Become a Believer

Related Content

• Sol Ruiz's album fundraiser at PAX February 10
  February 9, 2012
• Sol Ruiz's New Album Promises Postcolonial, Horny Cuban Blues
  January 30, 2012
• Sweat Records' Black Friday Garage Sale Promises Deep Discounts and No Stampedes
  November 22, 2011
• Overtown Via South Beach
  September 22, 2011
• Ten Best Music-Related Things to Do This Weekend Under $10
  October 14, 2011

More About

• Sol Ruiz
• Janis Joplin
• Celia Cruz
• Billie Holiday
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Songstress and Miami native Sol Ruiz seems to go by a lot of monikers--Neo Hippie Rain Maker of Cuban decent and flower child of Psychedelic Cuban Blues, just a few of them (though admittedly the most catchy). The later is probably the closest thing to pass for a description of an artist as easy to label as trying to catch wind in a bottle. The Cuban essence is there, son underlying her own music just as it does nearly all the music actually from her native country. But there's much, much more than homage to her heritage. There's jazz from the golden era of the genre, when throaty, smoky voiced sirens lit smokier still clubs afire with their seductive vocals. And the blues run rampant. Her bio says she channels Billie Holiday, Celia Cruz and Janis Joplin. Listen to her music and you become a believer, instantly converted to her gospel of classic sounds and varied styles presented with a new and unique twist.
Mon., Sept. 14, 2009