A bite from the Apple

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 1997 by Nelson Rodriguez

Another year has come to an end, for some a happy one and for others, sad. Music has had its ups and downs. Latin jazz has fizzled somewhat, merengue remained strong and so did the salsa scene, particularly the Cuban sound and alternative music. The year began with a powerful Victor Manuelle and has ended with smashing productions by India and Marc Anthony.

World Circuit gets my nod for label of the year with the releases Afro-Cuban All-Stars, Ruben González and the Buena Vista Social Club. While merengue was strong I didn't find one blockbuster production or one act that stood out. As far as radio is concerned it was pretty weak in 1997, especially the commercial stations. One exception was WLXX "La Tropical" in Chicago, directed by the boricua Martin Santiago.

Tito Nieves had a hot crossover year with his I Like It Like That CD. He has completed an all-salsa CD titled Dale Cara A la Vida produced by Ricky González, who also arranged five songs. Ex-Conjunto Clásico composer Ramon Rodríguez also gave Tito two compositions plus an arrangement of Omar Alfanno's Dejame Demostrarte, and by far, the hit is the title track Dale Cara A La Vida.

Trumpeter Humberto Ramírez has a CD slated for 1998 that will include a duet with Victor Manuelle and Domingo Quiñones. Both Victor and Domingo are very good friends who had much to do with the discovery of Michael Stuart, one of 1997's hottest young acts.

While DLG has done very well on the commercial charts with the songs La Quiero A Morir and Juliana, many feel it's not their best work because Sergio George, who has left Sony for Wea Latina, has better stuff on the new label.

Celia Cruz, the Queen of Latin music, is preparing a new salsa CD and has a rare CD called Duets with some classic duos that include the Brazilian legend Caetano Veloso, Willie Colón, India, Dyango, Angela Carrasco, Tito Puente, Cheo Feliciano, Colombian great Matilde Diaz, Johnny Ventura, Oscar D'Leon, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs and José Alberto "El Canario."

The Two Faces Of Eddie Palmieri will showcase salsa and Latin jazz and may include vocals by Wichy Camacho, Domingo Quiñones and Jerry Medina. Jerry Medina should have something new for 1998 as should Descarga Boricua, Tony Vega, Manny Manuel, Jesús Enríquez, Dave Valentín, Frankie Ruiz, Yari Moré (who is relocating to New York), Jerry Galante, Juan Luis Guerra, Isidro Infante, Luis Damon, Brenda K. Starr, Deddie Romero, Tito Rojas, La Makina, Gilberto Santa Rosa, La Banda Loca and El Gran Combo.

Eddie Santiago's new CD Enamorado, pays tribute to the classic hits written by Rafael Hernández. That counts for something.

Kudos to actor Andy Garcia for his constant efforts in supporting our music. I saw him at the L.A. recording of the L.A. Latin Jazz All-Stars led by the great Justo Almario.

Merenguero Ray Perdomo is debuting with a production by Peña Suarzo that also includes the musicians from Suarzo's group La Banda Gorda.

Another merenguero everyone is looking out for is Manny Manuel who will include salsa again in his CD and is being produced by Ramon Orlando in Santo Domingo with Isidro Infante in New York.

The word is that Danny Rivera's hot track Por El Amor De Una Mujer is a scorcher.

Los Dan Den will be in New York and hopefully Los Angeles in December. Booking agents interested in having the band in the West Coast should call me or Latin Beat Magazine.

Salsero Raulin is now being distributed by RMM (Controlate, El Sonero Que El Pueblo Prefiere and Dominicano Para El Mundo.

Adolescent's Orquesta has been one of the hottest acts for DJs at clubs and at WXDJ (Miami) WSKQ (New York) with the hits Anhelo and Persona Ideal. The group now has another hit in Arrepentida.

Marc Anthony has the number one song and CD in the nation that jumped out of the box with 356,000 units and its first day sales could land it in the Billboard Top 200 Albums. It would be the first time a "salsa" album does this.

Pochy Familia y Su Cocoband will now be part of Fonovisa after close to ten years with Kubaney.

Tony Vega has been rescheduled for a 1998 release. It has also been retitled Hoy Quiero Cantarte.

Folk artist José Nogueras has two of his holiday CDs reissued (Para Tu Fiesta and Tiempo Nuevo). These productions include guest appearances by Andy Montañez, Willie Colón and Tito Nieves.

Limi-T XXI has gone back to the roots that made them hot in Puerto Rico many years ago. The CD De Los Que Soy Capaz will surprise many people.

Grupo Heavy's debut CD has gone Gold and will have a DJ exclusive 12" vinyl of the Puerto Rico remix and Tributo A Los Rosario.

Back in 1978 someone recorded Hector Lavoe live somewhere in the United States and sold it to Fania. This CD is a rare recording, recently released, and unique in that it is live, the best way to enjoy this true sonero who was a true friend. The CD includes La Murga, Mi Gente, El Rey De La Puntualidad, Periodico De Ayer, El Cantante, Rompe Saragüey and Juanito Alimaña. A must!

One of my favorite young groups from Cuba is Bamboleo. Check out their new CD Yo No Me Parezco A Nadie. The single Tu Y Yo Somos Una Misma Cosa has many dance remixes available.