Latin Beat music update

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2003 by Nelson Rodriguez

Bobby Ramírez (pictured above) has topped his debut, Ritmo Jazz Latino, with his latest release, Pan Con Bistec (with guest violinist Federico Britos Ruiz), which comes highly recommended by many industry people.

One of the hippest merengue bands of all-time has to be Luis Kalaff and his Alegres Dominicanos. His three hottest recordings from the early '60s--Bailemos, La Mecha and Aqui Hay Un Chivo--are all currently available on CD.

Nueva Manteca's Congo Square (Tribute to New Orleans) is a creative concept superbly executed by another leading European band that showcases the similarities between New Orleans jazz and Afro-Cuban music, as seen by Jan Hartong and his gang. The entire band contributes to this gem, featuring the excellent King Porter Stomp, When It's Sleepy Time Down South, and When The Saints Go Marching In Cuban Comparsa.

Guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima shines once again with his amazing talent on Natalia, with wonderful bass work from John Benítez on the tunes Frenesí, María Bonita and Adios. Barbosa-Lima remains an acoustic guitar institution since his debut in 1967.

Noble Savage, by Hilary Noble (best known for his work on Bobby Sanabria's Asención), is creative and fresh. Like Sanabria's group (Sanabria co-produced this project with Noble) this quintet delivers a full, rich, robust sound. My picks are Rumb'azul, Seven Effects of Highly Habitual People, Sandunga Mofongo and The Fire Next Time.