Rei Momo

Rei Momo, released in 1989, marks David Byrne's first proper solo studio album following the hiatus of Talking Heads. It represents a significant pivot from the digital, minimalist textures of 'Naked' toward a maximalist, analog exploration of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Caribbean rhythms. Recorded with an ensemble of over 30 Latin music legends, the album is a scholarly yet passionate survey of styles including Son, Bomba, and Charanga. Critics at the time, and retrospectively via AllMusic and The Guardian, have praised the album for its authenticity and Byrne's ability to integrate his 'alien' vocal delivery into such complex rhythmic environments without it feeling like tourism. The album is a cornerstone of the late-80s global pop movement, standing alongside Paul Simon's 'Graceland' but with a more aggressive focus on dancefloor mechanics and orchestral brass arrangements. It remains a definitive example of Byrne's career-long obsession with polyrhythm.