Latin Beat music update

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2003 by Nelson Rodriguez

Some of the hottest new music has begun to surface, while many reissues of old product continue to introduce the new music fans to the sounds of the '60s through the '80s.

Pianist Osmany Paredes' schooling in Cuba has served him well throughout the years in preparation for his recording, Con Menduvia (Menduvia is also the name of his band). The talent shines throughout this entire recording, with outstanding performances by all the musicians. Paredes is also an accomplished composer who has a bright career ahead of him. Check out the creative tracks Atómico, Havana 4, Seven Steps To Heaven, Sonido Emiliano, Canción a Primera Vista and Encuentro Latino.

One CD I've been searching for over ayear just crossed my desk by one of Europe's leading Latin jazz groups, Grupo X, led by trombonist Jonny Enright and based in London. Grupo X evolved as an offshoot of the UK's premier salsa band of the '90s, Orquesta La Clave (led by timbalero Jimmy Le Messurier, who recently released his CD with guest vocalist Tito Allen). Grupo X's CD, X-Posure, includes a track released on a Cubop compilation some years back that turned out to be the sleeper many DJs were looking for.

Another hard to find recording, now available in the U.S., is Luis Valle's ¡Agarrate!, featuring three of his brothers plus their father (Maraca, Yumurí, Osvaldo, Pedro), along with guests Pancho Amat and Aramís Galindo. After listening to AfroTimba, Lo Bueno Lo Traigo Yo, Timbita, Mambo Son and Guaguancó Sabroso, one might agree that this is one of the year's best new domestic releases.

Basilio Márquez & Eclipse's Eclipse Total is another huge winner, with the Márquez compositions Eclipse, Donde Existe Juventud (co-written by Moises Márquez) and Lauren as the highlights.

As for new releases, Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge's Isla contains sure hits as Black, Isla, Corta Ese Bonche, Free Man, Hindsight and Te Para Dos.

Pianist Sebastian Schunke has a unique mix of Euro-Latin jazz on his CD Symbiosis (Euro-Latin progression), with a wonderful line-up of John Benítez, Yosvany Terry, Peter Brainin, Dafnis Prieto, Antonio Sánchez and Richie Flores. The diversity and musical approach by Schunke makes this one a huge winner.

What a joy to hear something new by Benny Velarde & Super Combo. Viva Velarde! mixes salsa and Latin jazz. Outstanding are his versions of Tenderly, El Divorcio and Viva Cepeda!, plus John Calloway's solos on flute and piano and the trombone work by Ross C. Wilson and Terry Russell. Now all that is needed is for his older originals to come out and educate young listeners on this west coast giant.

One of the hottest releases from the east coast that has taken radio by storm comes from South Jersey. It is titled Hit Men, by Cintrón.

Osvaldo Chacón's new CD, Salsa Tiraba, continues the soaring climb for this vocalist who sharpened his vocal chops with Paulito FG, El Médico De La Salsa and Bamboleo. His timba, experimentation with timba rap, and genuine salsa styles are featured on Bimbón, Todo Llega, Carácter Deportivo, Heriero and Conmigo o Con El.

Juan Formell & Los Van Van are always a treat, and on their live concert CD En El Malecón de la Habana, you get awesome performances that will not disappoint you. Tim-Pop Con Birdland, Esto Te Pone La Cabeza Mala, Temba, Tumba y Tiraba and Qué Cosas Tiene La Vida are well worth the wait.

Revolución '70 was one of those underrated salsa bands that rocked on both of their LPs, now on CD: Llegó La Revolución and Revolución En N.Y.. West Side Latino re-issued these gems for all guaracha lovers with the endless hits that include Soy De Borinquen, Siempre Alegre and Yambú.

Now led by pianist/composer Enrique "Kike" Purizaga, Los Titanes have some sure hits on their CD, Salsa Super Power, including Pensando, Noche De Rumberos, Sazón, Tu Son and the scorching Mosaico: Lluvia Con Nieve/Tremendo Coco.

Aside from losing all-time best Mongo Santamaría, we also lost one of the best-known percussionists to the insiders of the industry but not to the public at large. A member of the Cepeda clan, Puerto Rico's bomba and plena icons, Luis Daniel "Chichito" Cepeda died in a car accident while returning home from a late gig in the Bay Area, but has left a legacy of music you need to discover if only in a few choice recordings. Drum Jam, by Grupo Exploración, is one of those highly acclaimed CDs that fused the son with current Cuban sounds being heard in the clubs in Havana, plus African rhythms. Chichito was always the heart and soul of the Cepeda sound, and on this CD he excels on quinto, conga and bongó. David Peñalosa, Jimmy Durchslag and Chichito formed Kachimbo 2000, and the new recording by Cepeda, Dancing The Drum, is one of the best bomba and plena recordings in recent history. Chichito was the musical director of this project, once again excelling on primo drum and quinto pandereta.

Pianist Elio Villafranca has been compared to Chucho Valdés and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. His debut, Incantations, features guest performances by reedwoman Jane Bunnett, guitarist Pat Martino and trumpeter Terell Stafford, along with Dafnis Prieto, Carlos Henríquez, Wilson Corneil, Pedro Martínez and Giovana Guevara.