De Vuelta Al Barrio

Amazon.com
Dominican singer-percussionist Chichi Peralta makes De Vuelta al Barrio an international affair. Recorded in the Dominican Republic and England and partially mixed in the U.S., this album also reflects an understanding of world rhythms that allows Peralta to mix and match effortlessly and convincingly. De Vuelta is most successful when Peralta takes the biggest chances: "El Beso de Judas" is a four-minute meld of psychedelic guitar effects, Brazilian percussion, sitar, and droning chant that would bring a smile to Os Mutantes' faces, while "Baila Venga Chichi" is handily and intensely rapped. A few tracks get bogged down in lite-radio clichés, but moments like the child's giggles at the end of "Hasta Que Lo Pierde" underscore the record's status as an intriguingly personal addition to the Latin-pop canon. --Rickey Wright

Tracks:

Servicios Publicos
Desengano
De Vuelta Al Barrio
Amor
Sin Cortinas
Con Solo Un Beso
Hasta Que Lo Pierde
El Beso De Judas
Baila Venga Chichi
Fuego De Amor
Mensaje Campesino
Soledad
Sin No Te Veo
Arreame Lo Bueye
La Morena
Debajo Del Agua

Amazon.com

Dominican singer-percussionist Chichi Peralta makes De Vuelta al Barrio an international affair. Recorded in the Dominican Republic and England and partially mixed in the U.S., this album also reflects an understanding of world rhythms that allows Peralta to mix and match effortlessly and convincingly. De Vuelta is most successful when Peralta takes the biggest chances: "El Beso de Judas" is a four-minute meld of psychedelic guitar effects, Brazilian percussion, sitar, and droning chant that would bring a smile to Os Mutantes' faces, while "Baila Venga Chichi" is handily and intensely rapped. A few tracks get bogged down in lite-radio clichés, but moments like the child's giggles at the end of "Hasta Que Lo Pierde" underscore the record's status as an intriguingly personal addition to the Latin-pop canon. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Es de el Barrio.......2005-09-08

I bought this cd because it came up under "guaguanco". I assure you it is not even close. Its more along the lines of Latin pop and its not even good music to boot. I hope his other albums are better b/c this one is a flop! If you've never heard of Chichi Peralta, don't even worry about it!

Sin Cortinas.......2001-01-18

I have had the pleasure of listening to both of ChiChi's cds and I love them both. This one, however, has reached deep into my soul. The distinctive rhythms and sounds displayed in his music clearly show what an artist he really is.

Thank you ChiChi.

The difficult second album!.......2000-08-06

3 and a half stars if that rating were possible. This is mostly a very good CD, well worth a listen, and it grows on you too.

My initial reaction, comparing it to "Pa' Otro La'o", was slight disappointment, but I think it has to be recognised that that CD was something very special indeed and would be hard to emulate (anybody starting with Chichi Peralta should buy that one rather than this).

His arrangements are always exciting and inventive, and really shine on many tracks with surprises around every corner. Occasionally,things become a bit cluttered, and I found the American light soully feel of some of the singing watered down some of the Latin spirit.

Certainly, Jandy Feliz (singer and songwriter on the first CD) is missed, both for his distinctive voice and his more melodic, catchy songwriting - he and Chichi combined made an unbeatable team, but there is still some great music on here.

Chichi Peralta is one of the most talented, creative Latin musicians around and maintains his high standard here, while perhaps not quite matching the heights of his brilliant first CD.

His new CD is a suave blend of his many musical influences........2000-07-28

His unique style of blending bachata, merengue and salsa is what makes his music exciting and like no other. His talent and inovation make his music memorable and a pleasure to listen to. He is good!

Disappointing, with a reason.......2000-07-17

After the sheer enjoyment I got of his previous work, "Pa' Otro La'o", I had high hopes for this album. Alas, those hopes are mashed; most tracks are muddled and uninspiring, with a few interesting flashes here and there that hardly justifiy the purchase. More noticeably, not a single track has the "pull you to the dance floor" feel that was almost everywhere in the previous debut. This "fuson" stuff is for the birds.

Turns out this shouldn't be surprising; the creator of key anchor tracks in the previous effort ("Amor Narcotico", "Pa' Otro La'o", "Un Dia Mas", "Procura", and "Limon con Sal", fully half of the record and almost every hit), Jandy Feliz, who was also the vocalist, is no longer with the group, reportedly because of differences with Peralta over getting greater credit for hiswork. And it shows.

Boy, does it show. The album is a pale shadow of the debut. Save your money and spend it on "Pa' Otro La'o" instead.

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