Mood
Some truths of life that are affecting my mind space today. Life can be a constant up and down cycle..you just have to ride it out! After surviving a tough period of time where sure things have changed and some juicy repeat business dries up, I’m looking forward to working more rewarding projects and dates this year. I have to be optimistic because when one door closes, another one opens. You just have to be ready to plunge in. I haven’t been writing much lately but I’m writing today. Funny how life works that way. It’s always easy to point fingers, swear at people and blame everyone for your problems. Solving your problems is always the hard work. So please forgive me for not writing much, I’m busy solving my problems. Music is the point of this blog…really. However, one page devoted to self therapy is ok. I promise I won’t make a habit of...
read moreSXSW 2013
South By Southwest 2013 was an eye opener as SXSW continues to grow and get crazier. Now every time that you catch an act, you miss 20 instead of 10 acts that you want to see at the same time. Also cooperate interests are continuing to show a strong presence at SXSW such as the Doritos stage. Big headliners with special lotteries for admission are showing a big presence such as Prince, Justin Timberlake, Green Day, Dave Grohl’s Sound City Players with all stars such as Stevie Nicks and John Fogerty, Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and others. SXSW also continues to be an industry conference whose speakers are full of such hot shot respected figures such as Clive Davis and artist interviews with Eric Burdon and new sensations MacKelmore and Ryan Lewis. More to report coming...
read moreGrammy 2013 Post Mortem
I watched the 2013 edition of the Grammys last night. It was an overly long show full of the good and ugly moments that make up the Grammys. Among the fine surprises were the tribute to Bob Marley which included Bruno Mars, Sting and Rhianna along with Marley’s sons Ziggy and Damian….Blues rock titans The Black Keys joined by a colorful Dr. John in full New Orleans voodoo headdress along with the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band….Jazz masters Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Kenny Garrett jammin’ without a drummer…so sublime! Who could also forget JLo’s leg, Katy Perry’s cleavage, Nas’s cool tux, Ellen DeGeneres making Beyonce nervous, Folk revivalists Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers demonstrating why they are hot right now, Wiz Kalifa’s cool take on the 80’s Boy George hat, guest presenter Prince making a fashion statement in a black hoodie ensemble and carrying a silver cane and Juanes showing off his singer/songwriter side in English. There were plenty of cheesy moments that was the subject of all my facebook friends who were wickedly putting down the badly sung songs, the blown jokes by star presenters who should know better and all the other absurdities that was part of the broadcast. But isn’t that what The Grammys are all about? Not really. There were categories that we didn’t see on TV that were important to some of us. It would have been nice to see some Latin music in the mix this year. Some of our fine local artists, musicians and producers in all genres were nominated this year. They didn’t make it to 3 1/2 hours of television glitz. What the Grammys are is just entertainment. The real substance behind the music and the most exciting music out today doesn’t make it to our TV screens. For a fleeting moment, host LL Cool J’s throwback to hard core rap with Public Enemy’s Chuck D, guitar whiz Tom Morello, dj QTip and Blink 42 drummer Travis Barker just made it before the closing credits were ran. That’s the Grammy’s for...
read moreUnder ReConstruction
Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I have posted on my blog. A lot of sickness has hit my home and I have been affected. I haven’t had a lot to say since I have been on a personal and professional reconstruction of sorts. In some ways, it’s befitting to a start of a new year: the closing of some doors and the opening of other new exciting possibilities. The letting go of old, now toxic, things and relationships and the nurturing of new ways and roads that will support my future growth and development even at this stage of my life. I still have a lot to say and comment on and that will be reflected on future posts. If you are still out there, thanks for putting up with me. I’m not dead. I just want my posts to resonate with some weight, knowledge that I want to pass on and relevancy. I’ll be back...
read moreCasa Sanchez On A Friday Night
San Francisco’s Mission District is the home of Casa Sanchez restaurant located near the corner of York and 24th Street. Latin Jazz and Salsa is featured every Friday night starting at 7 pm in the small, cramped dining room that is full of good vibes. Fine Mexican food is offered such as the Carne Asada Tampiquena or Enchiladas En Mole. Last Friday, I checked out conguero Adrian Areas and his solid Latin Jazz quartet performing a spirited repertoire that included classic compositions by Mongo Santamaria and Wayne Shorter. The colorful Chepito Areas, former Santana timbalero, was holding court at the bar among a group of friends and customers who were cheering on his son Adrian. Only in the...
read moreHappy New Year Resolution
A New Year marks another chance to start anew. Another shot at getting it right from the jump. I have a feeling this year is my time to reboot this page dedicated to music and life. It is a temptation to get lazy as one gets older so I’m challenging myself to stay stimulated and write often in this space.
read moreTop Salsa-Latin Jazz-Afro Cuban Music Picks 2012
Hi Everyone, the following are my picks for the best recordings of 2012. I focus on Salsa, Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban music which is presented on my radio program “Con Sabor” on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM. I’ve enjoyed sharing these recordings with you on my program. I hope that you pick up one of these titles for your collection. I wish you Happy Holidays! ARTIST/TITLE/LABEL EDDIE MONTALVO “DESDE NUEVA YORK A PUERTO RICO” – SENOR MARCHA CHEO FELICIANO/RUBEN BLADES “EBA SAY AJA” – ARIEL RIVAS MUSIC RALPH IRRIZARY Y LOS VIEJOS DE LA SALSA “VIEJOS PERO SABROSOS” – BKS LA EXCELENCIA “ECOS DEL BARRIO” – HANDLE WITH CARE SANTIAGO ALL STARS “JOYA Y RAREZA” – HASBUN PRODUCTIONS MARLOW ROSADO Y LA RIQUENA “RETRO” – PINK CHAOS CUBANA ALL STARS “A DREAM COME TRUE” – VCM BAILATINO “ANIVERSARIO” – PRODUCE KORTA SEPTETO SANTIAGUERO “VAMOS PA’ LA FIESTA” – PICAP PACIFIC MAMBO ORCHESTRA “PMO” – PACIFIC MAMBO ALEXANDER ABREU/HAVANA D’PRIMERA “PASAPORTE” – BIS PAPO VASQUEZ “OASIS” – PICARO WILSON CHEMBO CORNIEL “AFRO BLUE MONK” – CHEMBORO CHARANSALSA “PA’L MI PUEBLO” – CHARANSALSA TOP RELEASES FROM LATE 2011 INTO 2012 VARIOUS SONO SONO TITE CURET – BANCO POPULAR MICHAEL STUART “TRIBUTO A LOUIE RAMIREZ” – RLM NG LA BANDA MIS 22 ANOS –...
read moreEl Gran Combo visits…
This Saturday, December 15th, the iconic El Gran Combo visits the San Francisco Bay Area celebrating their 50th Anniversary at Cafe Cocomo. This group that was created by members of Rafael Cortijo’s orquesta back in 1962 brings their trademark sound that has launched a galaxy of hits throughout their illustrious career. Their leader, pianist/musical director Rafael Ithier will conduct the Combo but has stopped performing live as their pianist a number of years ago (the esteemed pianist/producer Willie Sotelo has taken Ithier’s place in live performance). Their front line of vocalists Charlie Aponte, Jerry Rivas (who took over Andy Montanez’s place back in the 70’s) and Papo Rosario have been performing as a team since that time. The band has always been a tight unit who performs with precision, style and fire. This is the classic Rolls Royce of Salsa from Puerto Rico but always with the love and heart of their public fueling this classic hit making...
read moreThings To Do And Listen To…December 2012
Scenes to look out for during December: El Gran Combo will be bringing their 50th Anniversary tour to Cafe Cocomo on Saturday, December 15th. Pepe Y Su Orquesta will be opening the show. The last time that El Gran Combo played at Cocomo, it was packed to the brim. Expect the same. You may want to get your tickets at www.cafecocomo.com. Pete Escovedo will be celebrating the next year at Yoshis in Oakland from Friday, Dec. 28 through New Years Eve. His sons Peter Michael Escovedo and Juan Escovedo will join him along with his big band playing his brand of Latin Jazz, Salsa and those fabulous Azteca classics. Timbalero extraordinare Eric Rangel has led his Orquesta America for the past two decades and is a staple of the SF Bay Area Salsa scene having played with Conjunto Cespedes, Salsa Caliente, Conjunto Rovira and others. He has been recently diagnosed with throat cancer and is undergoing surgery and treatment. There will be a benefit/tribute to Eric by former bandmates and friends at El Vacilon in Treasure Island on Sunday, December 16 from 4 to 11 pm with the likes of Avance, Borinquen, Candela, Pepe Gonzalez, Julio Bravo and other special guests. DJ Carlitos Way and yours truly will be spinning in-between sets. Proceeds to offset medical costs. New cd’s out now by Diego Gale, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Sammy Gonzalez, Alberto Barros, Alexander Abreu y Havana D’Primera, Victor Manuelle, Papo Vasquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours, Poncho Sanchez, Pete Escovedo, Septeto Santiaguero, DJ Ricky Campanelli, N’Klabe, NG2, Tito Puente’s six cd box set and more. Hopefully you already have your copy of the Eddie Montalvo, Bailatino and Chembo Corniel recordings that have been out for a little while...
read moreVenezuela’s Bailatino-Explosive music 4 your collection
Bailatino, one of the finest of Venezuela’s contemporary Salsa orchestras have put out their latest recording “Aniversario”. Their horn sound is defined by their two trombone and flute attack. Veteran percussionist Jose “Cheo” Navarro leads this fine band through a swinging repertoire of Salsa, Descarga, Cha Cha and Latin Jazz. Edgar “Dolor” Quijada (what a great nickname for a vocalist) leads Bailatino’s charged vocal trio throughout the entire cd. Venezuela has some of the finest musicians playing in the Salsa and Latin Jazz genres. Bailatino keeps raising the bar in terms of bringing interesting and challenging arrangements to compliment their ferocious swing. This is evident in “Aniversario” when you listen to a tune such as “Donde Estara Margot” (the single from the cd) or “La Vampira”. Do not overlook this cd among the many fine new Salsa recordings that this season has to offer. This is worth seeking...
read moreLive Appearances
Follow Luis on
Follow Luis on