A bite from the Apple

Latin Beat Magazine, Dec, 1997 by Nelson Rodriguez

Listening to the new Rey Ruiz Porque Es Amor you can hear that Rey still has it "going on," but then where is the drop in popularity coming from? Production credits go to Rey and trumpeter Guillermo Caldéron. Check out Rey's version of Jon Secada's Mi Angel.

The merengue/house/hip hop world now has another new act, and the first for Universal in Maxima Potencia discovered by producer Jaime Querol. Their debut CD is a bit repetitive but New York clubs will probably jump all over it.

In 1998 there will be a special Cuban series coming out that is currently in the works and includes releases by Orquesta 440, Afro Cuba, Mercedita Valdés, Paulito con Grupo Opus, Celeste Mendoza, a special piano Forte series (top Cuban piano players) and much more. I'll inform you as these releases develop.

RMM'S 10th Anniversary Concert celebrated in New York's Madison Square Garden is now a 2-CD set to be released early this month and there will also be a video. During the concert Cheo Feliciano performed a medley of Ismael Rivera hits arranged by Louis Garcia, and Domingo Quiñones did a tribute to Hector Lavoe. Tito Puente and Giovanni Hidalgo jammed on the track Celebremos with the RMM Orchestra, led by Isidro Infante.

I told you a while back about certain live music recorded in New York by Chucho Valdés, Eddie Palmieri and Jovenes Del Barrio. The projects are now coming out on video.

Kudos to Wherehouse Entertainment for strengthening its presence in the Latin communities in Southern California by developing the Tu Musica concept. Tu Musica is an expanded Latin section in 20 of the chain stores. This will go into effect in 1998 as an experiment.

The hottest romantic album of the moment has to be Alejandro Fernández's Me Estoy Enamorando, with the #1 track Si Tu Supieras. The CD is awesome and a must. Definitely our #1 bolero CD of the year.

Ina kaina's debut CD, La Hija De Nueva York contains the singles You Mean The World To Me, Estupido, Te Equivocaste, La Hija De Nueva York, Mi Varon, Tomame O Dejame, Basta Ya, Punto Final and Soy De Carne Y Hueso. Comparisons to her sister, India, should not be done. They have different styles and different voices.

Fuera De Liga in Puerto Rico has a hot "doble sentido" single in El Marciano on their new CD Me La Pusieron Dificil.

Karis is very hot with the single Manecumbé. Check them out.

In 1998 look for some reissues of hot CDs by Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Celia Cruz, New York Band, Orquesta De La Luz, Tito Puente Presents Millie P., Los Hermanos Moreno, Humberto Ramírez and Miles Peña. Many of these have not been available for over three years.

For Christmas don't forget to pick up classic music by Machito, Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez, Benny Moré, El Gran Combo, Conjunto Clásico, Willie Rosario, Willie Colón with Hector Lavoe, Ismael Rivera, Fania All-Stars, Barretto, Cal Tjader, Louie Ramírez, Cheo Feliciano, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, Celia Cruz and more. See you in February.