Las Rubias del Norte Issue #27

Panamericana (Barbes)

By Marisa Torrieri
Published: March 1st, 2006 | 12:00am

They call themselves Las Rubias del Norte (the blondes of the north), but their sound is anything but gringo. The eight-piece from Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood is quickly drawing national attention for their elegant and thoughtful interpretations of traditional Latin American classics. Led by two classically trained (but not blonde) American sirens, Las Rubias replicate the sounds and rhythms of Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, and even France. What makes Las Rubias’ approach interesting is their use of oft-ignored instruments, including the glockenspiel, cha-chas, accordion, and the Venezuelan Cuatro.

Listening to Panamericana, the band’s second full-length album, is an ecstatic experience. The lush harmonies of co-vocalists Allyssa Lamb and Emily Hurst are nothing less than ethereal. But what’s missing is the lack of musical juxtaposition between the festive celebration tunes and the melancholy love lamentations of their first album, Rumba Internationale. Not that Panamericana can’t stand on its own. From “Soledad” to “Noche De Ronda,” this 13-song collection takes listeners through a lovely set of melodies — connecting cultures the same way roads connect places.