Rene Lopez
Let’s be Strangers Again
Just 5 tracks on this little EP, but you’ll wear down your samba shoes spinning it over and over. Lopez earned his chops on trumpet with Tipca 73, and he’s infused with the rhythm and soul of all good Cuban musicians. These tracks are all way to short, there’s only 20 minutes of material here but that’s enough to make you pound the tablet and demand “More!” “Don’t You Change Your Heart” could come from Ricky Martin if he had enough additional energy, then Lopez slows down to the dusky slow dance “Midnight Love.” It must be love because when the sun comes up is your turn to be all friendly with her dad; in “Hey Papa” he might still negotiate something with her old man. But it’s not just sweat and love with Lopez; he puts together some nice storytelling along with the sharp tunes and party atmosphere. Not bad for a bunch of Cuban guys freezing up in NYC.
