Greetings dearest readers and music lovers let’s welcome US artist Rick Gallego. Rick released a 12-song album on 20th September called “Cloud eleven goes Latin” Let’s talk more about this album

The title track is titled “Bongós y gritós”. The opening of this song makes you feel like you’re in a salsa dancing class. It is hard to not dance along to this beautiful song. The adlibs made it even more beautiful. This song reminds me of the cartoon Rio when Blu (the main character) learned to samba. If birds can dance the samba, you can too. Just like Blu, let the rhythm take over, you may not be a pro but you will dance. This song was a great song choice to open up the album

Next is the song “Something for Frida”. The opening of this song has very heavy influences. The song is bright and cheery. This song is a good song to take in on a romantic date with your partner because it’s irresistible and fun to enjoy. This is the kind of song you can’t listen to and get bored or not even attempt to move your body. I tried and this song broke me, I was up on my feet dancing like a pro and the song ended with a beautiful flourish

“Girl from Waikiki Beach”. Did somebody say beach??. Because that’s what I heard and noticed about this song right from the start. The instrumentation was so good and immersive that you can’t help but picture yourself at the beach on a sunny day, watching the waves come and go while you enjoy a cold drink. Real music is one that can transport you to any place you want to be and is the embodiment of this very song

“Si yo mambo” is the next song on the list. The intro is a little different but soon enough you will love the melody. This is yet another song that will make you want to be a mambo dancing just gliding on the dancefloor. Though it’s a foot-tapping song, it is still more than that, the Melodies are beautiful and so intricate that will delight you

“Yin Yang” is the next song. This song sounds Latin but I can also hear traces of oriental music influences that seem to be a nod to these people, their culture, and their music. The song is also very relaxing and will make you feel like you’re at a spa just taking in beauty treatments. To further enhance the use of this song, you can draw a bath for yourself, throw a couple of bath bombs in there, turn off the lights, light your candles, and viola! Just put this song on and you are in your very own spa

“Hawthorne Sunset” is the next song. The song has heavy Latin influences and they are just striking and so gorgeous to take in. This song will be good for meditation and for telling yourself to breathe. What a stunning song this song is

Next is “pussycat cha cha”. The opening of the song is really cool. The song has this 20’s vibes and jazz feel to it. It has a dark and exciting allure to it that will sweep you off your feet. Before you will be dancing and counting your steps ( one, two, cha cha cha) repeatedly and just have fun with it

The song that is up next is “Xochitl”. This song has such a heavenly vibe because of the incorporation of stringed instruments. The Latin flavor is still felt although this song is so beautiful and operatic that you will feel like you’re soaring above in the clouds with nothing in sight except you and the open breeze.

“Carnaval en Mazatlán” is the song that is up next. This song just takes me back to this animated film Rio again. Everything that I love about that movie is in this song. Latin Culture oozes out of this song. If you have never been to Carnival and wish to go but can’t, rest assured, this song will take you there. That is how exciting, colorful, and immersive this song is and I’m glad I was able to feel nostalgic and relive the favorite parts of the film which I once loved and even still love

“Mi casa en San Luis”. The opening of this song has synth vibes and sounds of xylophone. You really hear xylophone sounds in music so this was a special treat for my ears. The array of sounds used in this song makes it stand out from the crowd and it will captivate you with its magnetic charms

Next is a track called “Exotica Island”. The song opens with ocean waves crashing and exotic birds chirping and monkey sounds . The way this song presents this island to listeners is just so attractive that you would want to get a ticket to visit this amazing island and take in the sights and sounds this island has to offer. After listening to the song I said” One ticket to Exotic island please”, because I very much wanted to go there. But for now, like I did, just close your eyes and let the music take you to the island

“See ya trader alligator” is the last song on the album. This song has a very bright intro. The song is a play on the phrase “See you later alligator”. A funny goodbye that most dads use to crack jokes. Musically, this song is just the right song to get your head right before doing something you’re anxious about. It soothes your mind and your spirit. This song closed out the album in such a satisfying way

What a beautiful album. Not only were the songs amazing but we saw Rick reconnect his Latin side and celebrate his culture’s style of music. These songs spoke to me when not even a single lyric was sung. Rick has revealed a little more about himself in this album and this is something that fans will love because he truly left a mark and a piece of his soul into every single track

Steam the “Cloud Eleven Goes Latin” album on Spotify 

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