Latin Beat music update

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2002 by Nelson Rodríguez

First let me begin with some Grammy notes of interest. Did anyone think Charlie Haden's Nocturne was not going to win? Olga Tañon won the merengue Grammy but there are other merengueros. Did voting members believe it was Rubén when they read the name Roberto Blades? Encore was a very good CD but not a Grammy contender. Calle 54 offered more of what a Grammy winner should offer. And lastly, Carlos Vives broke the Cuban winning streak in the Traditional category. A new LARAS category is being added to separate traditional from contemporary tropical (bachatas, etc.). Once again, the race for next year's Grammy Awards is on the way with a host of unique and interesting releases that should make the nominations process very special. Now we need the process to step up to the plate and represent Latin music efficiently.

One new project belongs to Michel Camilo with his inspirational trio release, Triángulo, featuring the two veterans Anthony Jackson and Horacio "El Negro" Hernández. What makes this record enjoyable is El Negro's rhythm, Jackson's six-string contrabass and Camilo's undeniable piano flair on his own compositions. Radio has been playing Descarga for Tito (Puente), but also lend an ear to Mr. C.I., Las Dos Lorettas, Afterthought, Anthony's Blues and dotcom-bustion.

Another pianist with a wicked new CD is Hilario Durán. Havana Remembered is his first solo effort dedicated to the sounds of Cuban popular music, with vocals by Alberto Alberto and Yailen Durán. Joining Durán on this CD is bassist Roberto Occhipinti, whose own CD, Trinacria (Modica Music) was hard to find until now. Hilario and I were in communication recently about his longtime desire to record the golden era of Havana's yesteryear. Trinacria includes Hilario Durán, saxophonist Phil Dwyer and percussionist Mario del Monte, from Durán's recording, along with Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, Dafnis Prieto, Yosvany Terry, and percussionist Juan Sánchez Oliva.

Bassist Harvie Swartz & Eye Contact have a new release titled New Beginning (RVS) featuring a diversity of fusions and excellent performances by Michael Brecker, Ray Vega, guitarist Haru Takanchi and Swartz, who wrote most of the tracks. The standout is A Bright Moment.

Harpist Roberto Perera began his career in 1973 but did not record his first CD, Erótica, until 1990 (re-released in 1997 by Heads Up). Throughout the '90s Perera continued to reach new musical heights with each release including his last one, In the Mood (2000). In Sensual, Perera takes a new direction with his version of Omar Alfanno's A Puro Dolor (with guest Raul de Blasio), the rumba/flamenco/cumbia Un Beso, the rare salsa instrumental El Coqui Salsero and the only vocal, Gracias a La Vida, with Luis Enrique. This passionate recording is Perera's best yet.

Bronx trumpet extraordinaire Ray Vega is back with his third solo effort, Pa'Lante, including a Latin jazz sextet that features the talents of Bobby Porcelli, Willie Martínez, Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, bassist Boris Kozlov and pianist Igor Atalia. The power tracks include Descarga, Yardbird Suite, K.D., Melani's Dream, Prayer of Jabez and Flight to Jordan (that Ray always wanted, to record but Tito Puente got to first).

Baby Salsa is a concept album titled Isla de Sueños, created by Son 14 vocalist Rubén de Jesús Rodríguez. Comprised of young kids that include Rubén's son, it's Cuba's answer to Venezuela's Salserin.

Flutist Rene Lorente has a new release, Reencuentro (Santa Fe) that includes bassist/vocalist Omar Hernández, Charanga Orquesta Miami Aragon and Paquito Hechevarria. This one is mostly comprised of classic charanga tracks.

Manolín "El Médico de la Salsa" is back (after a two-year absence) with Jaque Mate, which was actually recorded some years ago but presumed lost. Apparently, Manolin now resides in Miami and has already recorded another CD.

Isaac Delgado's new CD has music recorded both in Cuba and New York with collaborations by Ralph Irizarry and Arturo Ortiz, to name a few. Ir will include some romantic cuts, including a duet with Silvio Rodríguez.

The Puente Brothers (Alexis & Adonis) are multi-talented Cuban brothers living in Canada and their CD, Morumba Cubana includes Hilario Durán, Jane Bunnett, Pancho Quinto and Horacio Hernández.

Quinto Mayor has a follow-up to their successful debut titled Salsa Con Golpe II, once again doing covers of hot salsa tracks from the past. Check out Faisan, Agua de Chocolate and Guaguancó Pa'l Que Sabe.

Heineken Jazz Fest 2001 has been released on a limited basis and includes music by honoree Chucho Valdés, Ray Vega, Roberto Perera, Luis Marin, Julito Alvarado, Tania Maria, Irakere and Strunz & Farah. This one was made primarily for the island of Puerto Rico and the word is that only 3000 discs were produced.

After a two-year hiatus due in part to the events at RMM, Michael Stuart is out with a release showcasing his powerful voice on tracks Mi Princesa, Te Lo Adverti and the hip Michael Stuart.com.

The original soundtrack to the movie Piñero has a wealth of old school salsa as full versions including Roberto Roena's Mi Desengaño, Eddie Palmieri's Puerto Rico, Willie Colón/Hector Lavoe's Calle Luna, Calle Sol and the Thelonious Monk Quartet classic Straight, No Chaser.