Grupo Exitos: Alive - Magic Music Latino - Reseña

Latin Beat Magazine, June-July, 2002 by Gilbert Rivera

This debut recording by the Miami, Florida-based Grupo Exitos showcases the sounds of one of the most popular tropical music ensembles working in the Miami Beach area today. Basically a cover band, the group provides an entertaining repertoire of danceable tunes ready to satisfy any tropical dance party.

Their versatility in being able to perform just about any tropical or Latin American rhythm, makes them a popular and in demand commodity in the dance club scene. Their interpretations are all re-arranged with the peculiar modern style of the band, which favors the new tendencies of today's Cuban salsa bands and bands from Puerto Rico. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist José Garay "El Piri" and vocalist/percussionist Giovanni Arana lead the group. Descarga Exitos is the only original track on the CD (an up-beat timba). Other favorites include their versions of El Manicero, the classic Guillermo Rodríguez Fiffé composition Bilongo, a Reggae Medley and a Merengue Medley. (GR)