CD REVIEW: Las Rubias create pop gems with Latin flair

By Diana Nollen

Two classically trained blonds from Brooklyn sound right at home wrapping their crystalline vocals around peppy, poppy Latin beats.

Emily Hurst and Allyssa Lamb are Las Rubias del Norte (The Blondes of the North), who can bust a bossa nova and otherwise stir up a spicy world stew with elements of Bollywood, Hawaiian luaus and gypsy seductions planted with a big French kiss.

The duo's third disc, “Ziguala,” is as refreshing as a summer breeze. Most of the dozen cuts would provide a kicky backdrop to Gidget's beach parties or any samba in the sand. The music isn't fluff, however. It has plenty of heart and sophistication, with an underlying innocence that makes you want to get your groove on.

You can do just that when they make their Iowa debut at 8 p.m. Friday (4/2/10) with a CD release party at CSPS in Cedar Rapids.

The opening cut, “Porque te Vas,” heralds the siren song of the duo's light, lilting voices. A swingy beat from an ensemble of instruments exotic and retro buoys the sound, with an underlying drone of Hammond organ and bright percussion mallet bops evoking that '70s gem, “Popcorn.”

The title track is actually a Greek song given a Latin twist, as are all the cross-cultural folk tunes in the collection.

“Mana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin” transports listeners to India on the wings of great strings and rapid-fire lyrics that remain very lyrical. The women's voices blend so beautifully that when they sing in unison, they have the striking sameness of siblings, not generally found in unrelated singers.

The duo's classical roots add a continental flair, with the dreamy “J'attends un Navire” from a French opera by German composer Kurt Weill. The mood turns somber shortly thereafter with “Crucifijo de Piedra,” followed closely by the mysterious, hypnotic “Scalinatella” and the delightfully seductive “Segudille” from Bizet's opera, “Carmen.”

Wherever in the world Las Rubias travels, you'll want to go along. Viva la fiesta.

FAST TAKEInformation: www.legionarts.org/music/Rubias.htm or www.lasrubiasdelnorte.com

Title: “Ziguala”

Artist: Las Rubias del Norte

Label: Barbes Records

Performance: CD release party and Iowa debut, 8 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2010, at CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Tickets: $14 in advance at www.midwestix.com or $18 at the door