CMJ New Music Report
September 11, 2000

LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES
Arepa 3000: A Venezuelan Journey Into Space

The lounge-funk of Venezuela's premier party band, Los Amigos Invisibles, has served as the space-age bachelor pad music of choice for playboys in the know since the six-piece ensemble's 1998 debut, The New Sound Of The Venezuelan Gozadera, set down on American soil. These invisible friends have a penchant for sexual innuendo that would make Serge Gainsbourg blush and an equally irreverent sense of humor. On Arepa 3000, that's supported by a lethal combination of Esquivelian kitsch, Chic-esque groove lines and acid-jazz soul. Conceptually, Arepa 3000 envisions Venezuela's empanada-like fast-food staple as the prototype for the first Venezuelan space ship, a smirking commentary on the country's populist attitude as well as its Third World status. On this brilliant sophomore set, they make a beeline for the dancefloor with a collection that pushes their fusion of French house and tropical swing to the most satisfying end. Arepa 3000 is a full-on party record that's equal parts Zapp, Pérez Prado and Frankie Knuckles. Rhythms come to life in live instrumentals, creating a wild Venezuelan journey into space that's filled with more dirty thoughts than a Lil' Kim album and enough high-powered danceteric fusion to keep the club kids sweating 'til dawn. – Ron Hart