But there's also a behind-the-scenes star on Fiesta Songs doing more than might be initially evident. It's the mysterious Señor Coconut, the alter-ego of prolific German electronic music producer Uwe Schmidt. He has recorded under dozens of aliases, with varying styles to match, most popularly as Lassigue Bendthaus in the early industrial music era and Atom Heart in the more recent ambient age [he now goes by Atom(tm)].
The Señor Coconut project, however, is Schmidt's most substantial experience to date in working with a group of musicians. He avoids making cringeworthy choices at every turn, from selecting the right song to choosing an appropriate style for covers. He reins in the eight-person orchestra (most of whom are European) with a masterstroke of his Macintosh G4, mixing subtle electronic noises and effects into the framework. The producer also wrote three original compositions for Fiesta Songs ("El Rey de las Galletas," "Las Maracas de Machin," "Electrolatino"); they seamlessly blend in with the other selections, neatly showcasing his overall songwriting skills.
Fiesta Songs is the rare selection that will liven up any holiday party, from the most mainstream to the more irreverent and edgy. Though it's a fun novelty affair, paying attention to its minute details will reveal a quiet subversive quality as a musical chameleon displays his most brilliant colors.
