Latin American music with Midwestern vibes can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but it’s unlikely that Los Chechos incorporates polka music into its wide-ranging repertoire. Band leader Alejandro Punbra, who joined 8 O’Clock Buzz host Tony Casteñeda, explains that it includes reggae, ska, cumbia and rock and a fair amount of improvisation. Punbra hails from Ecuador but impresses those of us impressed by polyglots by singing in Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, and Quechua. For that, we’ll forgive the absence of a polka. You can hear this energetic group’s new album Sunday, April 14 at Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge from 8-10.
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