The Descarga Review: Prime DVDs

Tue May 1 12:38:04 EDT 2007

The Descarga Review • May 01, 2007
Recent highly recommended DVDs

• Our SAR_CD_sale (only $10.98 each) ends tomorrow, May 02
Bad links? No images? click: HERE

Highly recommended DVD titles...

LA SONORA PONCEÑA
50 Aniversario En Vivo Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez De Bayamón - DVD & CD Set
Pianissimo
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA; PUERTO RICO
EditorsPick: Just in! DVD & CD package of the legendary Sonora  
Ponceña's 50th anniversary concert at the jam-packed Coliseo Rubén  
Rodríguez de Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Recorded in February 2004, this is  
a well-produced multi-camera presentation featuring the Ponceña big  
band led by maestro Papo Lucca. Singer Héctor "Pichie" Pérez opens  
the show with a full-torque rendition of "Ecue Baroni" that should  
not be missed. Pérez is joined by singers Danny Davila, Fernando  
"Wito" Colón, Edwin Rosas and, finally, Luisito Carrion - who's the  
guest singer on "Yare". The show includes some pretty impressive on- 
stage salsa dancing by a young troupe, as well as some very special  
appearances by bassist, Bobby Valentin, trumpeter Luis "Luisito"  
Aquino and pianist Lenny Prieto who solos on "Piano Salsero" - a  
track dedicated to Papo Lucca.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $34.98
• Click here to Order 50 Aniversario DVD & CD Set Now!

PIO LEYVA
Pio Leiva's Final Tour: Musica Cubana Live In Tokyo - DVD
Icon / VSC
Category: DVD; SON, GUARACHA, GUAJIRA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Once I popped this DVD into the player, it didn't take  
long for me to realize the value of what I was witnessing. The multi- 
camera photography, direction and sound quality told me that there  
was a real intelligence behind this production. Then I noticed that  
this project was produced by Wim Wenders (as a follow-up to his  
acclaimed documentary Buena Vista Social Club) and Claus Clausen of  
Germany. There's a huge film crew and a top notch post-production  
team. Directors, consultants, legal counsel an more. The sound was  
handled by Termidor, a first-class concern. This was no fly-by night  
operation.
Onto the stage of a jam-packed enthusiastic crowd in a Tokyo club,  
walks some of Cuba's musical royalty: Mayito Rivera, "El Nene" Pedro  
Lugo, Samuel Formell, Tirso Duarte, Luis Frank Arias, Julio Padrón,  
Felicio Arango, Juan "Coto" Antomachin Padilla, the man of the hour -  
the legendary Pio Leiva, as well as the new generation of leading  
edge Cuban musicians: Roberto Carcassés, Osdalgia, rising star  
Telmary, Elmer Ferrer and many others (see the credits below). Live  
in Tokyo turned out to be an absolute gem of a concert - a top notch  
celebration of sizzling música Cubana. The significance of the event  
- held in the unlikely arena of a nightclub filled with adoring  
Japanese Cubanophiles - lies in the unwavering strength and artistry  
of the performances that, without pause, integrate the traditional  
and the cutting edge - the old and new, with a conviction that would  
convert even the most jaded of listeners to frontline soldiers of  
Cuban music. The show's additional significance becomes clear for  
also what it is not: this ain't a bunch of old-time Cuban veteran  
performers recanting their former glory. Yes, there's "Chan Chan",  
but it's a "Chan Chan" like you've never heard it before. The tune,  
like the entire experience here, is transformative. You're left both  
elated and exhausted, and it becomes clear that Cuban music is a  
living, changing thing. In this show, the young stars, like the  
hauntingly beautiful and intense rapper Telmary, are given the space  
they deserve. While Buena Vista Social Club was about Cuba's musical  
past, Live in Tokyo is clearly about it's future. And Leiva seemed  
perfectly fine, no ...pleased, with what was going on. As it turns  
out, it was Leiva's final tour. But, man, what a send off.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $18.98
• Click here to Order Musica Cubana Live In Tokyo - DVD Now!

CONJUNTO CLASICO
En Concierto: Sólo Éxitos Live In Colombia - DVD & CD
Codiscos / Salsa Power / original import
Category: DVD; SALSA/SON
EditorsPick: Excellent live performance by the venerable Conjunto  
Clasico led by Raymond Castro. The is superb old-school salsa, and  
Mr. Castro used the opportunity to highlight his latest find, a lanky  
new lead vocalist named Héctor Luis whose clear, cutting, timbre begs  
comparison to the late Héctor Lavoe. This kid is good, and he glides  
through the conjunto's best hits with ease, radiating a focused  
intensity that suggests that he was born to do this. Héctor debuted  
on last year's Si Ella Estuviera.
The band has no trouble keeping the audience happy, giving them  
savory renditions of "Señora Ley", Los Rodríguez", " Ay, Que Bueno",  
"Sin Rumbo Alguno" and "Vamomos De Rumba". Terrific tres-work by  
Clásico veteran José García. Also with conguero George Delgado, Chino  
Ramos on bongos, bassist Héctor "Máximo" Rodríguez, pianist Nito  
Carraquillo and trumpeters Angie Machacdo, Julito Alvarado and Richie  
Viruet. Additional vocals and coro by David Navedo and Ramón Rodriguez.
With a biographic interviews with Ramóh Rodríguez, coroista and  
founder of Conjunto Clásico, as well as band leader Raymond Castro. A  
CD and DVD package set.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $24.98
• Click here to Order En Concierto: Sólo Éxitos - DVD & CD Now!

FRANCISCO AGUABELLA
Sworn To The Drum: A Tribute To Francisco Aquabella - DVD
Flower Films
Category: DVD; DOCUMENTARY
EditorsPick: Now on DVD! "Francisco Aguabella is a master of the bata  
tradition as well as the secular conguero tradition. This film  
documents his move to the United States in 1957 and his  
accomplishments since then. " (Victor Rendón, 98/99 Catalog)
Highly Recomended. (DR)
Description: The film is a portrait of Afro-Cuban drummer, Francisco  
Aguabella, a master both of the bata tradition of drumming in the  
sacred celebrations of the African-derived syncratic sects of  
Santería, Abaqua and Yeza and of the secular conguero tradition.  
Aguabella was born and reared in Cuba, lived in New York for a number  
of years and has been a California resident since 1971. The film  
explores Aguabella's role both as a sacred drummer and a figure of  
historical influence in Latin jazz, pop and fusion in the United  
States. Today, he continues to perform Latin jazz, as well as  
function as a tambolero in his religious community. Also appearing in  
this film are: Armando Peraza, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, Israel  
"Cachao" López, Dizzy Gillespie, Daniel Ponce, Bobbi Cespedes, Carlos  
Santana, John Santos, Katherine Dunham, and Robert Farris Thompson.  
Runs 35 minutes and is in color.
Price: $29.98
• Click here to Order Sworn To The Drum - DVD Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Rumberos - La Rumba Es Lo Más Sublime Para El Alma Divertir - DVD
Sara Records / original import
Category: DVD; FOLKLORIC; CUBA
EditorsPick: Here's an informative and fun to watch documentary about  
the history and sociology of the Cuban rumba. With many performances  
and interviews with musicians and others who "live" the rumba. How  
the rumba developed in Havana and Matanzas as a spontaneous artistic  
form of expression is discussed in detail with the likes of  
percussionist Alfredo Hernández, musicologist Bladimir Zamora, drum- 
maker Juan Bencomo, singer Mayito Rivera, anthropologist Lazara  
Menendez, rumberos Pedro Fariñas and Eloy Machado and many others.  
Lots of street rumbas are filmed here. The differences between the  
three main types of rumba - El Yambú, El Guaguancó, and La Columbia -  
are covered here as well. With special bonus footage of extended  
rumbas: Rumba En Centro Habana, Rumba En El Callejon de Hammel, Rumba  
En La Peña de "El Ambia."
In Spanish, offered with English subtitles. Approx. 100 minutes.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $29.98
• Click here to Order Rumberos - DVD Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Herencia Músical Cubana - The Entire History Of Cuban Rhythms: 3-DVD Set
Titanio Records
Category: DVD; DOCUMENTARY; CUBA
EditorsPick: How often are we asked for a complete documentary  
overview of the history of Afro-Cuban music? A lot! Well, it was only  
a matter of time - a great idea that makes you wonder why it wasn't  
made sooner. This huge 3-DVD documentary about the history of Cuban  
music is the perfect primer for music enthusiasts, students and  
musicians. This vast work covers the breadth and impact of almost  
every Cuban musical style imaginable. From early Afro-religious and  
folkloric genres to the Habanera, Contradanza, El Punto Guajira,  
Danzón, Son, Guaracha, Rumba, Bolero, Latin Jazz and Cubop, Mambo,  
Cha Cha Chá, La Pachanga, Mozambique, Songó, Changüí, Nueva Trova,  
Miami Sound, Salsa, Timba and everything in between. The film-makers,  
Mario Fajardo and Lito Solanas, barely miss a beat. In typical  
documentary fashion, the span is chronologically paced, with cross  
references established throughout. Utilizing footage vintage from  
film and television, clips of performances and interviews are  
integrated, with some notable appearances made by Los Müñequitos de  
Matanzas, Celeste Mendoza, Ñico Saquito, Machito, Arturo Sandoval,  
Pérez Prado, Beny Moré, Enrique Jorrín, Pello El Afrokan, Los Van  
Van, Sivlio Rodriguez, Carlos Oliva, Willy Chirino, Hansel y Raul,  
Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz, Adalberto Alvarez, Manolin, Charanga  
Habanera, Isaac Delgado, Paulito y su Elite, NG La Banda, Los Orishas  
and many others. There's a ton of information here, folks.
132 minutes. In both Spanish and English. Herencia Músical Cubana is  
both essential and enjoyable, and is a must-have for your collection.  
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
• Click here to Order Herencia Músical Cubana 3-DVD Set Now!

CHOCOLATE ARMENTEROS
The Cuban Swing: Tribute To The Legend Chocolate Armenteros, Live In  
Puerto Rico DVD
Mundo Libre
Category: DVD; LATIN JAZZ; CUBA
EditorsPick: Live performance DVD tribute to the legendary trumpeter  
Chocolate Armenteros. With Charlie Sepulveda and The Turnaround band  
as well as Luis "Perico" Ortiz and Elliot Feyjoo. Live at the Hotel  
Intercontinental, San Juan. The first segment is a short biographic  
overview of the life and career of Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros -  
one of the greatest trumpeters Cuba has given the world. What follows  
is one of the best quality Latin jazz performance DVDs we have come  
across. Crisp picture and excellent sound are found on this nicely  
produced four camera shoot. Fine performances by Charlie Sepulveda  
and the Turnaround band, flanked by Chocolate, "Perico" Ortiz and  
Feyjoo. Don't miss their gorgeous interpretation of "Cachita" or when  
the four front-line trumpeters create a sublime "Guajira En Sol  
Menor." Produced by Leo Tizol. Approx. 1 hour and 47 minutes.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $21.98
• Click here to Order The Cuban Swing DVD Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Ahí-Namá En Cuba DVD
Ahi-Nama Records
Category: DVD; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Terrific compilation of salsa Cubana from the vaults of  
Ahí Na Má records. Includes performances by Maraca, Bamboleo, Yumuri,  
Laito, Issac Delgado, Arte Mixto, Eddy-K, Bukuleye, Rolo Martinez,  
Enrique Alvarez with Alfredo De La Fe and others.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $21.98
• Click here to Order Ahí-Namá En Cuba DVD Now!

RICHIE RAY & BOBBY CRUZ
A Lifetime Of Hits / Toda Una Vida De Éxitos... Live At Centro De  
Bellas Artes, San Juan Puerto Rico: DVD
Tropisounds
Category: DVD; SALSA/SON
EditorsPick: Celebrating an amazing career in salsa, Richie Ray and  
Bobby Cruz got together once again to give the people what they want  
- killer crescendo building anthems that reverberate with hooks from  
the golden age of salsa. With tracks like "La Zafra", "Bomba Camara",  
"Richie's Jala Jala", "Sonido Bestial", "Soy Boricua" and "Mi  
Bandera" a more history filled show would be hard to imagine. About  
20 tracks (yes, 20). With a cracker-jack band that features Edwin  
Clemente on timbales and a coro section with Primi Cruz, Darvel  
Garcia, Carlos Llamosa, Charlie Torres and others. Recorded live at  
the Sala Antonio Paoli in the Centro Bellas Artes in Puerto Rico in  
San Juan on June 25th, 2006, the concert is a landmark in that it  
also marks the 25th anniversary of the famed concert hall.
Also available as a 2-CD set.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $19.98
• Click here to Order A Lifetime Of Hits DVD Now!

  TITO PUENTE & JIM PAYNE
Tito Puente: King Of Latin Music Book & DVD Package
Hudson Music
Category: BOOKS; BOOKS: OTHER
EditorsPick: Terrific handbook about Puente's life and achievements.  
The book's also a wonderful guide to Cuban musical styles, with a  
section that defines rumba, son, danzón etc. Has a complete Puente  
discography too. With a DVD interview with Puente.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Description: This is the story of the renowned musician known  
internationally as the King of Latin Music, an instrumental force in  
the rise of la musica latina and its spread throughout the world.  
Here are first-person stories that trace Tito's life, starting with  
the early years, the emergence of the Palladium nightclub as a center  
of Latin music and his development as an arranger and bandleader.  
Tito provides humor, history and insights into the music and its  
masters, and discusses the foundation of Latin jazz and the evolution  
of Mambo, Rumba and Danzón.
Includes a special Bonus DVD that features never-before-seen footage  
of Tito discussing his incredible 50-year career as a band leader.  
"This book contains a great deal of information about my life, my  
music and my style of playing, as well as a short history of the  
music which has been my life's work. My work has denied me. I've  
spent lonesome holidays away from my family and lost many hours of  
sunshine. But I do not regret it because an artist must do what he  
feels...It was something I felt I had to do. If my music has brought  
joy to one person, then I have been successful." - Tito Puente, 1998
Price: $22.95
• Click here to Order Tito Puente Book & DVD Package Now!

  ORQUESTA ESTRELLAS CUBANAS
Danza Charanguero - Popular Dances Of Cuba: Danzón - Son - Mambo -  
Cha cha chá - Casino DVD
Boogalu Productions
Category: DVD; CHARANGA, CHA CHA CHA; CUBA
EditorsPick: 'Danza Charanguero' is an informative and charming  
presentation of the various styles of traditional dance music from  
Cuba. Top Charanga band Estrellas Cubanas play music in styles such  
as contradanza, danzón, mambo, chachachá, son, bolero and casino  
accompanied by professional dancers from the Conjunto Folklórico  
Nacional de Cuba amongst others and also by amateur dance enthusiasts  
from the Asociación Cubana de Amigos del Danzón. Musically the styles  
are exemplified by classic compositions by Félix Reina (a famous  
violinist and previous director of Estrellas Cubanas), Ernesto  
Lecuona, Pablo O' Farrill, José Urfé and Arsenio Rodriguez. The  
string section is one of Havana's finest with players such as  
Wenceslao Rodriguez, Arsel Depestre, Ricardo Cortés and Santiago  
Linares and the rhythm section swings to the impressive timbale  
playing of Zenen Arrascaeta who is great to watch and whose rim shots  
and 'abanico' figures are to die for! The Thelonius Monk style  
playing of pianist Marco Jorrín is crisp and melodic and his solo on  
Lecuona's Comparsa is quite simply beautiful.
A stand out on this DVD is the singing of Ernesto Oviedo de la  
Portilla, who introduces all the numbers and also gives interviews  
about the history of Estrellas Cubanas, his own musical background  
and about Cuban dance music today and before the revolution. His  
rendition of the bolero 'Si Te Contara' is both passionate and  
elegant - a dignified and moving performance that clearly illustrates  
why he is one of Cuba's finest singers of traditional Cuban music.  
There is also an in-depth interview with Juan Garcia Fernández,  
former director of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional, who outlines the  
development of Cuban dance music from the contradanza to the danzón  
and the influence of the son on the charanga formation.
This DVD will be of great interest to all musicians and dancers  
interested in Cuba's popular music dance styles - highly recommended!  
73 minutes. (Sue Miller)
Price: $32.00
• Click here to Order Danza Charanguero DVD Now!

  WILLY CHIRINO
35 Aniversario En Vivo - CD & DVD Set
Latinum Music
Category: DVD; SALSA/SON
EditorsPick: A two disc - one CD, one DVD - begins with Chirino  
singing a song "Yo Soy Un Tipo Tipico" that has him drifting though  
salsa, quoting everything from the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to Cuban  
son. The recordings are taken from a concert that celebrated his 35th  
anniversary in music. He convened a huge band, put on a concert and  
recorded it. Here it is. He's a seriously good singer,and writes  
plenty of good songs; the band's professional and at times explosive.  
The DVD illustrates what a big production it was: Celia Cruz shows up  
in the form of a video to sing with Chirino, and Arturo Sandoval  
shows up in person, as does Andy Montañez. There's plenty of Cuba  
bashing that goes on, too, for those of you who care, but what's  
impressive is the level of the music, which is superior. [with  
guests: Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Oscar D'Leon, Generoso Jimenez, Nestor  
Torres, Wahiro, Paquito Hechavarria]
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous)
Price: $21.98
• Click here to Order 35 Aniversario En Vivo - CD & DVD Set Now!

  VARIOUS ARTISTS
The 8th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress 2006, Vol. 1 & Vol 2.  
Complete Package - Almost 12 Hours on 4 DVDs!
Albert Torres Productions
Category: DVD; DANCE INSTRUCTION
EditorsPick: Finally available - the 8 Annual 2006 West Coast Salsa  
Congress! Dancers from the world over have come together to  
participate in this important event. Spain, Japan, Italy, France,  
Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore, the  
USA and many other countries are represented here. We are offering  
the complete package, Volumes 1 and 2 - that's four discs in all for  
a total of nearly 12 hours of red hot spectacular salsa dancing.  
Combined, these two volumes contain 157 uncut complete sizzling  
performances, some so sexy they might short-circuit your TV set.
NTSC, all regions.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Description: This digitally mastered DVD contains salsa dance  
performances from the 8th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress held on  
May 25rd through 28th, 2006. In Los Angeles, California. Performances  
are full length and uncut!
Price: $74.98
• Click here to Order The 8th Annual Salsa Congress 4 DVD set Now!

  KLIMAX
De La Mejor Música Cubana - Klimax... The Best Cuban Music DVD
Mundo Libre
Category: DVD; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Those of you who have enjoyed the killer DVD Knockout -  
the collaborative effort by Bamboleo and Manolito - are gonna simply  
love this explosive Cuban music event hosted by drummer Giraldo  
Piloto and his red hot band Klimax. If the sheer polyrhythmic  
musicianship of this one-of-a-kind timba-son-salsa performance isn't  
a splash of ice cold water on your face, well the dozen or so  
perpetually gyrating ladies on stage - will, at the very least, test  
your equilibrium. I wasn't aware that the human butt could speak such  
immense volumes.
That would be enough for most of us, but "De La Mejor Música Cubana"  
goes further, featuring such a roster of high caliber special guests  
that it would be hard to image a more jam-packed show. Here are some  
of the performing luminaries: Vania Borges (former queen of Bamboleo)  
who completely transforms the place, Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso, Roberton  
(from Los Van Van), Leoni (of Charanga Habanera fame), Cubanitos  
20-02, Amaury Pérez, the legendary Chucho Valdés, Mayra Caridad  
Valdés and many others.
This superlative performance took place at the Avellaneda del Teatro  
Nacional in Havana. It is peppered with occasional commentary by Mr.  
Piloto and other luminaries like Juan Formel and Pupy Pedroso.
It's one hour and thirty six minutes that goes by *very* fast.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $24.98
• Click here to Order De La Mejor Música Cubana DVD Now!

  BAMBOLEO
Knock Out: Lazarito Valdés Y Bamboleo & Manolito Simonet Y Su Trabuco  
En Concierto DVD & CD Set
BIS / original import
Category: DVD; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Splash some water in my face, will you? I could be  
dreaming here. Whoa...
Knock Out is, by far, the best live modern Cuban dance concert DVD we  
have come across to date. It took seven camera men (yes, seven) to  
capture the intensity and heat of this milestone show. Recorded live  
in September of 2005 at the Teatro Karl Marx, Knock Out brings two of  
Cuba's heaviest dance bands, Manolito y Su Trabuco and Bamboleo,  
together in an event that gave the audience something to tell their  
grandkids about.
Billed as a heavyweight battle between two boxers, the DVD opens,  
hysterically, with Manolito and Lázaro Valdés donning their boxing  
gear and stepping into the ring - er, stage. What happens next is  
more powerful than a punch in the stomach by Mike Tyson: untethered  
heart stopping timba-salsa born by fusing the two mega-band's  
powerhouse musicians and gorgeous singers into one bone-crunching unit.
Individually these two bands are steel-riveted army tanks, but  
together ...well let's just say there's nothing like it. Valdés and  
Manolito go head-to-head on their respective keyboards, piling notes  
and montunos on top of one another: making each other smile with  
their fiery chops. The audience, dancing and singing with the band,  
was completely and justifiably intoxicated as they soaked in numbers  
like "Todo Lo Bonito," "Tu Me Dijiste Mentiras," "Marcando La  
Distancia," "Ya No Hace Falta" and "Locos Por Mi Habana." This is  
modern Cuban dance music at is best: complex, driven, and almost  
overwhelmingly sexy. Lázaro Valdés takes the opportunity to front- 
line his two new secret weapons: Tania Pantoja Palmera and Yuleydis  
Olazabál, the stunning women of Bamboleo whose vast vocal powers are  
matched by their, umm, capacity to gyrate. Other singers of note are  
Ronnys Lopez, Enrique Castellanos, Sixto Llorente, Ricardo Amaray and  
Lázaro Díaz.
If that isn't enough, the DVD comes with a bonus track of the  
superband performing a pristine, sizzling, version of Manolito's "Se  
Rompierón Los Termómetros." Comes with an audio CD too. 110 minutes  
of Cuban musical bliss. Multizone. NTSC. Dolby stereo
I can't say this more clearly: get this DVD now! An absolute Must-Have.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $24.98
• Click here to Order Knock Out DVD & CD Set Now!

  RAPHY LEAVITT Y ORQUESTA LA SELECTA
30 Aniversario: Live In DVD - 2-DVD Set
VI Music/Universal
Category: DVD; SALSA/SON; PUERTO RICO
EditorsPick: Finally, here's the official 2-DVD release of the famed  
30th Aniversario performance from Raphy Leavitt y La Selecta. This  
pivotal show was previously released as a 2-CD set - something I  
reviewed quite favorably when it was released in 2003. Well, the DVD  
is equally collectable, and no wonder: it's virtually the same track  
listing as the CD set. But here, of course, you get to see the band  
performing - which is pretty special especially for those of us who  
haven't yet had the pleasure of attending a live Selecta show.
Below is my review from '03. It still holds true ...I've changed "2- 
CD" to read "2-DVD": One of the most popular salsa bands in Puerto  
Rico for three decades has not, in my opinion, received their due  
recognition outside of the island. Perhaps this 30th anniversary 2- 
DVD live straight-ahead, no nonsense salsa package will set the  
record straight. Very well recorded and mixed for a live show, this  
release packs in 20 of Mr. Leavitt's most well known titles like  
"Somos El Son, "Payaso", "El Buen Pastor" and "Jibaro Soy." There is  
a lot of salsa here, and it's all good.
Pianist and composer Mr. Leavitt represents pure, unadulterated  
Puerto Rican salsa at its best. The real deal.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $19.98
• Click here to Order 30 Aniversario: Live In DVD - 2-DVD Set Now!

  EDDIE TORRES
Eddie Torres Teaches Salsa Nightclub Style - 2 DVD Set
E&E ON 2
Category: INSTRUCTIONAL; DANCE INSTRUCTION
EditorsPick: Back in stock! In celebration of its ten years as the  
premier salsa dance instructional, Eddie Torres Teaches Salsa  
Nightclub Style has just been released as a 2-DVD set. As one of  
salsa's first professionally produced dance instructionals, this  
package created quite a stir when originally released on video in  
1995. Now, a decade later, this much sought after learning tool is  
made even better with its availability in convenient, crisp, DVD form.
This 2 DVD set will equip you with all of the necessary elements to  
help turn you in to the dancer you always wanted to be. Eddie and his  
crew of top-notch dancers reveal all the secrets of his award winning  
dancing technique. Mr. Torres is an articulate, enthusiastic, and  
nuanced teacher who exudes style. On these DVDs the couples  
demonstrate their moves together, and afterward the ladies and mens  
parts are detailed separately. There is, thankfully, a picture-within- 
a-picture close-up of the dancer's feet that appears in the lower  
right corner of the screen. Eddie Torres' technique is well thought  
out, and scripted here - with the help of producer Tony Shor - with a  
directness that makes it seem simple. The featured dancers are Janice  
Bruno, Argelio Diaz, Glenda Heffer, Angel Ortiz, Mati Portes, Delille  
Thomas, Eddie Torres, and Deplessey-Monic Walker.
This production features instructional music by Oscar Hernández (with  
Eddie Montalvo on congas), and the second DVD concludes with a  
sizzling performance as Eddie and his troupe dance to the explosive  
sounds of Tito Puente ("Fiesta A La King" and "Mambo Gozon") in a  
simulated dance club setting.
Eddie Torres Teaches Salsa Nightclub Style is still the instructional  
set against which all others are measured. Whether you are a  
beginner, intermediate or advanced dancer and just want to brush up  
on your style, this one, folks, is a must-have. [NTSC All zones]
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $42.95
• Click here to Order Eddie Torres Teaches Salsa 2 DVD Set Now!

Recent highlights...

  VARIOUS ARTISTS
Colombia! The Golden Age Of Discos Fuentes - The Powerhouse Of  
Colombia Music 1960-76
Sound Way (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Here's a great find: it's a tremendous compilation of  
Colombian dance material from the 60s and '70s. Assembled by Miles  
Cleret with clearly written detailed liner notes by Roberto Ernesto  
Gyement (remember their amazing work on the Panama! collection? No?  
You should!), Colombia! features some sparkling material from the  
eminent label Discos Fuentes. Works by Fruko y Sus Tesos, The Latin  
Brothers, Afrosound, Lito Barrientos, Orquesta Nunez are represented,  
as well as some more obscure but vital bands like Climaco Sarmiento y  
Su Orquesta, Wganda Kenya and Pedro Laza y Sus Pelayeros. This is  
hard-driving salsa, jazzy riffs and fiery cumbias like you've never  
heard before. The 10-minute descarga "El Mondongo" by Los Corraleros  
de Majagual is a gem. In his comments Gyement is able to add  
additional background and color to the material, adding context and  
nuance to an already enjoyable package. Beautiful full-color  
representations of rare album covers are peppered throughout. This  
one, folks, is a must-have.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $18.98

• Click here to Order Colombia! The Golden Age Of Discos Fuentes Now!

  ORQUESTA NOVEL
Mejor Que Nunca
Cobo
Reissued: 2007
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; CHARANGA
EditorsPick: Fantastic New York charanga session from 1997. Never  
before released to CD! Killer swing, with Chocolate Armenteros,  
"Professor" Joe Torres, Mauricio Smith, Jr., and Ronnie Baros on vocals.
Very Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order Mejor Que Nunca Now!

  LOUIE RAMIREZ
King Of Latin Vibes
Sugar
Originally released: 1991
Reissued: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Back in stock! Classic Louie Ramirez vibes-based release  
from 1991. This hard-to-find release features nightclub favorites  
"Goodnight My Love", "Suavecito", "Baile De Ochun" and "Pare  
Cochero". With a gaggle of amazing players: Jimmy Delgado, Jose  
Mangual, Ricky Gonzalez, Mario Rivera, Carlos 'Patato' Valdes, Pete  
Miranda, José Fajardo on flute and many others. Includes coroistas  
Tito Allen, Adalberto Santiago. Also includes a few tracks from the  
1988 Montreal Jazz Festival ("Geisha Girl" and "Bamboleate"). This is  
Ramirez at the absolute top of his game - his vibes chops are exquisite.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order King Of Latin Vibes Now!

  PEDRO "CONGA" LOPEZ Y SU ORQUESTA INTERNACIONAL
35 Años Con El Golpe De Siempre
Musical Productions
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Killer capital "S" salsa from veteran bandleader and  
conguero Pedro "Conga" Lopez. With compositions by Alberto Barros,  
Julio "Gunda" Merced, Harry Suarez, Axel Martinez, Pedro Jesus and  
others.
Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order 35 Años Con El Golpe De Siempre Now!

  WAYNE WALLACE
The Reckless Search For Beauty
Patois Records
Originally released: 2006
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: With John Santos, Michael Spiro, Paul Van Wageningen,  
David Belove, vocalist Alexa Weber-Morales and many others.
Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $17.98

• Click here to Order The Reckless Search For Beauty Now!

  VARIOUS ARTISTS
Charangamanía Vol. 2: 2-CD Set
Envidia (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; CHARANGA; CUBA
EditorsPick: What a great follow-up to the sizzling Charangamania,  
Vol. 1. This 2-CD set feature bands like Machado Y Sus Estrellas,  
Jesusito "El Gigante Del Timbal", Maravilla De Florida, Charanga  
Rubalcaba, La Sublime, Orquesta Neno Gonzalez and many others. A  
charanga lovers delight.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $21.98

• Click here to Order Charangamanía Vol. 2: 2-CD Set Now!

  VARIOUS ARTISTS
El Solar De La Rumba 2-CD Set
Guataca (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: FOLKLORIC; RUMBA and/or SANTERIA/LUCUMI; CUBA
EditorsPick: Terrific 2-CD compilation of rumba featuring groups such  
as Joaquin Pozo Y Su Rumba De Cayo Hueso, Rumba Eriera, Los  
Muñequtios De Matanzas, Ecue Tumba, Clave Y Guaguanco, Irosso Obba,  
Lazaro Y Los Ambias Del Solar and many others. A rumba aficionados  
must-have.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $21.98

• Click here to Order El Solar De La Rumba 2-CD Set Now!

  RUBEN MIGUEL
Salsa Con Clase
RIC Records
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Fine new salsa project by seasoned singer Ruben Miguel.  
Produced by arranger and sax player Robert Incelli, this old-school  
release also features bassist Rene Camacho, Tito Carrion on congas  
and bongo, trombonist Humberto Ruiz and others. Salsa Con Clase  
includes some classic tracks, like Tite Curet's "La Esencia", "Que  
Humanidad" and Tito Rodriguez' "El Que Se Fue". In-the-pocket  
montunos by pianist Juan "Jason" Garcia. With a top-notch coro  
section that was imported, via Incelli, direct from Oscar D'Leon's band.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order Salsa Con Clase Now!

  ANTHONY CRUZ
Para Mi Gente
Musical Productions
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Anthony Cruz' best salsa release to date. With  
compositions by Pedro Luis, Julio "Gunda" Merced and others. Features  
"Tito" De Gracia, Héctor "Pichie" Pérez, Rigoberto Diaz, William  
"Cachiro" Thompson, Luis Marin, Angie Machado and others.
Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order Para Mi Gente Now!

  CARLOS NUÑO Y SU GRAND DE MADRID
Romantico Y Algo Más
Musical Productions
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA; PUERTO RICO
EditorsPick: More than a bit of fire drives this polished salsa  
romantica project by Carlos Nuño. Features Luis Marin on piano,  
conguero William "Cachiro" Thompson, trumpeter Angie Machado,  
timbalero Tito De Gracia and many others. With a coro section  
comprised of Primi Cruz, Nino Segarra, Darvel Garcia and J. "Papo"  
Sanchez.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order Romantico Y Algo Más Now!

  SON VARADERO
Paseando Por La Habana
Melodias (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SON, GUARACHA, GUAJIRA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Here's a real treasure - a beautiful traditional tres- 
based Cuban son project out of Calí, Colombia. This crisp little  
project is flush with vocal harmonies provided by Kike Lozano, who's  
also one of the two fine treseros here, Harold Mondragón and  
guitarrist Roy Quesada. Also with bongocero Juan Manuel Dominguez and  
bassist, guitarrist and tresero Ricardo Salgado. One of the most  
enjoyable roots-son releases I have heard in a while. And if that's  
not enough, there are three bonus tracks from Cuba featuring the  
bands Quinteto Ecos del Tivolí, Los Naranjos, and Conjunto de Bimbi  
featuring Ñico Saquito, Aroche and Embale.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order Paseando Por La Habana Now!

  VARIOUS ARTISTS
Nostalgia Cubana - DVD
WC Productions (original import)
Originally released: 2007
Category: DVD; SON, GUARACHA, GUAJIRA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Review to follow shortly. (BP)
SONG TITLES:
1. Maracas - Javier Cugat 2. El Cubanito - Javier Cugat 3. El  
Manicero - Javier Cugat 4. El Perro Chiguagua - Javier Cugat 5.  
Granada - Carlos Ramirez Orq.-Javier Cugat 6. Rumba Coniga - Orq.  
Javier Cugat 7. Ya Son Las Doce - Beny Moré 8. Alma Mia - Beny Moré  
9. El Timberito - Beny Moré 10. Homenaje A Beny Moré - Felix  
Chappotin 11. La Montura Y El Caballo - Beny Moré 12. La Cubana -  
Ignacio Piñeiro/Perla Del Eden 13. Sun Sun Babae - Beny Moré 14.  
Virgen De Media Noche - Daniel Santos 15. Me Voy Pa' Moron - Beny Moré
Price: $19.98

• Click here to Order Nostalgia Cubana - DVD Now!

Our SAR_CD_sale (only $10.98 each) ends tomorrow, May 02

Significant links...

• Recent the most current Editor's Picks Reviews
• Read the Descarga's Best of 2006
• The new wave of remastered classic FANIA reissues
• The complete 2006 Descarga Update Archives: 2006
• The Descarga Homepage
• Browse our growing inventory of DVDs

FANIA in transition... The recent acquisition of the Fania related  
labels (Fania, Alegre, Cotique, Vaya, Tico, Inca, Barbaro etc.) will  
mean that this large, historically significant, catalog of titles may  
be in scarce supply until they are reissued. They are going fast. We  
strongly urge those of you who are considering any of the following  
titles to place your order while supplies last. Click below for a  
list of currently available old stock...
old_fania

• Dance salsa now with the best instructional 2-DVD set...
Eddie Torres Teaches Salsa Nightclub Style

Help a friend to subscribe:
If you know someone who is interested, please let them know that they  
should send a message with "subscribe" as the Subject to
Descarga-Announce-request at descarga.com

To Unsubscribe:
Please send a message with "unsubscribe" as the Subject to
Descarga-Announce-request at descarga.com

Descarga.com
328 Flatbush Ave., Suite 180
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Descarga.com
The world's greatest resource for tropical Latin music
http://www.descarga.com

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mail.descarga.com/pipermail/descarga-announce/attachments/20070501/f8bc0534/attachment.htm 