a record from another time.
With influences ranging from son montuno and guaracha to
salsa Los Hacheros’ sound is as diverse as the city they call home. The result is a record that sounds fresh,
alive, and energetic despite looking to the past for inspiration. Throw in the band’s ability to not only
improvise musically but lyrically as well and you have a band that’s vibrant
and truly creative. This creativity and
improvisational nature allows the songs of Bambulaye
to become these organic, living and breathing works of energy that are fiery
and loose. It’s a magnificent work of
art here and Los Hacheros do such a great job of creating an old world
atmosphere that it’s hard not to love Bambulaye.
With amazing musicianship, a love of the past, fantastic spontaneity
and songs that are almost impossible not to dance to Bambulaye is pure perfection.
Los Hacheros are an amazing unit who have captured the energy and
passion of their forefathers and created something uniquely their own. They might not actually be from the Golden Age
of Latin Music but don’t tell them that!
Bambulaye is a constant
reminder of how seductive Latin music is and as such it’s an essential record
of the genre. 
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