Remo’s Muchacha Latina

It has been a while since one last heard Remo Fernandes come up with an album of his own. And now after a hiatus, he returns with ‘Muchacha Latina’ which prominently promises a Goan theme hence bringing music to the place which is Remo’s hometown. For the album, he composes and writes as well apart from singing. Shyam Banerjee writes the Hindi lyrics for ‘Muchacha Latina’, ‘Mumbai City’ and ‘Aaiye’.

As expected, there is a Latino beginning to the album with the advent of the title song ‘Muchacha Latina’. A spirited Hindi number by Remo where he appreciates the beauty of a Latino girl and takes you all the way to a beach, it is thematic as per the location where the song is set. With an array of musical instruments creating a quintessential Goan feel to the proceedings, ‘Muchacha Latina’ is a fun number to be played along while having a quiet beer and lying on a beach!

There is an Indian classical beginning to ‘The Music Teacher’ which turns western after around a minute. As the music progresses, one realizes that it is more of an instrumental theme piece rather than a song. Picking up on pace, it is a kind of track that could be put on a high volume in a night club and let loose. Once on, you could choose to sway to the music or just close your eyes and dream in a hallucinated state.

The instrumental which follows next is ‘Flute Kick remix’ which is nothing but the legendary flute tune that you would certainly not missed if you have been visiting night clubs and discotheques for around half a decade at the least. As detailed by Remo, the original live version of the song became popular without a video, without airplay and without any promotion whatsoever. Later it was picked up by DJs in clubs around India and later abroad too! And now he too comes up with a remix version of the same which rocks for sure.

In the same mould continues ‘Aaiye’ which is yet again theme piece with Remo just crooning ‘Aaiye’ at a distance in his characteristic manner. A fast paced western instrumental that carries on the mood of ‘The Music Teacher’ and ‘Flute Kick remix’, ‘Aaiye’ is a kind of track that would be immediately recognized by Remo fans and makes one wonder the reason behind the album not being promoted at all. A good number to keep your spirit on a high.

Remember the flute tune that was heard just recently in ‘Ada’ [Garam Masala]. Now one realizes that the source for that was the opening theme music of ‘Mumbai City’ since the original titled ‘Bombay City’ was first released way back in 1986. After ‘Muchacha Latina’, this is the second number in the album that has Remo crooning to come lyrics. The song only carries forward the overall style of the album as the song arrives yet again after a couple of decades with some changed lyrics and pepped up arrangements.

Good music continues to be offered, this time in the form of ‘Shambo Arambol’ which is based on the Arambol beach in North Goa. With just two words ‘Shambo Arambol’ in the number, this song is set on a water lagoon which is just a few feet away from the sea. As per Remo, this beautiful number which has been set in a rhythmic manner with melody as the undercurrent force was written after a jam with the global vagabond musicians in Arambol village. A new sound that excites!

An English poem written by Frank Simoes, ‘A Hawk Defies’ is a pop track rendered by Remo that moves on a moderate pace even as a music lover gets to hear a melodious number set in a western mode. After all the rhythm and dance pieces, ‘A Hawk Defies’ comes as a good relaxation track which only makes you smile along and look for that bonfire to sit around!

Fun continues with the arrival of ‘Rainy Afternoon’ which is as sensual and intimate as it gets when it comes to romance. Moderately paced, it is one of your sitting-by-your-window-watching-the-rain-pour-all-Sunday kind of a song, as rightly stated by Remo.

One fails to understand why this entertaining album by Remo is not being publicized at all. The album deserves to reach out to its target audience which is urban club/pub/disc hopping crowds and the need of the situation is to promote it aggressively.

You would be missing out on a new sound if you don’t pick this one up!

Rating - 3.5/5

Here’s a video from the album ….. Remo singing Muchacha Latina Live at Panaji

Article courtesy : indiaglitz.com