Latin beat music update

Latin Beat Magazine, August, 2002 by Nelson Rodríguez

Tania Maria's Live at the Bluenote (Concord) offers the listener a taste of her fiery magnetism. An all-time favorite who turned me on to Brazilian jazz in the early '80s, her piano style and sultry voice will make you an instant fan with this new recording.

La Calle Caliente's hot sophomore release, Mozambique Soul (Youkali Music) is highlighted by performances from band members Manuel Machado on trumpet, Segundo Mijares on sax, and Vicente Borland on piano, along with Miguel Blanco, Norman Hogue, Jesús Catalá, Kevin Robb, Yayo Morales and special guests Jerry González, Jorge Pardo, Jaime Muela, Candido Mijares and Bob Sands. Check out Rumba y Consecuencia, Montuno Nights and Invitation.

Grupo Sierra Maestra has a new import CD, Rumbero Soy (World Music Network) recorded in France and Cuba with guests Ibrahim Ferrer, guitarist Marc Ribot and Omara Portuondo.

It's been a while since we heard from Colombia's Orquesta Canela, the all-female salsa band, who plan a comeback with their new recording Con Amor Propio (LT Music).

It's unfortunate that Joe Arroyo's sales in the States have not been better because his latest, Marcando Terreno, was only available as an import. Besides the Ricardo Lemvo hit Mambo Yo Yo, the other song making noise is Mosaico Folclórico, which features guest Victor Manuelle.

Put Pancho Amat, Tata Güines, Jesús Rubalcaba, Changuito, Joaquin Oliveros, Vannia Borges and a host of other charanga musicians and you have the Havana All-Stars. Joaquin Betancourt of Isaac Delgado fame produces their CD, Charanga.

Julio Cortez, a 10-year veteran of Grupo Niche who left the band to pursue a solo career, has a recently completed recording with his band. The single Baila Conmigo, got off to a big start in Colombia, México and U.S. west coast clubs. Fellow Niche vocalist Willie Garcia wrote a few tunes for the release.

Flute player Hubert Laws, who played for the Jazz Crusaders as a founding member and with Mongo Santamaría before going solo and continuing his Latin-influenced style, has a new recording many will enjoy. Baila Cinderella is a throw back to those years when Laws was heavy into the Latin sway.

Envidia Records continues to crank out more CDs with the latest installments of Lussón y Lussón's Corazón De Son (ex-vocalist for Chappotín y Sus Estrellas & Los Karachi); Somos Amigos' self-titled CD led by Imanol Ortiz (from Spain), and Jesús Rubalcaba with Roberto Vizcaino, J.J. Oliveros and Frank Rubio; Andres Revé y el Expreso de Oriente's De Guantanamo a La Habana and the new William Rubalcaba.

Merengue has gone through a slump everywhere but in the West Coast, where it has actually picked up with club DJs rushing to get the latest releases from the East Coast and Caribbean groups. One of the hot new merengue releases is from Miguel Acosta (Raul Acosta of Oro Solido's younger brother) y Su Mambo Nuevo.

Another hot new group is Proyecto Nuevo (Los Papi Chulos), and their CD El Mambo Que Pica.

Tulile is the name of one of New York's hottest new merengueros who debuted two years ago by performing in a skirt and has graduated to a wedding dress. What makes this man hot is his huge hit El Mas Pegao and a combination of today's youthful sound with new touches of fusion. Tulile ... from the beginning ... Live! (Mt&Vi).

Bebo Valdés' history in Sweden is available in book form but written in Swedish. "Mambo Time" will eventually be published in English thanks to Dag Haggqvist and Gazell Records AB.

A good book that chronicles the history of jazz in México is "El Jazz En México (Datos Para Una Historia)" written by Alain Derbez and handled by Delia Peña Gutierrez of Fondo de Cultura Económica, in México. This book depicts the vast world of jazz in México since its inception.

West Side Latino's Cuban Classics series Volume 14 is Estrellas Cubanas' Charanga Cuban All-Stars, that includes great pachangas vocalized by the Calzado clan (Rudy, Luis and Sergio), with Julian Guerrero on flute.

Also check out Duo Los Compadres' Soneando, with performances by Compay Primo, Compay Segundo, Reynaldo Hierrezuelo (who replaced Compay Segundo in this famous outfit), bassist Rafael Ortiz, bongocero Pedro Mena, and Carusito on güiro.

Getting good reviews is Grupo Yanqui, led by pianist Bennett Paster and bassist Gregory Ryan, and joined by two of the hottest Cuban musicians based in the East Coast, Yosvany Terry Cabrera and Dafnis Prieto on the CD Grupo Yanqui.

Manolito y Su Trabuco are back with a new one titled Se Rompieron Los Termometros (Eurotropical) that includes Carlos Calunga, Sixto Llorente and Ricardo A. Macias on vocals.

Cortijo y su Combo's Las Plenas de Cortijo ... Al Rescate Del Folklore includes vocals by Nelson Piñedo and Roy Rosario, as well as Ismael Rivera.

Pianist Bob Washut, director of jazz studies at the University of Northern Iowa, leads Orquesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz, an 11-member band from Iowa that have been together since 1986. After listening to four of their recordings (Dancing in the Corn, Azucar Caliente, Live at Montreux and Añejando) you'll discover that Alto Maiz swings with the best on wonderful versions of classic hits such as Juan Pachanga, Guararé, Bang Bang, Abran Paso, Para Los Rumberos, Canto Abacua, Oye Como Va, Manteca and Ran Kan Kan. They also include original material and outstanding performances by vocalist/percussionist Edgar East, drummer Jim Drier, percussionist Dan Hummel, percussionist Paul Cunliffe, trumpeter Al Naylor, saxophonist Bob Thompson, lead trumpeter Brent Sandy, trombonist Rich Medd, bassist Steve Charlson, and guitarist Steve Grismore.