Album Notes

Batata Doce (meaning "sweet potato" in Portuguese) started off as a mere duo back in 2007, composing then of Brazilian-born singer/guitarist Leticia Arioli and Russell Owens. Over time, with the gradual additions of Justin Hughes (Rock*A*Teens), Justin Sias (Elevado), Todd Morrison (Pistolero), and latest member Todd Barnett on saxophone, the band has finally released their debut album "Sonâmbulo". A mixture of several different Latin-American musical styles all at once, including Tropicalia and Bossa Nova, the group also likes to experiment with genre norms by flirting with psychedelic rock, pop and even adding a little punk and ska edge to the mix for good measure. The band becomes a well-oiled dance machine on this record, with all of the musicians on it very much technically gifted; yet one never overshadows another for center-stage attention. The opening track, "A Menina" brings Arioli's breezy-style of singing, creating the perfect balance with well-timed cymbals, heavy bass lines and intricate guitar. "Corda Bamba" sounds like a song Manu Chao and his crew would easily have put on a future record, with its feet-moving beats and horns. "Sonâmbulo" overall is a worldly treat, reminding us of how intertwined our cultures really are. It is full of excellent songs, rhythmic vocal and saxophone melodies, and inspired collisions. It leaves you satisfied from this dizzying cocktail of beats and sounds.