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By Benjamin Ortiz, Special to the Tribune
Section: Arts & Entertainment
Date: April 6, 2008


“Greatest Hits,” Todos Tus Muertos (Nacional Records)
Argentina’s Todos Tus Muertos started in 1985 and like many Latin American bands blended ska and reggae into a rasta-punk ethos, but with a political edge and hard-rock sound that prefigured later developments both stateside and abroad. Their “Greatest Hits” kicks off with “Andate,” a deceptively feel-good groove that breaks into a furious dance-hall rap and then shifts just as quickly into tickling Spanish reggae hooks, like Latin changeling Manu Chao, but with signature punk élan jerking between mellow and maniacal. “Mate” likewise drills a funk-bass intro setting up a metallic refrain to rival Rage Against the Machine or Molotov with punchy punk-MC delivery. Raga interludes are followed by funk-rap, plus some very savory straight-ahead reggae.
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“Latin Bitman,” DJ Bitman (Nacional Records)
From Santiago, Chile, DJ Bitman (a.k.a. Jose Antonio Bravo) follows up his stateside debut with a sophomore release of Latin electronica. The journey kicks off with a French flight attendant readying listeners for takeoff, listing such sonic destinations as Latin jazz, break-beat and bossa nova. After a bit of geeky audio fumbling, piano funk breaks out with turntablist touches, followed by Bitman’s vocal samplings decontextualized from South American sources in a gleeful romp. Bitman aims for a global jet-set clique, like Mexican duo Plastilina Mosh, but this set announces itself just a bit too much as having “gone Latin.” The trip is nevertheless savory, especially on such samba-inspired tracks as “Tropilove” and “El Diablo.”

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