Ñann
LOS CHANGOS TRIO
Consolidated Artists Productions

Looking for exciting new sounds in Latin Music? There's more going on than what you hear on the radio. Based in New York City by way of Boston, Los Changos Trio, which backs up Colombian singer Marta Gomez, has a CD of their own that's worth a listen.
Guitarist-composer Julio A. Santillán strolls through a variety of Latin American styles with nimble bassist Fernando Huergo and versatile percussionist Franco Pinna.
The CD takes on the air of a quiet whirlwind tour, from the low-key tango of "Autorretrato" to the chacarera rhythms of "El Bobo" dedicated to flamenco guitarist Vicente Amigo. The carnavalito of "Big Dig" is as much about the never-ending Boston construction project. The song might be the only good thing to come out of that traffic-snarling debacle.
This is music that takes you to a quieter place than the wonderfully buoyant blasts of Afro-Cuban jazz orhcestras, and brings a mellow relief from the cloying odes to love that make up much of Spanish-language romantic pop.
With its stripped-down arrangements and balanced pacing, this can be the soundtrack to simplifying one's life. Wind down a hectic day with this one.

-Richard Antone, Courier Times