2010

Blessed to Live In The Bay Area – 2010 Edition

Posted on Jan 14, 2010

I am truly blessed to live in one of the music meccas of the United States where I can enjoy artists from all over the world. The SF Bay Area boasts an incredible slew of talent as well as being a port where major talent visits us on a consistent basis. During these first two months of the new year, we will have Salsa, Cuban and Latin Jazz music concerts in this area by the likes of emerging Cuban piano star Alfredo Rodriguez, the Puerto Rico Golden All Stars with Eric Figueroa (of Batacumbele fame), Richie Flores, Endel Dueno, Ramon Vasquez and the legendary flamboyant violinist Alfredo De La Fe, Issac Delgado, Eddie Santiago, Victor Manuelle, the second annual Salsa Rueda Festival and L.A.’s timba big band Rumbankete. This is all happening despite an awful economic down turn and in the two slowest months of the year in terms of business due to the support of all of you who go to these shows. Que...

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Best Recordings of 2009

Posted on Jan 4, 2010

This past year offered great music in the genres of salsa, latin jazz, timba and afro-cuban from the latest to some great compilations of vintage material. Here are my picks: Mario Ortiz All Star Band “Tributo 45 Anniversario” Latin Giants Of Jazz “Ven Baila Conmigo” Edwin Clemente “Aqui Traigo La Rumba, Bailador” Cuban Masters Ensemble “Del Pasado Al Presente” Tiempo Libre “Bach A Havana” Jimmy Bosch “A Millon” Arnaldo Y Su Cosmopolita “En Otra Direccion” Calle Real “Me Lo Gane” Sonora Poncena “55 Anniversario” Ismael Miranda “De Regreso Al Son” Orestes Vilato “It’s About Time” Concha Buika/Chucho Valdes “El Ultimo Trago” Coto Pincheira “The Sonido Moderno Project” Various “Tite Curet Alonso: Alma De Poeta” (2 cd tribute) Tito Rodriguez “El Inolvidable” (2 cd retrospective) Alexander Abreu/Havana d’Primera “Haciendo Historia” Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos “Cubano Cubano” La Excelencia “Mi Tumbao Social” Miguel Zenon “Esta Plena” Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet “Bien Bien” Los Soneros De Gallo “Gallos De Pelea” Nestor Torres “Nouveau Latino” Aymee “Corazon Sonero” Recent releases out of the oven: Venezuelan Masters Orchestra “Live In France: Dux Toros Y Salsa” DJ Ricky Campanelli (w/El Nino Jesus) “Salsa Como Debe Ser” Los Soneros Boricuas y Estrellas De Envidia “De Un Pajaro Las Dos Alas” Avance “Incontrolable” Honorable Mentions: Alberto Barros “Mano A Mano” Conjunto Imagen “Afinando” Choco Orta “Ahora Mismo” Best Local Recording that you don’t know about yet:Various Artists “Live At Jelly’s – Club Havana”Lina G. Torio “Mestiza”...

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