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Thursday, 29 July 2010
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This section is dedicated to our love for Salsa music. We'll be reviewing cds that we believe are must have's in your collection.  To see our previous picks click on the archive link in the archive menu on the right.

 

 



Salsa After Dark 2009 CD of the Year: The Latin Giants of Jazz
Featured Artist
The bar for Salsa music releases in 2009 was raised...BIG TIME!
 
The Latin Giants of Jazz, the former Tito Puente Orchestra, released their third CD and it had an instant impact on the airwaves and dance floors around the planet.
 
The band reflected 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 displayed the hard driving New York edge that defined Puente, but more than that, the group shined with his sense of professionalism, integrity, and pride in music.
 
This production featured one of the most versatile and sought after singers in Salsa music today, Frankie Vazquez. Frankie demonstrated commanding improvisational skills and knew how to work "la clave" every time he improvised along with the rest of the all star orchestras lineup.
 
Joining Vazquez on the vocal duties was Cita Rodriguez, daughter of legendary sonero Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Her vocal solo work on "Ahora Mismo" left no doubt she had 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 left 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 rounded 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 got was a "slam dunk" Grammy nomination.
 
The Latin Giants of Jazz proved that their experience and musical insight reigned supreme in the world of big band mambo on Ven Baila Conmigo (Come Dance with Me), delivering dance tracks that sizzled with excitement and jazz moments that would thrill any Latin music fan. 

If I were asked to go to a deserted island and had only 10 CD's to take with me...this one would be the first in the bag.
 
I have all of the Latin Giants of Jazz releases and this one 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!

Image 

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
 
Best of 2009
Music

  2009 was another banner year for new, as well as, established Salsa artists. In our picks for the Best of 2009, 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.


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 2010.

 
These selections are in no particular order of rating. 
We at Salsa After Dark leave that.....up to you....enjoy!


Best Salsa of 2009

  The Latin Giants Of Jazz – Ven Baila Conmigo!/Gigante

Jose Lugo – Guasabra / Sony - Caminalo

DJ Ricky Campanelli – Salsa Como Debe de Sere/Latin Europe Records

The Echo Park Project – El Viernes Social/Echo Park

Orquesta Mazacote – Sasla Para los Rumberos/OLM

C. Monges & R. Mendoza – Historias Paralelas/Cacao Musica

Mario Ortiz Jr. All Star Band – 45 Aniversario/Zamora Music

P.R. Latin Express – Con Nuestro Tumbao/Lujuria

Bataola – Se Formo El Vacilon-F&J Music

Mana – Estamos Gozando, Volume 2/Cookita Productions

Joel Uriola – Prendelo/Cacao Musica

Joel Uriola – Babalawo/Joel Uriola

Gilberto Santa Rosa – Lo Mejor De Gilberto En La Navidad/Sony

Randy Plaza – Legacia De La Salsa/Randy Plaza

Dave Santiago & Latin Affair - Rumbeando En El Solar/D. Santiago

Augustin Arce - The Best Of Agustin Arce And His Orchestra/Rareza

Edgard Nevarez y La Tropica – Back On The Block/Combo

Humberto Alicea – Abran Paso!/Humba Tromba

Guaschara – Influencias/Salsaneo

La Kshamba – Guerreros Del Barrio/Ksahmba


Best of 2009 Classic Salsa 

Tito Rodríguez – El Inolvidable: A Man and His Music


Best of 2009 Afro Cuban Latin Jazz

Wayne Wallace – Bien! Bien!/Patois

Chembo Corniel – Things I Wanted to Do/Chemboro Records

Bobby Sanabria & TMSMO/Kenya Revisited Live/Jazzheads

Mark Levine & the Latin Tinge/Off & On/Left Coast Clave

Paquito D'Rivera & WDR Big Band/Improvise-One/Connector

Orestes Vilató/It's About Time/Rafca

Paquito Hechavarría/Frankly/Calle 54

Manny Silvera – Bassed In America/Origen

Charlie Sepulveda – Sepulveda Blvd./Turnaround

Bobby Carcasses Y Afrojazz Live- Bembedoble/Colibri

John Santos – Perspectiva Fragmentada/Machete Records

Tiempo Libre – Bach in Havana/Sony

Ed Calle – Sax Appeal/G&A

Tata Guines – Manos De Seda/Egrem

Bebo Valdes – Bebo & Cachao/Jazz Cuba Warner

Craig Enright – La Belleza/Craig Enright

The Waitiki 7 – Adventures in Paradise/Pass Out

Brian Lynch Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra/Bolero Nights for Billie Holiday/Venus Records

Miguel Zenón/Esta Plena/Marsalis Music

Edy Martines & His Jazz Orchestra – Midnight Jazz Affair/Jogal Music

DVD Picks 2009

  Latin Music U.S.A – 2 DVD Set - PBS

Tito Puente - The Last: En Concierto – Select-O-Hits

 

 
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