Latin beat music update

Latin Beat Magazine, Feb, 2002 by Nelson Rodríguez

Virgin Records released a self-titled recording of veteran pianist Pepito Reyes, who was an original member of Fajardo y Sus Estrellas. Listen to the wonderful improvisations on the selected tracks Escucha Mi Piano, My Baby Just Cares for Me and Descarga Pepesito.

Carlos Guerrero, ex-vocalist for seven years with Grupo Niche, recorded a CD in Colombia that by now should have a U.S.-based distribution deal. The disc showcases Guerrero's unique vocal style.

Wayne Wallace continues to elevate his craft and once again provides outstanding music on his CD, Echoes In Blue (Spirit Nectar), with stylish versions of Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage, Charlie Parker's The Bird, Billy Strayhorn's Take The 'A' Train and Horace Silver's Silver's Serenade, as well as his own composition, Gingerbread Girl, first heard on Pete Escovedo's 1988 Mister E. Wallace stands out on the trombone, with many inspirational improvisations that have only begun to be explored.

Yosvanny Terry's band, Columna B, has finished their debut, Twisted Noon (Bombo Music), recorded in Berkeley, California with Bay-area musicians. The band is comprised of Yosvanny's brother Yunior Terry, Roberto Carcassés, Jesús Díaz, Josh Jones and Marty Wehner.

Mamajuana (Latino Music) can easily be the new merengue sound out of the Dominican Republic with their youthful combination of traditional instrumentation (panderas, güira, atabals and tamboras) with folkloric rhythms from lesser-known regions of the island. This uniqueness led by the vocal trio of guitarist Eddy González, Kalyna Román and Luiggy Castillo sets Mamajuana apart from the rest and is refreshing.

We spoke various times last year about bassist John Benítez's trio CD Descarga In New York (Khaeon). What you get with this project is a complete package highlighted by Benítez's solos, pianist Luis Perdomo's fabulous performance (who also wrote five of the tunes), drummer Dafnis Pérez, guest conguero Richie Flores and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. This was one of the best recordings to come out at the end of the year.

Batidos Olajope (Six Degrees) is a wonderful mix that combines saxophonist Jay Rodríguez, a founding member of the funky NYC band Groove Collective, and DJ Ron Trent, from the N.Y. club Giant Step. Add Afro-Cuban percussion to their jazz, house and soulful organ, and you get an array of dance music that will delight any listener. Rodríguez's impressive resume includes work with Herbie Hancock, Prince and even the rap group Wu-Tang Clan. Chucho Valdés and Eddie Bobe also join Trent and Rodríguez in a recording reminiscent of the '80s acid jazz scene.

The new Celia Cruz project, La Negra Tiene Tumbao CD, starts with a feeble attempt to recapture the success of La Vida Es Un Carnaval and turns up the heat with some excellent tracks towards the end of the production. Hopefully this won't turn off fans at the listening stations who usually listen to the first few songs to make a determination on whether to buy of not. Nevertheless, this CD is superior to last year's release that won a Latin Grammy. Look for Sin Clave No Hay Son, Taita Bilongo, Corazón de Rumba, Que Culpa Tengo Yo, and Mi Mercancia to do well at NPRs and clubs. If properly promoted, commercial radio can go far with this release. Johnny Pacheco produced one track, while Isidro Infante did two and the rest of the project was in Sergio George's capable hands. Expect this one to be nominated this year.

Colombian drummer Rafael Leal has created the band Ayombe that fuses Colombian folk music with jazz. They were finishing the recording as the year ended.

Mariano Civico is now with Kubaney and has a new CD, Cada Vez Mejor, recorded in Colombia.

Also from Colombia comes La Moderna, a sextet led by flutist Rafael Rodríguez with the self-titled CD that actually came out in 2000. The band is composed of keyboardist Freddy Enríquez, percussionist Alex Morales, bassist Mauricio Sichaca, guitarist Julian Avila and drummer Paul Vottler.

Vibist/percussionist Jorge Emilio Fadul leads La Creativa Jazz Latino, from Spain, with 14 band members specializing in music by Cal Tjader, Dizzy Gillespie and Mongo Santamaría. Fadul has recorded two hard-to-find, albums in Colombia titled Encuentro de Leyendas and Tambor de Madrugada, with special appearances by Chucho Valdés, Justo Almario, Miguel "Angá" Díaz, Art Velasco, Oscar Valdés, Carlos del Puerto, Charlie Gómez, Carlos Emilio Morales and Enrique Pla.

Brenda K. Starr has joined the Sony roster for her next release with help from DJ Eddie Arroyo, who helped make the deal, and also produced two tracks. Eddie has also done a remix for the upcoming Marc Anthony pop album.

I spoke to Marc Anthony during an exclusive interview about his salsa CD, Libre (with its obvious meaning); the line-up of musicians that includes as guests Yomo Toro and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. Anthony was involved in the entire project, which, along with keyboardist/arranger Juanito González, took eight months to record and incorporates salsa with various rhythms. Check out how the duo has made use of Andean music of charango elements from Peru. Anthony is now preparing to embark on a 36-city tour to promote both Libre and his new pop CD. The original plan to do four albums within the year has been scratched. As far as Anthony's movie career is concerned, he's had to turn down good roles in order to complete these records but is hoping to be cast in an upcoming Eddie Murphy movie.