Happy New Year 2015! Make sure that you have these recordings!
Happy New Year! I just celebrated the 18th anniversary of my radio program Con Sabor which is on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM. (Emiliano Echeverria’s program Radio Cuba Canta fills in for Con Sabor every last Saturday of the month). On the program, I also listed some of the best recordings of 2014. If you didn’t listen last Saturday, here is a list of recordings that you should have picked up on during this past year: Herman Olivera “La Voz Del Caribe-Hecho En Venezuela” – Salsaneo Mario Ortiz All Star Band “50 Aniversario” – All Star Don Perignon Y La Orquesta Puertorriquena “Musica Maestro” – Don Records Conjunto Barrio “Somos Del Barrio-Ya Llego Conjunto Barrio” – EGJ Charlie Santiago y Salsabor “El Que Toca Es Salsabor” – Charlie Santiago Los Hermanos Colon “Presentan Sabor Colon” – Muziq Los Van Van (last recording with Juan Formell) “La Fantasia” – Van Van Cecilia Noel “Havana Rocks” – Compass Mayito Rivera “Alma De Sonero” – Connector Pupy Y Los Que Son Son “Sin Limite” – BIS Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son “Respeto Pa’ Los Mayores” – BIS Steven Pouchie “North By Northeast” – Latin Jazz Alive Ernesto Oveido/John Santos Sextet “Siempre Clasico” – Machete Spanish Harlem Orchestra “Spanish Harlem Orchestra” – Artist Share Volcan (Gonzalo Rubalcaba/Giovanni Hidalgo/Horacio Hernandez/Armando Gola “Volcan” – 5 Pasion Ismael Miranda “Son 45” – IM Records Ricardo Lemvo Y Makina Loca “La Rumba Soy Yo” – Cumbancha Various Artists “Salsa De La Bahia-Vol. 2 – Hoy Y Ayer” – Patois Marco Diaz “Life Notes” – Marco Diaz Jamie Dubberly/Orquesta Dharma “La Clave Del Gumbo” – Jamie Dubberly ...
Read MoreOrestes Vilato: Rare Club appearance In The SF Bay
The Bay Area has been enjoying a renaissance of great Salsa and Latin Jazz for years now. We have been lucky to have great musicians reside in the area for decades. One of the creme de la creme that we are blessed to have in this area is all-star percussionist Orestes Vilato. This gentleman needs no introduction as his mark has been made on countless recordings under his own name and in association with such luminaries as Santana, Tipica 73 and on the classic Ritmo Y Candela with Changuito and Patato Valdes to name a few. Orestes is a graduate of the classic NY scene going back to the 1960’s. Orestes an alumni of Ray Barretto’s charanga and salsa bands and an original member of the Fania All Stars. Vilato made a recent rare club appearance at the new Elevate Wednesday scene located at the Berkeley Underground club (site of the old Mr. E’s). He was joined by an all-star quintet made up of John Santos, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra and vocalist Orlando Torriente. The size of Orestes’s group didn’t matter, their music was danceable and explosive as evidenced by a packed dance floor of sweaty and smiling bailadores! Vilato displayed his flawless technique on timbales and bongo as he was locked into the effortless groove that Santos and company performed on stage. I was impressed with their impeccable taste and showmanship as they turned standards such as “Cachita” and “Maria Cervantes” into swinging romps topped by Torriente’s passionate soneos (vocal improvisations). The crowd sensed that they were witnessing something extraordinary by the excitement and the “vibes” that were felt at the club that evening. It isn’t often that you see a legendary master as Vilato in a club setting…it was delicious to the ear and the feet....
Read MoreCuba, Obama y Cultura
President Obama’s announcement that the United States is opening up communications, trade and travel with Cuba is a great surprise. It certainly is a welcome step in the right direction to wider access to Cuban culture for many Americans. As a broadcaster, journalist and supporter of Cuban music for many years, this means that we will have the opportunity to enjoy more live concerts from great Cuban artists and greater access to recordings, films, art and culture. San Francisco Bay Area residents have been treated to great Cuban music since Los Papines and Grupo Moncada visited this area back in the 1970’s. These visits increased in the 1990’s with the visit of Pablo Menendez’s Mezcla and Irakere West featuring Chucho Valdez, Carlos Del Puerto, Carlos Emilio Morales, Enrique Pla and surprise guest Bebo Valdes. In the mid to late 1990’s, the tireless efforts of attorney Bill Martinez (who has secured countless visas for visiting Cuban artists) and his partner media professional Arturo Riera whose joint production group Latino Media Partners brought Los Van Van, Jesus Alemany’s Cubanismo, NG La Banda, Maraca and others to the Bay Area. Countless artists such as Silvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes to today’s hot stars Havana d’Primera have come to visit us. Not to mention the many contributions of great Cuban musicians that reside in the Bay Area to our music scene such as Orestes Vilato, Fito Reinoso, Jesus Diaz, Carlos Caro, Tito Gonzalez and many others. Now this news marks a new pathway to greater dialogue and exchange between the United States and Cuba. I’m excited that I will see this change during my lifetime. Vaya!!!...
Read MoreCiao Cafe Cocomo
Cafe Cocomo, renowned SF Salsa palace since 1997 closed their doors in September. The club that devoted 5 nights to presenting Salsa music boasted a huge dance floor, a adjacent lounge with a smaller dance floor, an upstairs VIP area, patio and a large stage. Performers that appeared at the club included El Gran Combo, Oscar D’Leon, Pupy Y Los Que Son Son, David Calzado’s Charanga Habanera, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez, Sonora Carruselles and others. The club also presented the best local bands and top notch DJ’s. I was a resident DJ at the club for more than a decade. The closing weekend featuring some of Cocomo’s favorite and big draws: Louie Romero & Mazacote with special guest Anthony Blea, Julio Bravo & Salsabor and Orquesta Borinquen with guest Doug Beavers who relocated to NYC. During a heartfelt speech from the stage, Cocomo’s Sri Lankan owner Drew said that his heart was into the music and the crowd that supported the club throughout the many years that it was open. Now Cocomo is added to the great venues that have ran their course into SF nightlife history. Drew and the Cocomo crew have opened a new but smaller venue “Playa SF” in the old Cannery in the Fisherman’s Wharf...
Read MoreMario Ortiz All Star Band Rides High Again
MARIO ORTIZ ALL STAR BAND 50 ANIVERSARIO ALL STAR Trumpeter/Bandleader Mario Ortiz Jr. pays tribute to his late father, PR music icon Mario Ortiz with a powerful followup to his debut “45 Aniversario” which came out a few years ago. This recording’s strength lies in the material which is beautifully performed by Ortiz’s top notch band. A who’s who of guest stars including Ismael Miranda, Victor Manuelle, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Andy Montanez and Giovanni Hidalgo join to help elevate the material to the sublime. This is Salsa at it’s finest. This recording is a knock...
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