Mango Punch! mixes flavors on new disc

    Mango Punch! is mixing up the flavors — estilo internacional — on its new disc, Una casita blanca. Una casita blanca: New album from Mango Punch!

    The veteran Houston group, led by Guatemala-born Walter Suhr, has established itself with a festive mix of Latin-pop and tropical rhythms. Una casita blanca (A little white house) takes that sturdy framework and builds on it, incorporating merengue, vallenato and swoon-worthy love songs.

    Suhr has already taken Mango Punch! to impressive heights in its 15-year history. The group has recorded original tunes for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, the Houston Texans and performed at the 2004 Super Bowl pre-game show at Reliant Arena. That’s a far cry from humble beginnings at local Steak & Ale restaurants. (Remember those?)

    The new disc, No. 5 in the Punch! repertoire, should afford the six-member band more opportunities in Texas and beyond. Suhr is a versatile, charismatic singer and sounds at ease on most variations of his trademark sound. He nails the romantic vibe and vallenato rhythms of the title track, which boasts drums by JJ Friere, drummer for defunct Latin-pop group Bacilos.

    Suhr is also appropriately vulnerable during touching disc closer Unica. (“Magical and nothing typical/Girl, you are superb/You have opinions and conviction.”) It’s a lovely, understated display of emotion.

    Zapatos is a salsafied ode to shoes (and the women obsessed with them), and Dar y Dar pairs flamenco guitars with sweltering percussion. Think a more interesting spin on the Gipsy Kings.

    The rock-infused groove of Vete wouldn’t sound out of place on a Juanes album, and Suhr also gives the song an accessible, pop sensibility. There’s even some heartthrob sizzle during Bésame, whose bilingual lyrics recall the pop hits of Enrique Iglesias.

    Fijese rides a rapid-fire merengue-rock groove, aided by longtime Santana keyboardist Tom Coster. It’s a confident, creative standout. Just Do It is an English-language salsa that mines an up-with-people earnestness.

    Ultimately, Suhr’s biggest feat is taking so many sounds and styles but not coming across like a mere copycat. He stamps each song with his signature, making for a warm, welcoming casita.

    Listen to Una casita blanca on Radio 29-95 2 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday.

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