Ragga Muffins Go Crazy at Mezzanine
I knew that there were many Reggaeton fans out there but fans of Reggae En Espanol? You bet! The hip trendy club Mezzanine featured 3 out of the biggest acts in the genre: Cultura Profetica, Gondwana, Los Cafres along with locally based Bayonics at the Reggae Latino 2011 Fest. The place was packed with mostly young people who danced, screamed, jumped, cheered and raised their drinks up in the air to party to their heroes on stage. DJ Stepwise kept the heads bobbing in-between the breaks. Cultura lived up to their headline status with a dynamic set featuring their potent politically charged dance music. Los Cafres’ charismatic vocalist had the crowd pumped up while the band slammed down their ragga dub beats. The Bay Area’s own Bayonics, in true chameleon form stuck to the Reggae theme of the evening, held their own with a powerful opening set. I missed Gondwana but caught a lot of the island love before I left the club thanks to Adrian Goddard of Jaffe...
read moreWillie Colon In The House!!
What a week! Caught Willie Colon in one of his very rare SF Bay Area appearances at the 10th Annual San Francisco Salsa Congress at the Oakland Marriott. Colon, who has a notorious reputation for being unpredictable, played a phenomenal set. Backed by a top notch band and a powerful horn section boasting 2 trombones and sax, Willie was splendid on lead vocals, trombone and bass trumpet (one of his featured instruments since the late 70’s which sounds like a trombone). He thrilled the crowd with his opening medley of his early hits with Hector LaVoe. His trombone playing was strong blasting out monas as he did 40 or more years ago. He was also in fine voice as he performed songs from various periods of his long career with passion, style and power. Colon doesn’t visit us very often but this was definitely a musical...
read moreLatin Grammylicious
I’m checked out the Latin Grammys on TV on Thursday night. I watched as the current crop of hot recording stars who are enjoying massive success such as Shakira, Romeo Santos singing a duet with Usher, Pitbull with Marc Anthony, Christian Castro, Pepe Aguilar and Disney rehab comeback princess Demi Lovato entertained with gusto. This 3 hour awards ceremony/spectacular is your traditional long drawn out affair with “highlights” that were either dope, corny or awful. Calle 13 accepted the award for record of the year with Residente and their crew as they seized the moment to make a political statement supporting the current student protest movements in Chile and Puerto Rico. I had to endure Alejandra Guzman and Franco De Vita as they sang an insipid ballad that was nominated for song of the year. Co-host singer/actress Lucero and the Muppets own Kermit The Frog introduced the hot Mexican norteno band Intocable. Pitbull and guest Marc Anthony performed their hit duet surrounded by an over abundance of scantily clad women..some wearing bikinis and some were being showered by water! So much for a “top notch” awards show. Oh well, there’s always next...
read moreBe ready to bring your dance shoes 2 my shows
I will be the guest DJ at the new Sabor Salsa monthly happening next week in Marin County at Georges Nightclub, 842 Fourth Street in San Rafael on Thursday, November 17 starting at 9 pm. I will be putting it in the mix with my blend of Salsa Dura, Mambo, Musica Cubana, Merengue, a taste of Bachata y mucho mas for all the salseros and salseras. Georges has been featuring live salsa each month since August featuring bands such as Orquesta Borinquen, Avance and Julio Bravo y Salsabor. I’ll be bringing the Con Sabor wall of sound as featured during my nights at Cafe Cocomo. Speaking of Cafe Cocomo, I will be the dj this Saturday, November 12 as the 19 piece Pacific Mambo Orchestra celebrates their one year anniversary. This great big band is led by pianist Christian Tumulan (Montuno Swing) and trumpeter Stefen Kuehn (Mazacote). Be ready to bring your dance...
read moreOscar D’Leon – Still A Superman!
I had the opportunity to run over to Roccapulco after my radio show on KPFA to catch the living salsa legend, Oscar D’ Leon last Saturday. D’Leon is one of the premier performers in Latin music….a tireless, consummate showman whose live shows are legendary and whose sets last two to three hours at least. I arrived at Roccapulco once D’Leon started his set. At 68, Oscar D’Leon looks good for someone who has survived 4 heart attacks and a few scandals throughout his long career…his voice more powerful than ever and his body strong and robust as he performed his dance moves with the boundless energy of someone half his age. He is a performer that solidly connects with his audience whether he is singing to an admiring fan, signing autographs, taking notes from fans or on the receiving end of a bra thrown on stage from a smitten female. D’Leon sang an impressive range of material from his big hits such as “Calculadora” to Mexican rancheras to boleros. A tune or two bordered on schlock for my taste, but it was his brand of Salsa that consistently had the crowd going with expert backup from his solid orchestra of veterans. Although he was constantly covered in sweat, D’Leon didn’t let it bother him at all as he gave 150% for his audience. He hardly took any break as he went from one tune to the next to the delight of fans and dancers alike. This was the kind of show that reminds you why a legend such as D’Leon is still loved and appreciated...
read moreDiego El Cigala triumphs at Zellerbach
The anticipation was high at Zellerbach Auditorium for the debut of the renowned flamenco vocalist Diego El Cigala at the Bay Area Flamenco Festival. The lines at the box office were so backed up due to an internal snafu that caused the show to start one hour late. However, once the long haired and bearded El Cigala stepped on stage and started to sing, the crowd who hassled to get in the show thawed out as he took them under his spell. His distinctive voice was as grand as were his hand gestures which he used to direct the band. His group consisted of exceptional players such as guitarist Diego Del Morao (son of Flamenco guitar legend Moraito), pianist Jaime Calabuch Jumitus, bassist/vocalist Yelsy Heredia, percussionist Sabu Porrina and violinist Bernardo Parrilla. They joined Cigala in different configurations from duo to full band to perform the variety of flamenco, tango and boleros that was presented that evening. Cigala sang captivating versions of great songs such as his classic version of “Lagrimas Negras” from his 2003 Grammy award collaboration with Bebo Valdes. El Cigala gave so much of himself during this performance displaying both the strength and tenderness of his expressive voice. He was touched by the Bay Area audience who cheered him on and brought him back on for 3 encores. What a phenomenal...
read moreCatching Calle 13 On Their Own Terms
One of the cutting edge groups who started during the Reggaeton craze and who has left that genre way behind is Puerto Rico’s own Calle 13. Led by step brothers rapper/lyricist Residente (Rene Perez Joglar) and multi-instrumentalist Visitante (Eduardo Martinez), Calle 13 has defied being pigeonholed by creating original politically and socially charged music that isn’t easily labeled as hip hop, reggaeton, electronica, pop or electronica. They create sophisticated dance music that speaks to the mind as well as the feet. The duo has been nominated for 10 Latin Grammys for their latest recording “Entren Los Que Quieran”. Calle 13 brought their highly anticipated show to The Fillmore last week. After making the crowd wait more than an hour, a shirtless Residente stormed on the stage, showed off his rippled abs and fired off rhymes like smoking bullets. He was backed by a full tight band consisting of drums, bass, guitar, two horns, female rapper (their sister Iliana “PG-13”) and two percussionists led by Visitante on guitar, keyboards and electronics. Residente led the sold out Fillmore crowd on a exuberant call and response on many recognizable tunes from their past recordings as well as “Entren Los Que Quieran”. Although the energy of the show recalled a high wired hip hop show, the music reflected the many diverse influences that Calle 13 integrate into their sound. Hopefully after the great reception that they received at The Fillmore, Calle 13 will be back to visit us more often....
read moreOrquesta Aragon – Down Memory Lane
The scene at Yoshi’s was highly charged caused by an irresistible catalyst on stage that had the dance floor packed and excited people moving in their seats. Orquesta Aragon, Cuba’s beloved classic charanga (band emphasizing flute and violins) who celebrated 72 years of playing together was back in town. Aragon, well known and loved for their songs that are part of the Cuban songbook such as “El Bodeguero” took the audience down memory lane and back to performing a modern day timba done in their own explosive yet elegant style. Orquesta Aragon kept their strong dance groove strong mixing great cha cha chas with guaracha, son, danzon and timba. The orquesta featuring 5 violins(!), flute, piano, bass and 3 singers sounded tight as they played with swing, virtuosity, precision and grace. The band led by violinist Rafael Lay Jr. are seasoned pros who also know when to improvise with gusto they demonstrated during their classic “Pare Cochero”. They were so good that I savored each note of music that hit my ears with a deeper appreciation for this musical institution. I look forward to their next visit because they are such a treat for the senses and my...
read moreSalsa Mayor takes over Cocomo
Pianist Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor hit the SF area this past Friday to a full house at Cafe Cocomo. Representing the new energy in Timba, Cuba’s contemporary dance music, Salsa Mayor did not disappoint. They were similar to other great timba bands in their formation: 4 vocalists with distinctive personalities, keyboards, 2 trombones, 2 trumpets, drum kit with timbales, congas, guiro, bass and Blanco. Maykel Blanco ran the stage like a man possessed: he would play his piano, run to different parts of the stage to physically give his band directions when he needed the band to pump it up and jumped on the microphone to get the crowd going. The front line of fine vocalists: Yasser, Michel (who sang last time with Pupy), Livan and Yordir fired up the crowd with their strong voices, inventive choreography, call and response and interplay but with youthful sexually charged energy to spare – all of them must be in their twenties although the baby faced Livan may even be younger than 20. Although in existence for 6 years, Blanco has reaped massive hits, exposure through his video clips and has traveled to 22 countries gaining recognition and respect. The band was well rehearsed and tight driving the audience to the dance floor and the ladies to the front of the stage. It was a spectacular debut. No doubt we’ll be having return visits from this young...
read morenew month for bright moments
(Originally posted on October 1, 2011) The fall season is here and the anticipation was high for the appearances of Maykel Blanco Y Su Salsa Mayor, Orquesta Aragon and Oscar D’ Leon who are all visiting the SF Bay Area in October. What a contrast in styles as Maykel Blanco represents the young energy in contemporary Cuban dance music which is Timba. His band Salsa Mayor has a solid reputation as one of Cuba’s most exciting live acts both for their showmanship and music. The legendary Orquesta Aragon represents the undying tradition of classic Cuban dance music. The champagne of Cuban charanga (a band that emphasizes the flute and violin sound instead of brass) has existed for 72 years now under the direction of violinist Rafael Lay Jr. Expect Cuban music of the highest order played with elegance and virtuosity. Venezuela’s legendary vocalist/bassist/powerhouse Oscar D’ Leon has been thrilling audiences for 40 years since he was first noticed with Dimension Latina. One of Salsa’s greatest soneros, D’Leon is an impeccable showman whose two to three hour tour de force sets are of salsa aficionado’s legend. Although he has had his health issues and setbacks, D’Leon is bringing his orquesta to seduce us once again with his powerful voice and swinging...
read moreLive Appearances
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