Last Friday night, I was running around taking care of business but I managed to catch some music along the way around San Francisco. My friends at La Bohemia Productions presented Paris based Sergent Garcia who rocked the trendy Mezzanine club with this latin Reggae world groove. He cheerfully led the crowd who was dancing to his raggamuffin beat. His rhymes flowing on top of his anthemic funky dance hall salsa-fied sound.
On the other side of the city, the outside air was in a cold mist and the music hot at the Fillmore Plaza stage of the Salsa Festival At The Fillmore last weekend. The festival was produced by Roy Bennett with assistance from Neftali Rosado (leader of Pa'l Bailador). I caught Carlos Del Sol leading a blistering salsa all-stars ensemble featuring renowned timbalero Louie Romero, trumpeter Julius Melendez, pianist Marco Diaz, bassist Saul Sierra, trombonist Jaime Dubberly..you get the idea. Salsa Dura was on the menu as vocalist Del Sol served it up as he fronted this band with swing. Del Sol makes an engaging frontman blessed with his idol looks and fine voice. He was joined by another fine vocalist singing lead on the other tunes.
Grupo Bakkan also was on fire with their commercial brand of Salsa with three vocalists led by Toni Neito. And the multi-cultural Bay Area crowd agreed with that assessment by packing the Yoshi's lounge dance floor as Bakkan put out the hits. Veteran sonero Fito Reinoso shook the Rasselas spacious back room with his blazing Cuban son, salsa and timba. Backed by the latest version of his long running band "Ritmo Y Armonia", Reinoso stretched out the tunes until the dancers had to totally surrender to his ectastic sound.
Somewhere in-between everything, I went to support the KPFA sponsored event featuring veteran English roots rocker James Hunter. He seduced the Bimbos 365 crowd with his retro 50's-60's blue-eyed English soul. Hunter was a master craftsman at working the crowd with deep soul pouring out of his voice on every tune. His vocal chops and tasty guitar work drove the tight band to higher ground.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Essential Listening July 2012
Here are a pair of great cds just in time for Summer listening:
Cheo Feliciano/Ruben Blades "Eba Say Aja"(Ariel Rivas Music) - Two of Salsa great soneros make a gem of a recording! They sing each other's hits backed by a "phat" Vibes sound a la Joe Cuba and a tight rhythm section. These distinctive stylists are at the top of their game: Blades's sharp intense flow compliments the smooth Feliciano whose soneos are on point. They get together for two soulful duets "Lo Bueno Ya Viene" and the dynamic bolero "Si Te Dicen". The real delight is hearing Ruben covering Feliciano's signature tunes such as "Nina" and Feliciano coming back with a gorgeous version of Blades' "Sin Tu Carino".
La Excelencia "Ecos Del Barrio" (Handle With Care) - With their hearts on their sleeve, this street wise monster of a band has put out their best recording so far. Salsa dura con conciencia is what La Excelencia does best. "La Economia" says it all with it's relevant social commentary and afinque. This band swings with fire as it chronicles what is happening with the neighborhood today. Their big bold sound also takes an Asian flavor with the irresistible "Descarga La Excelencia" or their bid for global domination "Pa'l Mundo Entero"
Cheo Feliciano/Ruben Blades "Eba Say Aja"(Ariel Rivas Music) - Two of Salsa great soneros make a gem of a recording! They sing each other's hits backed by a "phat" Vibes sound a la Joe Cuba and a tight rhythm section. These distinctive stylists are at the top of their game: Blades's sharp intense flow compliments the smooth Feliciano whose soneos are on point. They get together for two soulful duets "Lo Bueno Ya Viene" and the dynamic bolero "Si Te Dicen". The real delight is hearing Ruben covering Feliciano's signature tunes such as "Nina" and Feliciano coming back with a gorgeous version of Blades' "Sin Tu Carino".
La Excelencia "Ecos Del Barrio" (Handle With Care) - With their hearts on their sleeve, this street wise monster of a band has put out their best recording so far. Salsa dura con conciencia is what La Excelencia does best. "La Economia" says it all with it's relevant social commentary and afinque. This band swings with fire as it chronicles what is happening with the neighborhood today. Their big bold sound also takes an Asian flavor with the irresistible "Descarga La Excelencia" or their bid for global domination "Pa'l Mundo Entero"
Monday, July 2, 2012
Yomo Toro RIP
Got the sad news yesterday that the great Puerto Rican master of the cuatro, Yomo Toro passed away. A musical genius and a virtuoso of his instrument which sounds like a cross between a mandolin and a guitar, his many contributions embellished the Fania sound of the 70's. From his unforgettable performances with the Fania All Stars to his legendary recordings with Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe, Yomo was a unique presence proudly representing his Puerto Rican heritage. He was one of a kind! I had the immense luck of working with Yomo when he appeared at San Francisco Carnaval more than 2 decades ago! He wasn't on a big ego trip. On the contrary, he was humble and very gracious. That man had more swing going on with his small group than most salsa orchestras at the time! We are lucky that Yomo has left us with a legacy of great music from the Fania days to his solo career. He has joined the giant jam session in the heavens with all the ancestors who have blessed us with their music. Ciao maestro!
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