Luisito La Diferencia

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 2002 by Gilbert Rivera

(LFFR)

La Diferencia (The Difference) from 13-year-old Philadelphia native Luisito Figueroa-Roig, initiates the musical career of this young bilingual salsa singer. Of Puerto Rican heritage, Luisito started singing at age four at school and special community activities. In 2000, he was awarded the "Celia Cruz Award of the NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase 2000 Competition," as well as an award by the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania for his vocal talents and for being an ambassador of Spanish culture to the Greater Delaware Valley. By his 12th birthday, he was the lead vocalist of his own 12-piece salsa band in his abovementioned hometown. Figueroa is a student of Girad Academy music Program (GAMP) of Philadelphia, a school for gifted young musicians. His goals are to eventually become a lawyer and serve his community's needs, as well as to continue to spread positive messages through his music to young people everywhere. This debut recording includes eight selections that showcase the contemporary Latin and bilingual salsa vocal talents of this young man. Arrangement credits go to Willie Ruiz and Pablo "Chino" Nuñez, the latter of whom also functions as musical director and plays all the piano, bass and percussion tracks. Favorite tracks include the Spanish-language compositions Nenita Linda, Borinquen, and Gracias a Dios, and the English-language track Show Me the Meaning. (GR)