Happy New Year Resolution

A New Year marks another chance to start anew.  Another shot at getting it right from the jump.   I have a feeling this year is my time to reboot this page dedicated to music and life.  It is a temptation to get lazy as one gets older so I'm challenging myself to stay stimulated and write often in this space.

Top Salsa-Latin Jazz-Afro Cuban Music Picks 2012

Hi Everyone, the following are my picks for the best recordings of 2012.  I focus on Salsa, Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban music which is presented on my radio program "Con Sabor" on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 pm on KPFA 94.1 FM.  I've enjoyed sharing these recordings with you on my program.  I hope that you pick up one of these titles for your collection.   I wish you Happy Holidays!

ARTIST/TITLE/LABEL

EDDIE MONTALVO “DESDE NUEVA YORK A PUERTO RICO” - SENOR MARCHA

CHEO FELICIANO/RUBEN BLADES “EBA SAY AJA” - ARIEL RIVAS MUSIC

RALPH IRRIZARY Y LOS VIEJOS DE LA SALSA “VIEJOS PERO SABROSOS” - BKS

LA EXCELENCIA “ECOS DEL BARRIO” - HANDLE WITH CARE

SANTIAGO ALL STARS “JOYA Y RAREZA” - HASBUN PRODUCTIONS

MARLOW ROSADO Y LA RIQUENA “RETRO” - PINK CHAOS

CUBANA ALL STARS “A DREAM COME TRUE” - VCM

BAILATINO “ANIVERSARIO” - PRODUCE KORTA

SEPTETO SANTIAGUERO “VAMOS PA' LA FIESTA” - PICAP

PACIFIC MAMBO ORCHESTRA “PMO” - PACIFIC MAMBO

ALEXANDER ABREU/HAVANA D'PRIMERA “PASAPORTE” - BIS

PAPO VASQUEZ “OASIS” - PICARO

WILSON CHEMBO CORNIEL “AFRO BLUE MONK” - CHEMBORO

CHARANSALSA “PA'L MI PUEBLO” - CHARANSALSA

TOP RELEASES FROM LATE 2011 INTO 2012

VARIOUS SONO SONO TITE CURET - BANCO POPULAR

MICHAEL STUART “TRIBUTO A LOUIE RAMIREZ” - RLM

NG LA BANDA MIS 22 ANOS - BIS

El Gran Combo visits...

This Saturday, December 15th, the iconic El Gran Combo visits the San Francisco Bay Area celebrating their 50th Anniversary at Cafe Cocomo.  This group that was created by members of Rafael Cortijo's orquesta back in 1962 brings their trademark sound that has launched a galaxy of hits throughout their illustrious career.  Their leader, pianist/musical director Rafael Ithier will conduct the Combo but has stopped performing live as their pianist a number of years ago (the esteemed pianist/producer Willie Sotelo has taken Ithier's place in live performance).  Their front line of vocalists Charlie Aponte, Jerry Rivas (who took over Andy Montanez's place back in the 70's) and Papo Rosario have been performing as a team since that time.  The band has always been a tight unit who performs with precision, style and fire.  This is the classic Rolls Royce of Salsa from Puerto Rico but always with the love and heart of their public fueling this classic hit making machine.  

Things To Do And Listen To...December 2012

Scenes to look out for during December:  El Gran Combo will be bringing their 50th Anniversary tour to Cafe Cocomo on Saturday, December 15th.  Pepe Y Su Orquesta will be opening the show.  The last time that El Gran Combo played at Cocomo, it was packed to the brim.  Expect the same.  You may want to get your tickets at www.cafecocomo.com.  Pete Escovedo will be celebrating the next year at Yoshis in Oakland from Friday, Dec. 28 through New Years Eve.  His sons Peter Michael Escovedo and Juan Escovedo will join him along with his big band playing his brand of Latin Jazz, Salsa and those fabulous Azteca classics.  Timbalero extraordinare Eric Rangel has led his Orquesta America for the past two decades and is a staple of the SF Bay Area Salsa scene having played with Conjunto Cespedes, Salsa Caliente, Conjunto Rovira and others.  He has been recently diagnosed with throat cancer and is undergoing surgery and treatment.  There will be a benefit/tribute to Eric by former bandmates and friends at El Vacilon in Treasure Island on Sunday, December 16 from 4 to 11 pm with the likes of Avance, Borinquen, Candela, Pepe Gonzalez, Julio Bravo and other special guests.   DJ Carlitos Way and yours truly will be spinning in-between sets.  Proceeds to offset medical costs.

New cd's out now by Diego Gale, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Sammy Gonzalez, Alberto Barros, Alexander Abreu y Havana D'Primera, Victor Manuelle, Papo Vasquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours, Poncho Sanchez, Pete Escovedo, Septeto Santiaguero, DJ Ricky Campanelli, N'Klabe, NG2, Tito Puente's six cd box set and more.  Hopefully you already have your copy of the Eddie Montalvo, Bailatino and Chembo Corniel recordings that have been out for a little while now.

Venezuela's Bailatino-Explosive music 4 your collection

Bailatino, one of the finest of Venezuela's contemporary Salsa orchestras have put out their latest recording "Aniversario".   Their horn sound is defined by their two trombone and flute attack.  Veteran percussionist Jose "Cheo" Navarro leads this fine band through a swinging repertoire of Salsa, Descarga, Cha Cha and Latin Jazz.  Edgar "Dolor" Quijada (what a great nickname for a vocalist) leads Bailatino's charged vocal trio throughout the entire cd.  Venezuela has some of the finest musicians playing in the Salsa and Latin Jazz genres.  Bailatino keeps raising the bar in terms of bringing interesting and challenging arrangements to compliment their ferocious swing.  This is evident in "Aniversario" when you listen to a tune such as "Donde Estara Margot" (the single from the cd) or "La Vampira".   Do not overlook this cd among the many fine new Salsa recordings that this season has to offer.  This is worth seeking out.

Tommy Olivencia is lifting me up.

I'm listening to the salsariffic sounds of Tommy Olivencia on my headphones.  Furious conga solo dancing in my head through my trusty Sony phones.  Horn section converging within into the jumpin' descarga.  A timbales solo racing in front of a swinging big band.  It's being a rough day...things not together..misunderstandings...heated words...tense..momentary setbacks but setbacks nonetheless.  Tommy was celebrating his 40th Anniversary with PR all stars: Paquito Guzman, Sammy Gonzalez, Hector Tricoche, former Bay Area resident Melvin Martinez, Lalo Rodriguez and Gilberto Santa Rosa. Taking me to the dance floor in my studio..big band salsa mania a la puerto rico...they don't fool around with the salsa in p.r..  Afincado!!!  Bad day going away...Tommy reminds me of la salsa de verdad!  We got to remind everyone that this music still exists.  Chillin' now.

Septeto Santiaguero - Son Sublime!

El Septeto Santiaguero have put out a new recording "Vamos Pa La Fiesta" that is a beautiful testament to the Cuban Son.  This compositions are classic but not tired relics of an authentic form of music.  The music is full of excitement, joy, regret, sadness and the gamut of emotions that reflect life's experiences.  Septeto Santiaguero are not as well known as other groups that perform the Cuban son but this recording may be their big breakthrough.  Not only are they incredible musicians and singers whose vocal timbres and phrasing invoke the spirit of Cuni, Barroso, Valdes and Piniero.  They also feature special guest collaborations from guests such as Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Jose Alberto "El Canario"and percussionist extraordinare Luisito Quintero.  The result is a rich listening experience which transports you to the island where the Son is a respected national treasure that keeps evolving with every new generation.  You can feel the energy as this solid group performs Son with a certain heartfelt afinque that is truly their own.  I had the opportunity to catch them live at last year's Tempo Latino festival in France where they tore it up!  This recording should open doors for this fine group.