The brainchild of acclaimed producer Andres Levin, New York’s Latin-funk collective Yerba Buena came together as an outgrowth of Levin’s extensive discography. Intense critical praise was just as instant and far-reaching with Yerba Buena’s 2003 Grammy nominated debut album President Alien. The group’s super-infectious live-band party feel totally changed everyone’s idea of new Latin groove with a mind-bendingly original, Afro-Cuban/Afrobeat/hiphop attack.

Even with all the high praise for the first album’s innovative sound, Levin and group cofounder Ilena Padron (aka CuCu Diamnates) were not satisfied with playing it safe and serving up more of the same. With its 13 contagious new tracks, Yerba Buena’s new concept album Island Life is an ambitious urban-tropical synthesis that won’t let you stop dancing. "I always want the Yerba Buena sound to be evolving," said Levin, a/k/a Dre taking a break from the mixing board at his "Fun Machine" studio. "Yerba Buena will always be about Afro-Cuban roots, but this record has more gypsy and cumbia influences – sounds I’ve heard around the world and that I’m now hearing across New York as well. I think the confluence of different immigrant music in New York is a great avenue for pop culture to explore."

Since Yerba Buena has always channeled the spirit of tropical island rhythms with the energy of New York, it’s fitting that the new album is titled Island Life. "I always thought it was funny when I would hear people in New York say that they need to ‘get away to an island’ – forgetting that they were already living on one," explains Levin. "With Manhattan’s growing Spanglish soul, the island music is right here on our own streets – whether it’s merengue, reggaeton or even steel drums. Island Life is a state of mind.

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