I first heard Puerto Rica's Puya in 1999 as the very, very first band in that summer's long Ozzfest lineup. I think the poor guys played at something like 11 in the morning to a small and disinterested audience at the Atlanta show I attended, before an impressive roster of artists including Open Mike favorites System of a Down, Primus and Black Sabbath. The first thing I noticed when they took the stage: a horn section! Being a trombonist as well as a long time fan of both metal and 70's horn bands like Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears and Earth Wind & Fire, I was intrigued. Unfortunately, as is often the case at rock festivals, the sound was a disaster and I came away unimpressed. But luckily for me, my friend Jeff, who was at the show with me, picked up their debut album called Fundamental and I got a second chance to hear them.
If one was to stick them in a sub-genre box, it would probably have to be Nu metal, but to leave it at that isn't fair to them or to anyone considering giving them a listen. Sure they've got some of the hardcore and hip hop elements that are the hallmarks of the genre, but there's also some jazz guitar work, occasional prog chord progressions and phrasing surprises. And especially a ton of salsa, complete with congas, timbales, horn section and a deeply pocketed groove. Honestly, I've never heard anyone sound remotely like them, which is surprising because the sound works so well. Their first full-length album Fundamental is a joy to listen to, and I'm including here the title track, my favorite of a slew of strong offerings. If you like it, scroll a little further down to hear a live performance of a song from their 2001 follow-up album Union called "Sí Ajá" which, while missing the horn section, has a really enjoyable latin jazz break sandwiched between a crushing metal opening and recap to finish. And finally, because it's unexpected, a 1998 cover of The Police's "Spirits in the Material World"... in Spanish.
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