RIO 2 - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2014)

It’s a party indeed, having Fantine (Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables), Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network), Electro (Jaime Foxx, The Amazing Spider-man 2) and Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia, Ocean’s Eleven) coming together to sing in one movie.

And charming his way to the top of the list is, hold your breath – Bruno Mars as a suave Spix’s macaw. The singer songwriter, record producer, and now voice actor performs only one track in this soundtrack of the sequel to the 2011 movie. You can almost imagine the Hawaiiborn musician crooning his way to his fans’ hearts in “Welcome Back”, an all too brief 69 second song on the CD.

Elsewhere, we loved “Beautiful Creatures”, a swagger worthy tune performed by musical ensemble Barbatuques, Puerto Rican actress singer Rita Moreno (one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony) and Garcia performing a mean beat box. Other upbeat tracks include “O Vida” performed by Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown and Nina De Freitas, “Batucada Familia” performed by the ensemble cast (listen out for Garcia’s beat box performance again!) and “Bola Vivia”, the musical number set against the wonderfully choreographed sky soccer match scene in the movie.  

The amusing tracks come in the form of “Poisonous Love” and “I Will Survive” sung by Kristin Chenoweth and Jemaine Clement, the unlikely couple in the movie. Trust Hathaway to deliver the emotional goods in “Don’t Go Away”, a heartfelt tune performed with Flavia Maia, featuring Uakti.

The single “What is Love?”  is also a booty licious composition performed by R & B and soul musician Janelle Monae, Also included is the cast version featuring vocals by Eisenberg and Foxx.

The 39 minute soundtrack boasts of an addictive compilation of songs that will have you spinning the CD on repeat mode. The only thing you’d need are some good dance moves to swing along. 

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (11) Bola Viva – Carlinhos Brown

Review by John Li