AMG Review of Night on Earth

Alex Henderson
All Music Guide

If Elvis Costello's Attractions or the Clash were primarily into world music, perhaps they would sound something like Brave Combo -- an unorthodox and quirky quartet that combines touches of new wave-ish rock with a variety of Latin styles. These guys are hardly purists, and therein lies the thing that makes A Night on Earth so much fun. Showing an adventurous spirit, Bravo Combo are consistently unpredictable and draw on everything from Afro-Cuban salsa to Mexican ranchero/polka to Brazilian choro. On the well-known tango "Jealousy," Combo rejects the suit-and-tie sophistication that characterizes much Argentinean music in favor of a tougher, harder-edged approach. And on "Italian Melody #1," they successfully take a Tex-Mex approach to traditional Italian songs.