Vasos Vacíos cover

Vasos Vacíos

Released

This Argentinian ska-punk-Latin-funk band’s biggest hit, “Matador,” was one of the few new tracks on this 1993 album, which mostly consisted of tracks from their six previous full-lengths, some re-recorded or remixed. But “Matador,” with its thunderous samba-inspired drums, punchy horns, and football-stadium chants, as well as its lyrics decrying the suppression of dissent by military dictatorships in Argentina and Chile, is a cri de coeur disguised as a fist-pumping anthem. “Quinto Centenario,” the other new song, blends twitchy ska with an interpolation of “America,” from West Side Story, then launches into a hardcore punk sprint. Meanwhile, older songs like “El Satánico Dr. Cadillac,” “Vasos Vacíos” (featuring guest vocals from salsa legend Celia Cruz), and their cover of “Revolution Rock” (a cover of a reggae song by Danny Ray that the Clash also covered, on London Calling) throw elements of funk and even Hawaiian guitar into the mix.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
Ama-Zonas cover

Ama-Zonas

Colectivo Jaguar, Doctor Krápula
Only a Woman cover

Only a Woman

Judy Mowatt
Dangerous Dub cover

Dangerous Dub

King Tubby, Roots Radics
Blue Eyed Black Boy cover

Blue Eyed Black Boy

Balkan Beat Box
Cool Ruler cover

Cool Ruler

Gregory Isaacs
El  Circo cover

El Circo

Maldita Vecindad y Los Hijos del Quinto Patio