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Randy Alexander (856) 596-1410 or [email protected]
Kim Gritzke (518) 518-797-3341 or [email protected]
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BIO RITMO RETURNS TO SALSA ROOTS WITH EPONYMOUS CD

Long-Awaited Followup to Acclaimed Mercury album Brings Virginia's Exultant Salsa Orchestra Full Circle

"Energizing and often downright flammable." - The Washington Post

RICHMOND, VA - BIO RITMO proudly emerges from a five-year recording hiatus this spring by returning to its traditional salsa roots on its eagerly awaited, fourth full-length release.

The self-titled collection of eight salsa originals both celebrates and documents the new commitment by Virginia's exultant Salsa orchestra to bring its music full circle as its incredible journey enters its 12th year in a direction best described as a jubilant rebirth. Responding to the to the Latin invasion that made American pop stars of Ricky Martin, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in recent years, BIO RITMO has gone back to embracing old-school Salsa, '70s style. No room for merengue here. Just Cuban-rooted Salsa with a New York-Puerto Rican flavor, all sung in Spanish.

Though the band found its greatest commercial success with its 1998 Mercury Records debut, Rumba Baby Rumba, BIO RITMO's new CD better recalls the salsa sound inherent in its two previous albums, Que Siga La Musica and Salsa Galactica. With Puerto Rican native Rei Alvarez fronting full horn and percussion sections, BIO RITMO now explodes with a purity that makes the critically acclaimed Richmond nine-piece more potent than ever.

"We've come full circle," says timbalero Giustino "Justin" Riccio. "We started as a simple salsa band, and as we got tighter we began to do more complicated things. It got a little out of control. Music doesn't have to be so complicated. Now we're playing our older style, but we've got better musicianship. We're better at it."

BIO RITMO has continued to pack concert dance floors throughout the Eastern U.S. with its undeniable groove. By applying their old-school-with-a-twist approach to conventional Salsa rhythms, BIO RITMO has developed a unique and infectious sound that the Washington Post says is "Energizing and often downright flammable," prompting audiences young and old to dance, dance, dance.

"It's a good thing the club doesn't have chairs," warned Creative Loafing, "because there'll be no sitting as this kinetic collective whips up a spicy concoction of ... Latino dance rhythms." Added Richmond.com: "The chik-chik percussion and rich vocal intonations might give the music a provincial Cuban soul, but the resonating brilliance and nimble sashay of horns and keyboard make BIO RITMO fiery ... salsa sophisticates."

BIO RITMO's universal appeal has attracted additional major press coverage from CNN, NPR, Spin, Harper's Bazaar, Mademoiselle and Mountain Stage, among others. Touring behind their new CD, BIO RITMO is bringing jazz and arts patrons, groovy jamband listeners and a large Latino contingent together under one roof in a wide range of venues, from rock clubs to theaters to large outdoor festivals.

GET SHAKIN' WITH BIO RITMO ...

April 24 Thursday Athens, GA Georgia Theater
April 25 Friday Mt. Pleasant, SC Village Tavern
April 26 Saturday Savannah, GA Sidewalk Arts Festival
May 2 Friday Durham, NC Montas Lounge
May 3 Saturday Richmond, VA Cinco De Mayo
May 16 Friday Richmond, VA Alley Katz - CD Release Party!
May 22 Thursday Augusta, GA Soulbar
May 25 Sunday Kill Devil Hills, NC Outer Banks Brewing Station
May 31 Saturday Boyce, VA Int'l Tunes & Taste Festival @ Blandy Farm
June 7 Saturday Norfolk, VA Norfolk Harborfest
June 14 Saturday Arlington, VA Iota
July 19 Saturday Floyd, VA Latin Festival at Pine Tavern
Aug. 2 Saturday Reston, VA Reston Concerts on the Town

MORE DATES TO COME ...

www.bioritmo.com / www.randexpr.com

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