PENYA

See link for full radio interview with PENYA members Angelica Lopez, Magnus Mehta and Jimmy le Messurier - Latinos in London Radio

PENYA highlights the beginning of 2011 as one of the leading bands in the London Latin scene

Penya is the new sound of latin music from london, a remarkable fusion style of percussion and flutes and violin. From a romantic bolero to heat the floor with salsa music well harmonized by the sweet voice of Angelica with the help of magic musicians"

(see link for full article in Spanish) - Aculco Radio

.........Aqui for me is the stand out track of this EP by a country mile, that is not to say that the two other songs “Eres Indescriptible” and “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” are not good, in fact they are very good.

Eres Indescriptible (You are Indescribable) a Cuban Style Bolero with enchanting melodies and counter melodies, a really nice swerve ball in what seems to be a waning art from, a style that has been and still is hugely popular either in its Spanish or Cuban form.

Softly as in a Morning Sunrise (Suave, Como la Madrugada) is a great little re-invention of a track as it mixes two styles, wait for the bridge where it drops hard, urging you to get up and dance, and from then onwards you will not stop. There a few versions of this song by various artists and no doubt I have not heard them all but so far this really is an impresive version and very original one at that. A great cover.

As I mentioned earlier Aqui is, in my humble opinion the best track on this EP. Charanga is what they quite clearly have pumping through their veins everything about this track is great, from start to finish it does what it is meant to do which is that it makes you want to dance for your life. Like all classic Cuban numbers the intro is all about setting you up for the inevitable fall into a Montuno/Descarga style jam where you try and lose yourself with your partner into passionate intricate mutual groove. In other words just go for it.

This song really does show case Angelica Lopez’s vocal talents and to maximum effect, allowing her to let her hair down. Wait for the drop around 1:30 and it takes you through a journey of backing vocals, Flute and Violin Solo’s which really do help make this track a real floor filler.
Overall a great EP, I imagine that Penya will be even better live and we will look forward to checking them out in the near future. Penya has real potential, with a Fantastic line up of musicians who really know their indivdiual craft.

Also the Sound Production on this EP is spot on. I have had it cranked up on my sound system, and when it drops you know all about it. - Latino Music UK

The releases opener “Aqui” is cracking Charanga Moderna – Penya could do a whole set of stuff like this and easily be the best Charanga band in Europe!

The Violin (Sonia Slany) nails it as does the Flute (Rowland Sutherland) and the Percussion section (Jimmy le Messurier and Magnus Mehta) have Cuban Songo down perfectly.

Angelica Lopez has a great voice – sweet in a ballad but her inspiraciones are powerful.
The track starts quite light, the montuno sections take off and then it is a monster!

“Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” has a very kicking New York style contemporary Latin Jazz flavour. Great intro and montuno section plus fanatstic improvisation and arrangement. Angelica Lopez's vocals are funky and gritty. It rocks!

“Eres Indescriptible” is a lovely bolero. I can't fault it. Angelica's voice is perfect, the arrangement is lovely, sweet lyrics, sweet coro, all works really nice.
No one really plays or records boleros anymore - I bet Marc Anthony would love this.
“Eres” shows PENYA has the ability to play the real Latino music of Bolero - so hard to pull off these days, but 40-50 years ago, loved worldwide by latinos and non-latinos (Nat King Cole, Matt Monroe etc) and adored by millions.

“Broken Hearted Girl” is a very clever cover of a Beyonce tune and shows that Penya have potential for the latin pop market - the intelligent end, not the cheesey end. I could easily see this track on a Shakira or maybe J.Lo album.....modern latin pop.

Overall, I think that Penya's debut EP is well written (originals) with very good arrangements, nice production, and very well performed.

Lubi Jovanovic - Latin/Salsa DJ, journalist, and promoter - Lubi Jovanovic