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Review of Latin Giants of Jazz |
The bar for
Salsa music releases for 2009 has just been raised...BIG TIME!
The Latin
Giants of Jazz, the former Tito Puente Orchestra, have released their third CD
and it has had an instant impact on the airwaves and dance floors around the
planet.
The band
reflects a part of the "Puente" legacy. Many members of the group spent decades
performing with Tito Puente, and the influence shows in many ways.
They display
the hard driving New York edge that defined Puente, but more than that,
the group shines with his sense of professionalism, integrity, and pride in
music.
This
production features one of the most versatile and sought after singers in Salsa
music today, Frankie Vazquez. Frankie demonstrates commanding improvisational
skills and knows how to work "la clave" every time he improvises along with the
rest of the all star orchestras lineup.
Joining
Vazquez on the vocal duties is Cita Rodriguez, daughter of legendary sonero
Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Her vocal solo work on "Ahora Mismo" leaves no doubt she has
the lineage of her father's vocal styling and has a bright future as a solo
artist.
Also,
coristas Marco Bermudez, George Maldonado and Willie Martinez leave no doubt
that every facet of this recording was well thought out before getting into the
studio.
Excellent
arrangements, crisp percussion work by Jose Madera (Timbal), Johnny Rodriguez (Bongo & Bell) and
George Delgado (Conga). Longtime
pianist for Tito's Orchestras is Sonny Bravo and he is joined on this
production by bassist Gerardo Madera who together round out a rhythm section
that is among the best in Latin music today. Mix in a 15 piece horn section
(see below) and what you have is a "slam dunk" Grammy nomination.
The Latin
Giants of Jazz prove that their experience and musical insight reign supreme in
the world of big band mambo on Ven Baila Conmigo (Come Dance with Me),
delivering dance tracks that sizzle with excitement and jazz moments that would
thrill any fan.
If I were
asked to go to a deserted island and had only 10 CD's to take with me...this one
is the first in the bag.
I have all of
the Latin Giants of Jazz releases and this is absolutely the best...so far. The
project provides a perfect blend of Latin Jazz and Salsa for you listening and
dancing pleasure. Whether you are a novice or a connoisseur of Latin music,
working DJ in club setting or a radio program host, this is a must have to add
your library.
Que viva la
musica!
Que viva...the
late great King of Latin Music...Tito Puente
Que viva...The
Latin Giants of Jazz!
Song titles include:
Lo Que Traigo Es Salsa 5:40
Ven Baila
Conmigo 4:43
I Still Love
You 6:08
Gua Cha Rumba 6:07
Ahora Mismo 5:33
Tengo Que Conformarme 7:11
Cookin' The Mambo 4:09
Dime Quien Eres 5:43
Si El Mar Se Volviera Ron 5:52
Increible 5:46
Cannology 3:33
La Batidora Meneadora 6:46
Cuando Suenan Los Cueros 5:27
Musicians include:
Kevin Bryan
Trumpet
John Walsh
Trumpet
Pete Nater Trumpet
Richie Viruet
Trumpet
Guido
Gonzalez Trumpet
Bobby
Porcelli, Todd Bashore Saxophones
Lawrence
Feldman, Mitch Frohman Saxophones
Sam Burtis,
Reynaldo Jorge Trombones
Lewis Kahn,
Noah Bless Trombones
Peter Brainen Saxophone
Pete Miranda Saxophone
Sonny Bravo Piano
Gerardo Madera Bass
George Delgado Congas, percussion
John Rodriguez Bongos, percusion
Jose Madera Timbales, percussion
Frankie Vazquez Lead vocals
Cita Rodriguez, Marco Bermudez Vocal, coro
George
Maldonado, Willie Martinez Coro
"Remember....an
Artist creates the music....but the DJ delivers the message!"
Ray Cruz
Sabor Tropical - Hawaii Public Radio - KIPO 89.3 FM
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Salsa After Dark - The Best of 2008!
2008 has been another banner year for new, as well as,
established Salsa artists. In our picks for the Best of 2008, you might
recognize some of the artists as they continually record good music for the
dance floors and radio. Some are new artists that even the connoisseur's of good salsa music
wouldn't recognize if they saw them in their favorite record store displays or
at listening stations.
A special thanks goes out to the
Fania E-Musica label for their excellent efforts in re-mastering the recordings that made Salsa
what is today...an international phenomenon. Whole new generations of Salsa
enthusiasts are getting to hear these artists and hear for themselves what some
refer to as the "Golden Age of Salsa".
We are definitely looking forward
to more good music being recorded and to the growth of the Salsa and Afro Cuban
- Latin Jazz genres in 2009.
These selections are in no
particular order of rating.
We at Salsa After Dark leave that.....up
to you....enjoy!
Salsa
Jose Lugo -
Guasabara - Sony Norte / Caminalo
Jerry
Medina & Pedro Brull - Estacion Candela - Envidia
Sammy
Garcia y El Sabor De P.R. - Por Buen Camino - Codiscos
New Swing Sextet - Back on The Streets Vol.#2 -
Fania/Universal
Jesus Pagan
y su Orquesta - Salsa De La Mata - EGJ Records
Johnny
Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad - Salsa Para El Mundo Entero - JPAM
Various Artists - Salsa, A Musical History 4 CD Set - Fania
E-Musica
3D Ritmo De
Vida - Que Siga La Rumba - Gotham Music
Orquesta
Antonetti - Sigue El Paso - M & A Music
Alex Wilson
- Salsa Con Soul - Alex Wilson Records
Willy Torres - Lo Que Traigo Yo - Willy's NYC Salsa Project
- Latin Street Music
Orquesta
Magia Caribena - Llego La Salsa II Parte - MCR
Charansalsa
- Para Bailar y Gozar - Muziq Records
Nestor Torres - Nouveau Latino - Diamond Light Records
Randy Plaza
- Legacia De La Salsa - Randy Plaza
Luis Dicupe
- Dicupe II - Luis Dicupe
Bronx
Orquesta - Pisando Fuerte - Zazon
David
Cedeno - Afinando y Afincando - Evoda Libertad
El Klan -
Manifestación Musical Urbana Del Caribe -
Porfi/Vibra
Deldongo -
Pueblo Populaire - Deldongo
DLG -
Renacer - La Calle Records
Gloria
Estefan - 90 Millas - Sony BMG Burgandy
Jerry
Medina & Pedro Brull - Estacion Candela - Envidia
Rick
Capanelli - Salsa Como Debe De Ser - Ricky Capanelli
Black Sugar Sextet - Estamos Azucar - Latin Sound Records
Orquesta Miramar - Volviendo A Raices - Afinque/Lamiramar
Afro -
Cuban Latin Jazz
Luis Mario
Ochoa - Momentos Cubanos - Cuban Music Productions
Gilberto "Pulpo" Colon
- Pulpo's Hot Bread - The Mambo Project
Paquito D'Rivera - Spice it Up! The Best of Paquito D'Rivera
- Chesky
Bebo Valdes & Javier Colina - Live at the Village
Vanguard - Sony Norte / Calle 54
Wayne Wallace - The Nature of the Beat - Patois
Sacha -
Simply Sacha - Diva Latina Productions
Steven
Kroon - El Mas Alla (Beyond) -
Kroonatune Records
The Caribbean Jazz Project - Afro-Bop Alliance - Heads Up
Conrad Herwig - The Latin Side of Wayne Shorter - Half Note Records
Miguel Zenon - Awake - Marsalis Music
Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra - Song
For Chico - Zoho
Edy Martinez
& His Jazz Orchestra - Midnight Jazz Affair - Import
Nestor Torres - Nouveau Latino - Diamond Light Records
Hot House - Cuban Tribute To Charlie Parker - Hot House
Latin Giants of Jazz - Trip To Mamboland - Gigante Records
Willie Martinez & La Familia Sextet - After Winter,
Spring - Cuch Be Witcha Prod.
Charlie Sepulveda & The Turnaround - Turnaround
Fania E-Musica Remastered Series
Tito Puente - The Complete 78's Volumes 1&2
Hector
LaVoe - Tu Bien Lo Sabes
The House That Al Built - The Alegre Records Story: 1957 -
1977 2CD Set
NYC Salsa: The Incendiary Sound
Of Latin New York -
Volumes 1-2-3
Salsa: A Musical History - 4CD Set
Ruben Blades - Poeta Del Pueblo
Ray Barretto - Que Viva La Musica
Willie Colon - Siembra - 30th Anniversary Edition
Celia Cruz & Tito Puente - Algo Especial
Para Recordar
Fania All Stars - Campeones: A
Band And Their Music
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Roots of Salsa - Top 100 Salsa CDs of All Time |
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From an article first published by Primera Hora a newspaper in Puerto Rico that features a series of exposes on the "History of Salsa" here is a listing of their Top 100 Salsa CD's of all time. The list was compiled by writers, musicians and musicologists. Here for your enjoyment is their Top 100!
1. Tito
Puente – Para Los Rumberos
2. Tito Puente – Dancemania
3. Tito Puente – Cuando Suenan Los Tambores
4. Machito – Carambola
5. Machito feat. Lalo Rodriguez – Fireworks
6. Tito Rodriguez – El Doctor
7. Joe Cuba Sextette – Comin’ At You
8. Charlie Palmieri – Heavyweight & Electro Duro
9. Cortijo y Su Combo – Bueno…Y Que?
10. Ismael Rivera – Eclipse Total
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