Latin beat e-mail

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2005

I am hoping that you can help me. I am trying to determine the name of a jazz tune that featured the trumpeter Ramón Flores as the soloist. The tune was played as part of a movie entitled "To Sleep with Anger" that came out in 1990. There was a beautiful jazz piece played at the end of the movie. I would love to have this in my music collection; however there is no soundtrack available. The credits indicated that the ensemble that played on the movie included Ramón Flores.

I see that Latin Beat has reviewed Mr. Flores' music in the past. If there's any help/direction that you can provide so that 1 may ascertain the name of this melody? It's very moving and haunting. I do appreciate any assistance that you can provide.

Sincerely, Donyell Clark, cyberspace

On behalf of Truco y Zaperoko, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra and the whole Libertad family we wish to thank Latin Beat for a great 2004. We deeply appreciate all the coverage and Best Of 2004 lists that recognized our achievements for the past year or so.

It is rare to find a magazine that treats this music with such intelligence and insight, we are all fortunate to have Latin Beat as our authoritative source for discovering the past, present and indeed future of la musica latina.

On a personal note I was truly moved by the great piece on Cuba's Orquesta Casino De La Playa. It is one of my favorite bands of all time and I learned many things that informed my appreciation of their members' experiences.

I also was intrigued by the review of Septeto Rodríguez and I am going to my local independent music store here in Philadelphia and picking up a copy this weekend, as a result of the fascinating description of that unique ensemble.

One correction I would like to make is in the sales figure for Obie Bermudez. You listed 135 million copies sold. It did not do quite that well, as that would make it the highest selling album in history!

Aaron Luis Levinson/Libertad Records

I've recently become interested in your special Latin Beat Magazine and I was impressed with the latest November issue. At first, I enjoyed seeing photos of these good, familiar musicians, but then I was disappointed when I realized there were major artists completely ignored. For example, every true NY Latin musician and fan has been aware of the master drummer Eddie Bobe and his CD called Central Park. Rumba that has put together great percussionists and captured a special style and sound that's all its own. I was amazed that Eddie Bobe is one of the great contemporary Latin beat composers that is unmentioned in your magazine. This magazine will excite and captivate new fans by publishing these new special artists, bringing it to a higher value.

Avery and Lydia/cyberspace

What have they done to our music? ¿Qué le han hecho a nuestra canción?

What a shame. I grew up listening to Machito, Bauzá, Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez, Charlie Palmieri, Eddie Palmieri, the Alegre All-Stars, Kako, Cheo Feliciano, Héctor Lavoe, Pete El Conde, Celia, Barretto, Papo Lucca, Sonora Ponceña, Cano Estremera, Bobby Valentín, Willie Rosario, Típica '73, Conjunto Libre, Gran Combo, Pacheco, Mongo, Poncho Sánchez, Patato, Giovanni Hidalgo ... etc ...

Today, it's LA MEGA 98 FM radio = MERENGUE, MERENGUE, MERENGUE, BACHATA, BACHATA, more MERENGUE, MERENGUE, MERENGUE. ALL DAY LONG, 24 hrs, 7 days a week in N.Y. It really sucks in New York.

Neuyorican/cyberspace