POP MUSIC REVIEW : Cecilia Noel and Wild Clams: Pearl About to Be Discovered

For the last two years, Cecilia Noel has been playing every week at the Baked Potato in Studio City. In that time, the Peruvian singer, songwriter and dancer and her group the Wild Clams have evolved into a Latin funk powerhouse that’s more than ready for prime time--they were recently signed by Epic Records.

On Monday, before her usual full house, Noel improved on an act that was already nearly flawless a year ago. She describes her music as “urban psychedelic Latin funk”--with guitar solos closer to Hendrix than Metheny, and a brass section that reminds of big bands and Blood, Sweat & Tears--and it is arguably the most potent Latin sound to emerge from Los Angeles in years. No matter how funky the arrangements, Cuban percussionist Michito Sanchez brilliantly makes sure the clave --the two-bar phrase that constitutes the backbone of Afro-Cuban rhythms--is present at all times.

A fine singer, Noel at times simultaneously displays Celia Cruz’s improvisational skills and the power of a soul vocalist. If she can reproduce all of this in her upcoming debut album, we’ll be hearing some of the hottest Latin fusion of today.