Latin Beat Music Update

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 1998 by Nelson Rodriguez

The Havana Flute Summit recorded in 1996 at the Egrem Studio in Havana highlighted the flute work of Orlando "Maraca" Valle, Jane Bunnett, Céline Vallé and Richard Egües. Special mention must be made of pianist Hilario Duran. The CD excels on Oscars Descarga, Maracas Tumbao, Expectation and Latin Jane.

What I enjoyed most of the Sergio Vargas/Gisselle CD, Juntos is how they each sing the other's hits. Loved Ni Tu Ni Yo, Lo Quiero A Morir and Corazón Encadenado.

Caiman Records is ready to release Son Boricua with Jimmy Sabater and José Mangual, Jr. This label is the one from New York formed in 1984 by Humberto Corredor and Sergio Bofill (the "S" in Sar). Son Boricua will be a throw back to the old school of salsa. A refreshing return. Caiman is also reissuing the Louie Ramírez y Su Orquesta with Ray De La Paz CD Mi Fruto.

Henry Rosario, cousin of Los Hermanos Rosario, is hot with his bachata CD of Manny Manuel hits.

Los Toros Band are scorching with the single Quizas Si, Quizas No.

Hechizo is back with a new CD Sin Limite, that is very impressive and much better than the debut. This new CD sounds very inspired and has a better swing. Junior Rodríguez and Luis Rosario are good vocalists.

Ismael Miranda and Andy Montañez team up for a third time on the release Con Amor De Niño. Another gem full of romantic tracks. More vocalists should join up to do such great recordings. Pay tribute to the "trio." Pete Terrace and his Orchestra's 1962 recording Baila La Pachanga illustrates the sound created to be different from charanga.

While Rey Ruiz is no longer with Sony Music, his style hasn't changed as you will be able to tell on his own label's (Luna Negra) debut Ya Ves Quien Soy distributed by Polygram Latino. The CD is still mostly salsa on the sensual tip but I enjoyed his version of A Mi Manera, Desde Mi Balcon, La Ley De Dios and Yo La Amaba Y La Amaba. Rey Ruiz fans will love it.

Tres Equis is one of today's hippest acts and the new CD is the proof. Check out the opening cut La Gozadera that should be a hit for any bachata with a tip of funk fan. Tres Equis rocks on Back 2 The Beat, Every Body Salsa, Aguacero and El Vacilon.

La Banda Gorda still rules when it comes to fast club merengue music. The new CD, Calienta Esto, picks up where the last one left off. The opening track Pa Los Que Me Tiran is a huge hit in the East. Once again José Peña Suazo composed and arranged all the tracks.

Los Del Caney is a Colombian band formed in 1983 that has been representing the "son" for years. Their albums have been great but they are even better on CD. Repicando El Son includes the classics originally done by Matamoros, Nico Saquito, Arsenio Rodríguez and Antonio María Romen.

The new Victor Roque y La Gran Manzana was produced by Bonny Cepeda on the Eden label. The CD has some great cuts on it.

Sony is releasing Tarjeta De Navídad II with Christmas music by Grupomania, Ashley, Elvis Crespo, Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Son By Four, Danny Rivera, DLG, Milly Quezada, and more.