Orquesta Tabaco y Ron Te Lo Dije

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 2003 by Gilbert Rivera

(Dimelo Records)

Fun and more fun epitomizes this disc from the Los Angeles-based salsa band, Orquesta Tabaco y Ron in their best effort to data, providing a balanced lineup of original scores and classic compositions, al] tailor-made for salsa dancers. A total of twelve tracks reflect the musical maturity of this outfit through compelling interpretations of sones montunos, guaguancós, chachachás, plenas and guarachas, Led by pianist Héctor Manuel Rivera and featuring the vocal talents of Martín Padilla (both natives of Puerto Rico), Tabaco y Ron is molded in the salsa dura tradition of their island, inspired by the music of Sonora Ponceña, El Gran Combo and Roberto Roena's Apollo Sound, The band excels on the tracks of Te Lo Dije (both versions, the remix featuring rapper Mellow Man Ace) Mi Plena, Los Cueros De Tabaco y Ron, and Rumba-Capella (a tasty rumba a la Vocal Sampling). Kudos to César Espinoza for laying all the percussion tracks majestically and tastefully throughout the recording. Making this production even more appealing le the addition of a DVD in the package at no extra cast, featuring e music video by the band, a discography, interviews, and a photo gallery of the band members, plus e language option (Spanish/English).