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Don Omar, Cali Aleman, Victor Manuelle, Elvis Crespo and India are all going to pay San Francisco a visit during the next few months. This should be a bonanza for all the fans who love these stars of Reggaeton, Merengue and Salsa. With the exception of Fania All Star/Guayacan veteran Cali Aleman, all of these artists are part of the musical vocabulary of younger generations who listen to these respective genres…some of whom are livin’ large with their disposable incomes, iphones, twitter accounts and facebook posts. A large majority of folks do not buy full length recordings but rather download single songs. It will be interesting to see how are the music industry especially independent artists will survive. This is why we have to continue to support our favorite artists by buying their cds or downloading their music. Also checking them out when ever they perform live will also assure their survival in this tough global economy. And just maybe…some of the seasoned vets that we know and love will have a platform to visit us once in a...
Read MoreHappy New Year!
Usually I’m excited about sharing information about new releases, concert dates and what I’m up to in the New Year…there is plenty of that coming up in future communications. However, I am disturbed and troubled about the tragic shootings in Arizona this past Saturday. As a radio host and media professional, I am upset about the misuse of power and influence that these so-called messiahs of the airwaves spew on gullible segments of the public. Whether it’s distorted rhetoric such as Sarah Palin’s bullseye targets (which tragically came true this past Saturday) or Rush Limbaugh’s defense of on-air hateful political evangelism, we are living in dangerous times here in the U.S.. It will be up to each of us to challenge these “spokespeople” at every opportunity…the work starts...
Read MoreFeliz Navidad y Viva La Musica
As we near the end of the year, I am often asked what are my picks of the year’s best recordings in Salsa, Latin Jazz and Musica Cubana. I am going to run down some of my favorites in no determined order. So, here they are: The Spanish Harlem Orchestra “Viva La Tradicion”, Luis Gonzalez “El Tsunami De La Salsa” recording “Tributo A Un Gigante”, Sonora Poncena “Trayectoria + Consistencia = Sonora Poncena, Various Artists “Salsa-Un Homenaje A El Gran Combo”, Chucho Valdes & The Afro Cuban Messengers “Chucho’s Steps”, Issac Delgado “L-O-V-E.”, Manolito Y Su Trabuco “Trabuco Una Vez Mas”, Hilario Duran “Motion”, Edwin Bonilla “Homenaje A Los Rumberos”, Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet “Bien Bien”, El Gran Combo “Sin Salsa No Hay Paraiso” and Afrocubism “Afrocubism”. My advice to everyone is seek and find these great...
Read MoreAqui El Que Baila Gana
The beloved Cuban band Juan Formell y Los Van Van hit Yoshi’s San Francisco for four days of exciting shows the week of December 9th-12th. There was some doubt that the band would make it through their first tour in over 7 years due to legal issues and delayed visas but there they were on stage playing in front of standing room only crowds. Los Van Van were musically awesome, charismatic and ruled the crowd from the first notes of “Aqui El Que Baila Gana” to the grand finish of “Te Pone La Cabeza Mala”. The front vocal line of Mayito, Roberton, Yenny, Lele and Juan Formell himself (on coro and electric bass for “Muevete”) had the crowd totally involved by singing, dancing and waving their hands in the air. They were one of the tightest ensembles who perform with astonishing precision that this reviewer has seen in quite some...
Read MoreLive Appearances
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