Si*Sé Reviewed

Si*Sé

(Luaka Bop)

Whether scouting exotic locales for world-class musical talent (Césaria Évora, Susana Baca, Waldemar Bastos), or beating the bushes closer to home for radio-friendly eccentrics (Jim White, Geggy Tah, King Chango), David Bryne's Luaka Bop label skanks to its own universal beat (Cornershop, Zap Mama, Bloque). Same goes for Si*Sé. The NYC crew, anchored by songwriters Carol Cárdenas at the mike and DJ/programmer Cliff Cristafaro, and fleshed out by a pair of viola-ettes and a skin-tight rhythm section, boot up like a Latin hard drive. Think Hooverphonic with an adult contemporary electronic warmth -- bells and whistles for baby boomers, not ravers. Certainly, the sensual slink of opener "Slip Away" belongs on your favorite AAA radio station. With its steady maraca hip-sway, and sad viola staying just ahead of the song's confident hip-hop swagger, "Slip Away" screams hit. When Cárdenas implores the killer chorus ("Don't get in the way, don't get in the way, don't let… it… get… in the way") like a grownup version of Fiona Apple doing her best Edie Brickell, there's little doubt how the song would play in the stereo. Like gold; five years ago, "Slip Away" would've been a smash for Poe. It alone sells this debut, but PD's fear not, there's a follow-up in the next tune, a dreamy take of Oran "Juice" Jones classic, "The Rain (Where Do I Begin)." Percolating percussion and a bassline that's pure drive time score big points. Unfortunately, those are the standouts among a number of glittery-eyed instrumentals and pulse-quickening drum 'n' bass-lite numbers, but the staccato, Breakbeat Era-esque "Dolemite" and Euro-cafe neon of "Aire" fill in nicely. Best of all, Cárdenas' Spanish hooks ("Cuando") are just as good as her English ones. Say sí to Si*Sé. (Si*Se opens for David Byrne at the Backyard, Tuesday, Aug. 14.)