ESP-Latino CD Music Sampler V2

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 2002

The new ESP Latino CD Sampler V2 from the ESP Entertainment Group (a company dedicated to producing CD music samplers in all genres of music) is the second Latin music compilation distributed through Latin Beat Magazine. The new sampler features 16 tracks from mostly independent labels and self-produced artists and bands, showcasing the diversity of Latin music from around the world. Once again this new production embodies a mixed repertoire of Latin rhythms, from salsa, Latin jazz and Latin pop to other tasty fusions of Latin rhythms and dance forms. The list of artists and bands in the ESP-Latino CD $ampler V2 begins with the talents of Los Papines (one of the most popular percussion ensembles from Cuba) performing The Beatles classic Hello Goodbye from the CD Here comes ... El Son, which pays tribute to the Fab Four's music through Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Latin Grammy nominee and veteran master percussionist Bobby Sanabria brings us the track Shaw `Nuff from his CD Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache! Tito Puente, Jr. is back for a second time with a remake of his father's classic mega-hit Oye Como Va!

From the island of Puerto Rico, Grupo Atabal showcases Requiem a Tito Puente from the CD Con el Ritmo del Caribe. Singer/songwriter Beverly is featured in two tracks: Se Me Va a Oxidar and Ni Aunque Prendas Una Vela, blending a variety of urban forms with Latin flavors. Acoustic guitarist Ramón Bermúdez, Jr. showcases his virtuosity on the string instrument on the track Seis Ocho from his CD, Fuego en el Alma.

Singer/bandleader Maya Santamaría brings her unique Cuban salsa flavor and high energy to the mix with the selection La Sabrosa, from the CD, Llegó La Sabrosa. Bassist Charles Fambrough pays tribute to the memory of Grover Washington, Jr. with the track Bossa Grover, recorded live at the jazz club Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia. Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Leslie Mendez brings up the heat with the track Reloj De Arena from her CD Salsa y Algo Más.

From New York City comes Dave Santiago, featuring his unique sounds on the track Chibola from the CD Dave Santiago & Latin Affair. Jazz flutist Vivienne Simchowitz fuses world music with Latin tinges on the track Gypsy Avalanche from the CD Bella V. The Los Angeles-based group LA Carpool is also back for seconds with their blend of salsa pop with English lyrics on the track Salsa Side, from their CD, Salsa Pop.

Grammy Award guitarist/composer/producer Jesse Cutler features Paul Shaffer on the track Temperature Rising, from the CD, Music of the Stars/Aquarius. Pianist Victor Surpris, Jr. renders his easy listening sounds and style Oh the track Carole, from his CD, Je Reviens. Closing the sampler is another selection from Here comes ... El Son, this time featuring the vocal talents of Jorge Luis Rojas "Rojitas" on The Beatles classic Drive My Car.

One of the missions of ESP Entertainment Group is to provide a vehicle through which artists and bands worldwide can promote their music to the masses at a reasonable cost to them. ESP Entertainment Group is headed by Jesse Cutler with Tony Hattenback serving as the associate producer for the ESP-Latino CD sampler series. For more information on ESP music samplers visit www.espuniversal.com.