Latin Beat Music Update

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 1999 by Nelson Rodriguez

As we enter the last year before the millennium it brings to mind what I have predicted over the years about trends and changes. The music is starting to evolve into a stronger combination of musicianship and arrangements, with better vocalists than those of the last decade. CDs are providing more rhythm variations to go along with salsa and merengue. Bachata is getting hotter than ever, as are boleros, guajiras and chachachás.

MP Records has signed with Sony Music for distribution with a lineup that includes Tito Rojas, La Banda Gorda, Anthony Cruz, and Choco Orta. What the label needs to do is come up with a few more top acts to boost itself to the level it enjoyed years ago.

India has completed her new CD scheduled to be released before the summer.

The new Tito Nieves CD will include at least one English track.

Charlie Cruz has finally landed himself a hit, thanks to Sergio George, with Bomba De Azúcar, a Ricky Martin hit now done in salsa.

Last year I told you about the Seattle based band Sonando, who have a dynamite Latin jazz swing. The first CD, produced by pianist Fred Hoadly, was recorded in 1993/94 and released in 1994. It includes the tracks Blue Train, Pupi, La Trompeta y La Flauta, Wu Wei, Taboo, Carmen's Mambo and more.

Compay Segundo, a legend from Cuba, was a member of Matamoros, a duo half of Los Compadres, a close friend of Benny Moré, one of Cuba's best second voices ever, and is still recording in the '90s. Playing a seven string guitar called the "armónico," he creates a unique sound. Check out Lo Mejor De La Vida, to see what made this 90 year-old one of the best ever.

The first time I heard Cheo Quiñones' voice was with a band from Puerto Rico led by Cano Robles named Conjunto Canallón that recorded for their own Kanayón Records. The label's first CD includes some great songs by Canallón and the vocalists Cheo Quiñones, Pipo Pica, Rafael López, and Darvel Garcia. Check out the instrumental track, Tropical Jungle, arranged by Louis Garcia.

In the early years of the SAR label (the 80s) Charanga Colonial released a smashing CD and just recently a new Charanga Colonial hit the market with some great music. What I can't believe is that my good friend Roberto Torres doesn't include musical credits of the great musicians involved. In the '80s this happened because many of the musicians on the CD had contractual obligations with other labels. Today that rule does not apply.

Eddie Palmieri has employed some great vocalists over the years and without a doubt, the best was Ismael "Pat" Quintana. The hits were endless. In 1970, Ralph Lew produced a solo project for Ismael titled Punto Y Aparte with great arrangements by Charlie Palmieri and Javier Vásquez. What made Ismael unique was his versatility. He came from a rare school where vocalists sang boleros as well as guaguancó or son montuno.

Pianist Ruben González's CD Indestructible is a great showcase for this legend from Cuba. The CD is a quintet recording worth listening to.

Plena Libre's latest CD, Plena Libre, has been released on the Ryko Latino label. This is their fifth production and the lyrics are very powerful and enjoyable.

One of the hot new tropical acts of 1998 was Raul Paz who is currently on tour throughout Puerto Rico, Chile, Mexico, Perú, Uruguay, Venezuela and Colombia. DJ Baron López remixed Raul's Policia into new versions in chachachá, salsa and house. Meanwhile, Raul has also made a name for himself at pop stations.

Longtime veteran artist, Miami's Carlos Oliva, leader of Los Sobrinos Del Juez enjoyed the hits Ekelecua, Pelotero La Bola and Glorioso San Antonio during the '80s. His new CD, Yayabo, continues the Miami sound which combines salsa with Cuban music, jazz, rock, samba and afro beat. Oliva was also the producer of Miami Sound Machine's first two CDs. On most of his CDs, Oliva usually has an English lyric salsa, and for Yayabo he recorded Venus' Vehicle.

Papo Lucca's Cuban Jazz AIl-Stars Volume One starts off a bit slow but ends with 4 great songs in Janus, the Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams, Shaboozie and Picadillo. What I can't believe is how Fania can still release a CD with no credits.

One of the best salsa CDs from Colombia is the new one by the super hot Grupo Gale, En Su Sitio. Without a doubt, this band has been at the top of the heap for the past three years. Check out the tracks No La Descuides, Un Canto A Mi Tierra, Jugué Al Amor, Esta Soledad and Propuesta. Diego Gale has a winner.

Grupo Niche, who for years has been the leading band in Colombia, has a good CD in Señales De Humo.

Orquesta Guayacán's new CD is completely folkloric and includes no salsa. Nadie Nos Quita Lo Bailao includes medleys for all the various festivals in Colombia. At least Joe Arroyo adds a few salsa cuts on his CDs.

For fans of the classic sounds or students learning about our roots check out Joe Cuba Sextet's 1964 release El Amor Del Barrio and the Pacheco Y Su Charanga reissue series that includes Suavito and Spotlight On Pacheco featuring the vocalists Pete "Conde" Rodríguez, Vitin Avilés and Elliot Romero.