Discos - Tt: Latin Beat Music Update - Reseña

Latin Beat Magazine, Feb, 2001 by Nelson Rodríguez

If the early 2001 releases, along with those released at the end of last year are any indication of the future of Latin music, look out world. While for the most part the major labels have fallen asleep, the smaller independents have been keeping the flames lit.

Cubop just released the Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars Volume II and the new Jack Costanzo Back From Havana, which I think should be a Grammy finalist at the upcoming Latin Grammy Awards. It amazes me that Costanzo hasn't recorded in 25 years. Listen to him on this new production and tell me if the man has lost it. Back From Havana is an awesome jam session from beginning to end. Check out his vintage stuff on the Verve, GNP, Liberty, Sunset, Tico and Norgran labels. You won't be disappointed.

Panamanian salsero Azuquita released his latest CD production, Lo Bailado Nadie Me Lo Quita. The CD includes a tasty salsa version of Ricky Martin's hit Maria.

Ahi Na Ma Music just released the new Issac Delgado's La Formula with the hit El Pregón Del Chocolate. This one includes guest performances by Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Pablo Milanés.

Miles Peña's latest Lejos De Ti is on the Parcha/Platano label, a new home for the young Cuban singer. Saxophonist Robert Incelli's self-titled debut CD is on the Tonga label. The Jazz Tribe on the Red label unites former Space Station members Ray Mantilla and saxophonist Bobby Watson on the CD The Next Step.

The new Afro Cuban All-Stars Present Felix Baloy: Baila Mi Son is on the Ahora/Tumi Music label. It features the talented vocals of Baloy on the tracks Ven A Bailar El Cha Cha Chá, Despues De Esta Noche, Mami Me Gusto, plus many more.

Look for Deep Rumba's Alto En La Fiebre De La Rumba, featuring percussionists Giovanni Hidalgo, Paoli Mejias, Richie Flores, Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, Amadito Valdés, Puntilla and many others on the American Clave label.

The latest from Grupo Gale, Con El Mismo Swing, is doing really well on the Codiscos label.

Corrine has just finished her latest CD with salsa tracks in both Spanish and English. The arrangements include the works of her father Angel Negrón, Nelson Hernández, uncle José Negrón, Ceferino Morales Caban and Charlie Garcia.

Tony "Ham" Guerrero is a veteran of Tejano music and together with veteran arrangers Julito Alvarado and Joe Gallardo are featuring Ham's son Alfredo and two daughters, Cherith and Laura on their CD from Texas on Hacienda Records titled Tony "Ham " Guerrero y La Nueva Generación.

La Sonora Ponceña's 45th Anniversary 2-CD set, Y Seguimos Haciendo Historia, includes the vocals of Yolanda Rivera, Luigi Texidor, Pichie Pérez, Mannix Martínez, Danny Davila, Omar Ledee, Wito Colón, Miguelito Ortiz, Rafi Santana, Cano Estremera, Ismael Miranda and Andy Montañez. Some of the tracks included are Jubileo 45, Boranda, Canto Al Amor, Fuego En El 23 and Timbalero.

Veteran Roberto Torres, who has been absent from the recording scene, has a new CD, Siempre Sonando, with the tracks El Tiburón, Avisale A Mi Guajira, Que Lindo El Punto Cubano and Si No Me Quieres.

The 43rd Grammy Award Nominees are out and the selections once again will surprise many. In the Latin music categories the nominees are:

Best Latin Pop Album:

Mi Reflejo, Cristina Aguilera (RCA Records)

Oscar De La Hoya, Oscar De La Hoya (EMI Latin)

Vivo, Luis Miguel (WEA Latina)

El Alma Al Aire, Alejandro Sanz (WEA Latina)

Shakira-MTV Unplugged, Shakira (Sony Discos)

Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album:

La Extraordinaria Paradoja Del Sonido Quijano, Café Quijano (WEA Latina)

No Podemos Volar, El Tri (WEA Rock)

Uno, La Ley (WEA Int.)

Arepa 3000, Los Amigos Invisibles (Luaka Bop)

Abre, Fito Paez (WEA Latina)

Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album:

Rhythms For A New Millennium, Alex Acuña y Su Acuarela De Tambores (Tonga Productions)

Cuba Linda, Cachao (EMI Latin)

Alma Caribeña, Gloria Estefan (Epic Records)

Tribute To The Cuarteto Patria, Eliades Ochoa (Higher Octave Music)

Buena Vista Social Club Presents: Omara Portuondo, Omara Portuondo (Nonesuch Records)

Best Salsa Album:

Celia Cruz and Friends: A Night Of Salsa, Celia Cruz (RMM Records)

Evolución, Luis Enrique (WEA Latina)

Masterpiece/Obra Maestra, Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri (RMM Records)

Son By Four, Son By Four (Sony Discos)

Hablando Del Amor, Tony Vega (RMM Records)

Best Merengue Album:

El Padrino, Fulanito (Cutting Records)

Voy A Enamorarte, Gisselle (BMG Latin)

Masters of the Stage, Grupo Mania (Sony Discos)

Live, Ilegales (BMG Latín)

Oiga Viva, Viva Olga, Olga Tañon (WEA Latina)

Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album:

Por Una Mujer Bonita, Pepe Aguilar (Musart/Balboa Records)

Quemame Los Ojos, Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte (Freddie Records)

Lobo Herido, Vicente Fernández (Sony Discos)

Atrapando Tu Corazón, Grupo Atrapado (Freddie Records)

Decimo Aniversario, Los Terribles Del Norte, (Freddie Records)

Best Tejano Album:

Quien Iba A Pensar, Jimmy González y El Grupo Mazz (Freddie Records)

Siempre Cuenta Conmigo, Leonardo Gonzales y Los Magnificos (Freddie Records)

En Vivo...Puro Party Live II, Jaime y Los Chamacos (Freddie Records)