Yerba Buena : Island Life

  Alain PErez RodrIguez - Piano, Vocals (Background), Ampeg Baby Bass
  Andy GonzAlez - Ampeg Baby Bass
  Antonio Cortez - Clapping
  Ben Peeler - Pedal Steel
  Brian Lynch - Trumpet
  Celia Cruz - Vocals
  Chino - Vocals
  Conrad Herwig - Trombone
  Cucu Diamantes - Vocals, Clapping
  Daria Delgado - Vocals (Background)
  Diego el Cigala - Vocals
  Don Divino - Vocals
  Edmar Castaneda - Harp, Maracas, Cuatro
  Eric Heywood - Pedal Steel
  Gilmar Gomes - Pandeiro
  Ile Aiye - Percussion
  Joe Bataan - Vocals
  John Leguizamo - Vocals
  Leo Nocentelli - Guitar (Electric)
  Les Nubians - Vocals
  Marcus Rojas - Tuba
  Mario Mosquera Chano - Accordion
  Michel Vega - Vocals, Vocals (Background), Snaps
  Neel Murgai - Sitar, Tamboura
  Pamelia Kurstin - Theremin
  Pedro Martinez - Percussion, Drums, Vocals
  Pirana - Pandeiro, Clapping
  Rashawn Ross - Trumpet, Vocals
  Ricky Quinones - Vocals (Background)
  Ron Blake - Sax (Baritone), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Vocals
  Rossy DePalma - Spoken Word
  Smokey Hormel - Guitar (Electric)
  Steve Barber - Farfisa Organ
  Terreon Gully - Drums, Vocals
  Tom Chess - Ney
  Toni Garcia - Vocals (Background)
  Xiomara Laugart - Vocals
  Yosvany Terry - Sax (Alto)

Yerba Buena let their Deee-Lite out and come to terms with their inner Kid Creole & the Coconuts on their spicy, sparkling, and entirely weekend sophomore release, Island Life. The album is one Saturday short of their stunning debut, but there are more quirky and smart touches and the highlights are extra spicy. The collective blend together a wealth of Latin styles like they did on their debut, but this time hip-hop is favored over house when it comes to outside influences. That M1 from Dead Prez has to adapt his style to the band rather than vice-versa is an interesting and different way to handle the usual hip-hop guest appearance, and minus the reggaeton remix of 'Sugar Daddy' snuck on the end of the CD, the album favors organic over electronic. 'Sugar Daddy' works best in the club, but the rest of the salsa-meets-son-meets-whatever-they-feel-like album works just fine in the car, on the headphones, and anywhere else the party needs starting. Segues, skits, and sound effects are part of the picture, as are an assortment of guest artists that are obviously enjoying themselves. Few acts could handle John Leguizamo, Les Nubians, and Celia Cruz on the same album, yet Yerba Buena handle them all on a single track. According to Yerba themselves, Island Life, All Music Guide

Island Life sees the return of the Grammy-nominated Yerba Buena. An album filled with promise and a double sonic dose of Afro-Cuban grooves, fiery salsa incorporating the history of all latin music plus all-out funk, Island Life promises to become the coffee table album of 2005! Razor.