Once a happy-go-lucky party band coveted by dance party throwers for their uncanny ability to make every booty shake, Carne Cruda has matured with the experience of touring the world as the backup band for such diverse acts as Ms. Lauren Hill, Omar Sosa, Tito Puente Jr., John Santos, Quetzal, Susana Baca, Kepa Junkera, Rico Pabon, The Cuban Cowboys, Jesus Diaz, Dr. Loco, and Alex Cuba. Because of Carne Cruda’s status as well-respected professionals, they were able to call in all the hotshot guest artists they wanted. Cuban virtuoso free-jazz pianist Omar Sosa takes a hot Fender-Rhodes solo on the track “Chuleta,” a song about the deliciousness of fried pork-chops smothered in cheese, and Dandha da Hora from Brazilian funksters SambaDá sings the Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire,” with a Brazilian twist. Kevin Masaya Kmetz from prog-rock legends Estratashpere joins in with an inspired Japanese Shamisen solo over a ska-bachata tune called “Shark Attack!” and Marta Gonzales from East LA’s Chicano pioneers Quetzal chimes in on some coros with her distinctive vocal stylings.