Album Notes

In the early nineties, back in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rowan Jimenez and Juan Manuel Caipo met at a local music store. Jimenez was looking for a drummer and Caipo for a lead singer. Soon after, they realized that they shared the same vision of starting a band that would break both Latino and Rock stereotypes. The band that grew out of that vision is oriXa, (which means "forces of nature"), now recognized as one of the strongest, most important Independent Latin Alternative acts in the United States.
oriXa signifies roots and evolution, sonically and musically. Their sound draws from a multitude of styles, ranging from Rock, Reggae and HipHop to Brazilian, Funk, and Afro Latino. "We play many styles of music, oriXa-style...we interpret and add our own touch" says Caipo. Imagine the rock edge of Led Zeppelin and Jane's Addiction fused with the rhythmic flavors of Ruben Blades and Busta Rhymes, and you've got the powerful, melodic vibrations known as oriXa.
It is 2005 and on February 8th Orixa will release "Siembra", the bands 3rd album. "Siembra" brings the fusion of sounds Orixa is known for but highlights the bands new lineup. Rowan Jimenez, Juan Manuel Caipo, and newest members Michael Cavaseno on Guitar and Charles Gasper on Bass have put together what is being considered Orixa's best work to date. The album was produced by Caipo mostly in his home studio. "Siembra" features some great guest musicians such as the master Karl Perrazo (Santana) on Congas, Emiliano Benevides on Brazilian Percussion (Batmakumba). There is this fine line of fusion in the music where the band brings Zep like guitar riffs over a Rock Batucada type groove such as in "Fuerza" to a melodic smooth vocal melody with a melancholy guitar riff over a funky Hip-Hop groove as in "Cuando Era Niño". "We've grown and we are not afraid to try different things and sounds that we like" says the band.The video for the first single "Siembra", directed by Uruguayan cinematographer Leonardo Ricagni, is currently on rotation on MTV-es. Leonardo approached Orixa after checking out a live performance at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles as part of the Latin Alternative Music Conference in 2003. At the time Orixa was hard at work developing material for the album "Siembra". "It was a great opportunity to do a video so we went for it", says the band. Typically the album comes first. Leonardo's vision was perfect for the song "Siembra" so the band jumped on it.
In 1996, oriXa's self-titled debut album was released by the first Latin-alternative label in the U.S, the now-defunct Aztlan Records. The album featured songs like "Sacudete", still a favorite among fans, and "Latino Culturizate", establishing the band at a national level in the then underground Rock en Español scene.
Following their departure from Aztlan Records in 1998, oriXa released "2012e.d" on their own Elegua Records label (now Elegua Digital Records). The recordings contained in "2012e.d.", originally intended just as demos, launched oriXa to a level beyond their wildest expectations. The band received Awards, Nominations, Press, Radio airplay and toured nationally.
Now with the release of "Siembra" and an Album release show on February 19 at The Independent - 628 Divisadero San Francisco, the band gets ready to kick it into gear in 2005.The intensity of the band's energy will move you. The electrifying combination of frontman Rowan Jimenez's charismatic performance and explosive vocals, Michael's rocking and soulful guitar riffs, layered over Gasper's thumping bass lines and JM Caipo's commanding drum grooves, will make you want to jump, , dance and rock. Come and enjoy the Orixa ride!