Catching 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.  

Orquesta 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 feet.

Salsa 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 powerhouse.

new 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 sound!