Beat mail

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 2003

Les escribo dedo Nueva York, saludándolos y felicitándolos por su fabulosa revista, mi nombre es Eric Guerini López y les escribo para ver si es posible que publiquen alguna entrevista o artículo sobre el talentoso músico puertorriqueño Mario Hernández, fabuloso tresista y director del Sexteto Borinquen y del Conjunto Los Diablas del Caribe. Además, actuó come artista invitado en un sinnúmero de grabaciones de orquestas de salsa en Nueva York y Puerto Rico, acompañando tambien a grandes cantantes de nuestra querida música latina y afrocubana, Teniendo la suerte de que aún está con nosotros en Puerto Rice, serio interesante que se publicara algo sobre su vida y su legado a esta música, ya que al igual que Celia Cruz, como decimos, son una clase aparte.

Como anteriormente ustedes han publicado artículos sobre nuestros grandes músicos, como Arsenio Rodríguez, Machito, Rubén Bledos, Oscar D'León y Mario Bauzá, creo que sin lugar a duda, el Sr. Mario Hernández por su trayectoria merece este reconocimiento.

Eric Guerini López, Brooklyn, NY

Many thanks for your lovely tribute to nuestra querida Celia Cruz. Pasando al proximo tema: I feel a need to respond to a point in the letter from Barry Levine of California. He seems to me to be saying that you should not publish any item in Spanish because it is a magazine for people who read English, First, you print very few articles and letters in Spanish. Second, it is, in my opinion, a marvelous gesture of courtesy and respect to Spanish-speaking people who appreciate that Latin Beat is the best source of information on what is happening in the world of Latin music. The operative word here is "world." For example, I translate information from the magazine for my buddy, Frank Morales, founder/director of Orquesta Charanga Cubana de México, who does not read English. It meant a lot to him that you printed his letter last month in his own words, that is to say, in Spanish. Justas some people who only read Spanish make the effort to find translators in order to understand articles of interest to them in Latin Beat, people who only read English could make the same effort the ether way around with the relatively few items that appear in Spanish. That is, if they wish to. If not, fine. I have no wish to castigate Mr. Levine. He has every right to express his point of view. I just want to present another way of looking at the language issue. In any case, muchas gracias from a couple of guys south of the border in México.

Leonardo Rosen, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México

I'm ah avid reader of Latin Beat magazine and do enjoy your diverse articles on various Latinos and their music. However, I'm a big Willie Colón fan and would like to know if anyone from your staff is willing to interview Willie, and ask him about the bias and censorship that past and present musicians/artists have faced (radio, television, etc).

The Latin Grammys is a prime example of the bias and control of select artists who tend to compromise their music in order to promote their careers with record labels that monopolize the market. The sole creators of these special-interest awards willingly and knowingly cast out certain prominent individuals or groups for the purpose of backlash, This is a travesty that some of these people fail to give the proper respect and credit to someone such as Willie Colón, who is a true pioneer within the (salsa) music industry. The man is a legend and a musical genius, but yet he is never mentioned on these Latino music awards ... it's mindboggling to soy the least! I'm curious to know: Where's Willie's lifetime achievement award or any kind of recognition? It's simply a shame!! It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Kumbia Kings receive on award before Willie Colón (nothing against the Kumbia Kings), but it's the truth and it's very sad to say the least. We need better representation and honest people within the music industry who are willing to speak the truth. There are tea many lies and superficiality when it comes to these awards.

My point is we need someone who is going to step up to the plate and say, "hey, wait a minute. Why don't we honor people like Willie Colón, Rubén Blades, Frankie Ruiz, Héctor Lavoe, etc?" Instead, these producers are more interested in the promotion of their artists and their record labels. It would be refreshing to have Willie Colón on your cover with a good story ... I believe it's time! The man deserves the credit, since "the ethers" will net acknowledge his enormous talent for music on these Latino music awards shows. I know it's probably a political issue, but let's focus on his ability as a musician and give him his due, respect and props, it's long overdue!

Robert Rivera, Hollywood, CA