MAD JUANA (US)
Bruja On  The corner

Aahhh this is one hell of a record!  From the very first note on this album takes you on journey far away from here, to a place ruled by vodka, gypsies and melodic punkrock slash folk music.  The music sounds like the pogues and Mano Negra in a big orgy and that’s no exaggeration at all.  Add to that a little Django Reinhart & some Jacques Brel, mix it with Andy Warhol and you might have an idea what I’m talking about.
Fronted by nobody else then ex-Hanoi Rocks bassist Sami Yaffa (he’s currently full time bassist with the New York dolls) and sultry chanteuse Karmen Guy, Mad Juana combines Jazz & Flamenco with bohemian influences, blues and punk.

Starting to point out the highlights of this album is silly and impossible, because there are only highlights on this album. For about 40 minutes the band rocks and swings like nothing I’ve heard before and throw in the same bewilderment as sixteen horsepower did years ago when hearing them for the very first time.  Musically Mad Juana is miles away from 16HP, but the originality and the list of unlikely influences are reminiscent.

Live these guys must be one big party and on record they are pretty much the same. The music is never boring not even after a couple of spins and is always joyful and coquettish. Full of humour this band take an unique approach on the styles and mix it with just enough punk attitude to be sure that they aren’t taken to seriously.  Songs like “Vahalla”, “Heloise” or “Strangers in Paradise” are only a few of the titles on the album that are worth your attention but to get the complete picture you must acquire the full album! Do it know cause you simply won’t regret it.

Mr Blue Boogie