Latin Beat Music Update

Latin Beat Magazine, Oct, 2001 by Nelson Rodríguez

Recordings by the dozens continue to appear from independent labels as major labels downsize their tropical rosters. With the exception of a few releases by these majors, most of the new material is by acts that have small distribution and little or no promotion.

Veteran Johnny Ray has produced a compilation of all his greatest salsa in English tracks, with two new tunes that includes the '80s popular Hot, Hot, Hot. The two new tracks fuse Cuban rhythms with a Jamaican feel in a modern tropical music arrangement.

Percussionist Rolando Matías (the Afro-Rican Ensemble) has released a CD (produced by Andy González) titled Fruit from the Rhythm Tree. Andy also plays bass on El Cumbanchero and Tanga. Adela Dalto and jazz trumpeter Kim Pensyl are featured guests on this fine recording.

Jazz bassist John Patitucci has recorded a CD using the talents of Horacio Hernández and Marc Quiñones, who have become a tandem since recording together on the Modern Drummer instructional video some time ago. "El Negro" Hernández has been busy this past year recording his own album (with Giovanni Hidalgo) titled Travelling Through Time, that showcases young Cuban bassist Charles Flores. He has continued to tour with Los Hombres Calientes whenever he can, and is recording a duo album with fellow drummer Robby Ameen.

Bassist Oscar Stagñaro, who has recorded with Paquito D'Rivera, Chucho Valdés, Dave Valentín, Danilo Pérez and the Caribbean Jazz Project, is now making his solo debut. Mariella's Dream includes Paquito D'Rivera, Dave Samuels, Ed Simón, Alex Acuña and Ramón Stagnaro.

Thanks to DJ Speedy González from Tampa, Florida's WMNF, for sending me a copy of a live recording of a special concert in Puerto Rico called Duelo al Anochecer, recorded in the Anfiteatro Tito Puente, featuring the Elias Lópes Orchestra. What made this event so memorable were the vocal performances by José Alberto (El Canario), Cano Estremera, Lalo Rodríguez and Domingo Quiñones. All four of these giants went at each other in what has become a challenge throughout the years to see who can claim to be the best sonero. Judging by the crowd's response, the winner this time around was Domingo Quiñones. While this recording is not commercially available, it proves that these events should be recorded more often for posterity.

Back in 1968, during the Carnaval festival in Brazil, a group of artists united in the early morning hours after their performances to record a romantic easy listening Brazilian jazz album. Rio 5AM (Mambo City) was led by Tito Puente and members of his orchestra (Charlie Palmieri, Louie Ramírez and Chino Pozo) with some of the top jazz players that included Benny Goodman's saxophonist Zoot Sims, Miles Davis' bassist Richard Davis, Buddy Rich's pianist Bill Potts, and drummer Mel Lewis. Now you can own this historic recording that has never been available in any format.

During my summer visit to New York to visit radio stations, I came across one of my unsung heroes, José Mangual, Jr., who is one of the best producers around; an extraordinary bongó player and a fine vocalist. He is currently rearranging many of the hits that he recorded for Velvet Records to produce a new CD.

Besides being on an extensive tour in Europe with Son Boricua, he also produced Junior González's latest release, Extra Innings (Ecuajey) that includes his version of Lady in Red. Nightclub patrons will love the track Violencia. Fans of Junior's older sound may want to pick up on the 1979 Mi Estilo--My Style (Fania) produced by Louie Ramírez--a real smoker.

You have to pick up Andar Andando (BIS), the long awaited debut of the ex-Bamboleo members--now known as Azúcar Negra--with 12 scorching songs.

Jimmy Sabater, who will be featured on the Son Boricua tour, is preparing a CD of his own with Son Boricua as his backup.

Fans of the boogaloo era will love the 1969 Pete Rodríguez recording of Latin Soul Man (Alegre) and Johnny Colón's Boogaloo '67, which features two vocalists who went on to form the TNT Band, Tito Ramos and Tony Rojas.

Some of you may remember that Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez and Papo Lucca recorded an LP titled Pete & Papo, a tropical version of balladeer Luis Miguel's 1991 Romance. The duo recorded their bolero versions in the exact same order as Miguel did for fans to compare and appreciate.

Puerto Rican native Tito Gómez is probably the most successful singer on the MP label roster right now, and the proof is in his latest CD, Las Páginas de Mi Vida--a stupendous production. Merenguero/composer José Peña Suazo wrote three of the songs including the title track. Suazo and his Banda Gorda are no longer with MP and have moved on to J&N Records. Puerto Rican Power has also moved from MP to J&N and their new CD Wild, Wild Salsa continues the wonderful tradition of salsa with the smashing track Pena De Amor, already a huge hit on radio and the number one spot in clubs and record pools. Another song destined to be a hit is Cuando Faltas Tú. Check out who is on coro: Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle and Justo Betancourt.