Ritmo: La música de hoy

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 1998 by Franz Reynold

UN SIX-PACK DE LO MAS SOBRESALIENTE DEL '98

Prospecting for substance amongst wafer-thin offerings requires a combination of fortitude, perception, and at least a minor miracle. When hope for improvement continually suffers the crush of ignorance, the shine of optimism becomes obscured by resignation - and the tolerance of lower standards.

Second verse, same as the first, accurately defines the current state of música en español (and the same can be said for music en inglés, as well). Despite the odd gem here and there, the deluge of mediocre (and calculated) material foisted on the indiscriminate consumer, borders on atrocity.

The up side to this downer however, is that even the slightest gleam [of artistic intelligence] merits some level of scrutiny - and sometimes, keen observation rewards us with a few (in this case, six) artists/groups worthy of our attention.

MICHAEL STUART - Retratos (RMM)

Although confined to second-tier status by cramped quarters in promotional priority, Michael Stuart loads his new release titled Retratos with enough ability to catapult himself into the upper echelon, given the opportunity. Unleashing a nuanced tenor with great command, he converts even the most mundane set of notes into a melody primed with brillo y energía. On his latest collection of música tropical, confidence supports experimentation and the results are most encouraging. Producer Angel Fernández spreads variety across the disc's nine tracks, employing electronic instrumentation and the occasional string flourish in tandem with the requisite brass and percussion, to sustain the sizzle. Prominent in the running for least resistible, figure such cuts as La Soledad De Tu Amor and Hasta Cuando. And should anyone question Stuart's potential to dominate other genres, one listen to the coiled romanticism of Vivo Para Siempre - the suave mystery of el bolero lurking within its cha-cha vibe - will convert any doubt into awe.

PEYOTE ASESINO - Terraja (Universal)

A Gustavo Santoaolalla production credit on any album of roc en español is akin to having the seal of Good Housekeeping on your product. lt's a definite plus. So, Terraja the new CD by Peyote Asesino recorded under his aegis, doesn't settle for simply pushing the envelope - it kicks out a wall, introducing us to a pollination of droning guitars, funky chord transitions and energetic chants. A strain of dementia provides ammunition for the strident wordplay, with the odd sound effect keeping complacency at bay. A kamikaze spirit damns restriction, so offense is a welcome addition in the agenda of cuts like El Peyote Asesino, Criminal and Uruguay (UR Gay), on which phobia and politics intersect. To those for whom convention is synonymous with a shortcut to catatonia, this tapestry of grunge/rap may be just the ticket to a fresh thrill!

FRANCISCO CESPEDES - Vida Loca (WEA)

Undermined by personal demographic (age, profile, and perhaps even, su color café) the best collection of songs recorded in the Spanish language this year, wrestíes with obscurity - while vapid pretty boys bleating in off-key register, score multi-platinum success. Who said life is fair? Francisco Cespedes articulates with unerring insight and magnificence, the emotional grandeur of el amor. No less adept at portraying the flip side of euphoria, some of the cuts on his CD titled Vida Loca also grapple with the futility of denial, and the fragile construct of desire. The title cut melds strings and a vocal moist with vulnerability, into a plea for unconditional acceptance. Se Me Antoja threads erotic longing within its simplicity -- a subtle arrogance rising beneath its reverent facade. The eleven cuts in this collection step confidently past inferior expectation and brazen mediocrity, to embrace sublime inspiration. It is a gesture deserving of --at the very least-- firm interest and [hopefully] a warm response from even the most discriminating mind.

BANDA ARKANGEL R-15 -Amor del Bueno (Fonovisa)

Ignorance may try to relegate banda music to some inaccessible quadrant of la musica mejicana, but the reality of unwavering interest amongst large segments of record buyers in the Southwest and Western US alone (not to mention the land from whence it came), contradicts limited perception. One of the jeweIs of this genre, renowned for its consistency in spinning heartbreak into gold, is Banda Arkangel R-15. Cascading horns partner changing tempos - the resulting cacophony a tad harsh to the unfamiliar ear, perhaps. But to their expanding fan base, the pumping brass and tambor is an energizing invitation to bailar y gozar. Pouring on confession like spicy condiment, songs like Mi Muchacha Buena and Tu Nueva Vida, feed the weary romantic recuperating inside. Add to that the frustration of adios on No Cuentes Conmigo, and the fearful pride of Tus 15 Años (a guaranteed valse at many a quinceñiera gathering from now till...forever), and they've got the emotional spectrum just about covered. Which is more than can be said for so much of what passes, these days, for good music.