We review a lot of great world music here at Perceptive Travel, but I think the last time I've had so much fun hearing a new album was when I first checked out Mexican Institute of Sound. And before that, Nortec Collective. If you like those, you'll probably like this, but Systema Solar is mainly focused on one thing: to make sure you have a good time. Sure, the Spanish lyrics have a serious message at times, but really this is pure party music that will make you giggle and shake whether you speak the language or not. If it doesn't at least get you smiling and make your foot start tapping, go schedule a medical check-up.

This album starts out with a bang with "Bienvenidos" (Welcome) and almost never lets up. Most songs make use of thumping bass guitar beats, record scratching, crazy percussion samples, synthesizers, and vocals that sound like they're coming from a few guys rounded up at the local cantina. Toss in some whacked-out screeches a la Public Enemy and an occasional horn section and you've got the makings of an infectious block party.

Turns out that's how this group got its inspiration: from huge block parties on the Caribbean coast of Columbia, from a culture where the goal is to have the biggest speakers, the biggest sound, and the biggest crowds. Crank out the tunes, sing and rap over the top, and have a blast. This collective of DJs and producers isn't made up of great vocalists trying to impress you with their talent or virtuosity: they want to make you smile. Most songs have one primary vocalist singing like he's telling a joke, with a few backup vocalists providing the chorus. Some tracks are jams more than songs, stretching to seven minutes, but the sonic landscape changes enough to keep them interesting.

Things hit a lull for a bit in the middle on tracks 6 and 7 and the last track is just the guys in the group talking and joking. Otherwise though this is a great collection and it goes out with a bang with "Quien es el patron?" Imagine the rapper from Cypress Hill singing in Spanish with a Tijuana horn section behind him, a DJ scratching, and a call-and-response chorus. The publicity notes call this Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latin, but in the end this is the most original party music I've heard in a while.