The Descarga Review: Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Cubanismo!, Grupo Latin Vibe and more...

Thu May 10 13:56:50 EDT 2007

The Descarga Review • May 10, 2007
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Cubanismo!, Grupo Latin Vibe and more...

Interview:Mario Grillo & The Machito Orchestra
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Here are some noteworthy new and reissued titles...

THE SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA
United We Swing
Six Degrees
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: The highly anticipated new Spanish Harlem Orchestra  
release is here, and it's a salsa blitzkrieg. Featuring the talent of  
Oscar Hernandez, Gil Lopez, Johnny Ortiz, Ray De La Paz and many  
others. This is the real deal, folks - the fire that burns in the  
heart of Latin dance music. Get it *now*. With special guest Paul  
Simon who sings on the last track. Complete review to follow shortly.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order United We Swing Now!

CUBANISMO!
Greetings From Havana
AIM / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Can it really be seven years since their last release?  
Trumpeter bandleader Jesus Alemany and his crew return with a  
triumphant power-punch of Cuban salsa that affirms the tremendous  
force that Cubanismo! can generate. This sublime grouping of guaracha- 
son, descarga, songo, pilon and son pregon is a much needed blast of  
musical machismo to jump-start the summer. With vocalists Rolo  
Martinez, Jose De Jesus Hernandez 'Laito' and Jesus Cantero. Also  
with bassist Roberto Riveron, pianist Rodolfo Argudin 'Peruchin',  
timbalero Luis Valiente 'Betun' and many others. Special guests:  
vocalist Pedro Lugo "Nene", Raul Verdecia, Pancho Terry and Coco  
Freeman.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order Greetings From Havana Now!

GRUPO LATIN VIBE
Amanecer
Latin Vibe
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Grupo Latin Vibe, the highly regarded New York band is  
back with a radiant new release that's pure dancing pleasure. This  
sparkling vibes-based salsa project is packed with extended, dance  
grooves that make Amanecer is a non-stop delight. Listen to the  
treasure "Ramona, La Bailadora" or the laid-back "Por Tu Amor" - a  
few of those special tracks that I can play all day. A fine job by  
vibes player Tommy Mattioli, timbalero Victor Rendon, singer-conguero  
Anibal "Tito" Rivera and others.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Amanecer Now!

FOTO RODRIGUEZ Y SU ORQUESTA LA UNICA
En Honor A Pupi Legarreta - Celebrando El 27 Aniversario
CM/Corre Music
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; CHARANGA
EditorsPick: Orquesta La Unica returns with a fiery charanga to  
celebrate their 27th anniversary and to honor the legendary Pupi  
Legarreta - master violin and flute player. Happily, Legaretta is  
also an integral participant throughout this project. And, man, he  
swings. Listen to the gem "El Cuarto De Trula". Legarreta also sings  
on the track "The Godfather". The project also features singers  
Orlando Fiol, Eric Linares, Freddy Marrero and Foto Rodriguez. Review  
to follow shortly.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order En Honor A Pupi Legarreta - Celebrando El 27  
Aniversario Now!

PONCHO SANCHEZ
Raise Your Hand
Concord Picante
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: Terrific new Latin jazz/R&B release by Poncho Sanchez.  
Sanchez is in top form here, and on Raise Your Hand he's joined by  
guests Andy Montañez, Eddie Floyd, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper,  
Maceo Parker (on a killer version of the classic "Shotgun"), José  
"Perico" Hernandez and others.
Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $18.98
• Click here to Order Raise Your Hand Now!

PEDRO PABLO & LA REBAMBARAMBA
Yo Soy La Noticia
Envidia / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA CUBANA; CUBA
EditorsPick: Relentless and unflinching Cuban salsa-timba from Pedro  
Pablo, ex-Charanga Habanera and Charanga Forever leader and bassist  
(see also the pivotal Los Ases de la Timba). With vocalists Michel  
Maya, Mario Gavilán and Michel Perez. Highly flamable, and
Highly Recommended. Full review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Yo Soy La Noticia Now!

MACHETE Y CAÑA
Machete Y Caña
Envidia / original import
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; CHARANGA; CUBA
EditorsPick: High impact charanga dura. With bassist Jorge Machado,  
violinists Rony Cabarrocas, Edward Marzán, and José A. Pérez Sopilon.  
With timbalero Karel Páez.
Highly Recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $17.98
• Click here to Order Machete Y Caña Now!

JOHNNY RIVERA
Vivo Por Ti
Universal
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Surprisingly good - and, at times, highly swinging -  
salsa release by singer Johnny Rivera. While there are a few more  
romantic tracks on Vivo Por Ti, it's material like the scorching club- 
ready "Mentira" that make the best argument for Rivera's ability to  
to simply rock the house. On the softer side, Rivera does a superb  
job on Malo's hit "Suavecito". This fine production features  
congueros Sammy Garcia and William "Kachiro" Thompson, timbaleros  
Tito De Gracia and Pablo Padin, trumpeter Tommy Villariny, trombone  
players Jorge Diaz, Miguel Rivera and Moises Cancel, pianists Luis  
Marin and Pedro Perez and many others. Rivera has never sounded  
better, and now has the band that can make sparks fly.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Vivo Por Ti Now!

CALLE 13
Residente O Visitante
Sony Norte
Category: POP/OTHER; HIP HOP; PUERTO RICO
EditorsPick: Highly anticipated experimental hybrid hip-hop release  
from Puerto Rico's answer to Cuba's Orishas (who guest here). With  
clever, often biting lyrics and stylistic fusion, Calle 13 could very  
well be the thinking-mans reggaetón. With guests Tego Calderón, Mala  
Rofriguez, and, as mentioned, Orishas. Review to follow shortly.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Residente O Visitante Now!

WILSON "CHEMBO" CORNIEL
For The Rest Of Your Life
Chemboró Records
Category: LATIN JAZZ; LATIN JAZZ
EditorsPick: Just in... new folklore nuanced Latin jazz release by  
conguero band-leader "Chembo" Corniel. With bassist Ruben Rodriguez,  
sax player Ivan Renta, drummer Vince Cherico, pianists Tino Derado  
and John Dimartino, percussionists Louie Bauza and David Gomez and  
many others.
Highly recommended. Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $16.98
• Click here to Order For The Rest Of Your Life Now!

BOBBY CRUZ
Románticos De Ayer, Hoy Y Siempre
Tropisounds / original import
Category: BOLERO; BOLERO / BALADA
EditorsPick: The romantic side of Bobby Cruz. With Diego and Jimmy  
Gale on percussion, trombonists Alberto Barros and Morist Jimenez,  
bassist Giovanny Montoya and many others. (BP)
Price: $14.98
• Click here to Order Románticos De Ayer, Hoy Y Siempre Now!

GRUPO GALE
Mano A Mano De La Salsa: Grupo Galé Vs. Grupo Niche
Codiscos / original import
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Blistering compilation of material from the two top  
ticket Colombian salsa bands. Play this one at your next party, then  
stand back and watch the fireworks. "Buenaventura Y Caney", "Ven A  
Medellin", "Cali Pachanguero", "Listo Medellin", "Mi Vecina" and many  
other heavy hitters.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Mano A Mano De La Salsa: Grupo Galé Vs. Grupo  
Niche Now!

GLORIA ESTEFAN
Live In Atlantis - DVD
Epic / Sony
Category: DVD; PERFORMANCE
Description: Special DVD Features:
*Biography
*Complete Discography
*Photo Gallery
*Digitally Mastered
*Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
*PCM Stereo
*Instant Chapter Access To Songs
Price: $19.98
• Click here to Order Live In Atlantis - DVD Now!

CUCO VALOY
Sonero Y Valor
Kubaney / Emusica
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
EditorsPick: Excellent compilation of the best salsa from dominican  
singer Cuco Valoy. With "Juliana", "Salsa Caliente", "Los Soneros De  
Ayer" and many other top selections.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $13.98
• Click here to Order Sonero Y Valor Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Mambo At The Palladium, Vol. 1
Universal/Protel
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; MAMBO, CHA CHA CHA
EditorsPick: From the vaults of Tico records come this fine twelve  
track compilation of mambos by Mongo Santamaria, Celia Cruz, Tito  
Puente, Machito, Joe Loco, Tito Rodriguez, Louie Ramirez, Johnny  
Colón, Pete Terrace and others.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $14.98
• Click here to Order Mambo At The Palladium, Vol. 1 Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Cha-Cha-Cha At The Palladium, Vol. 1
Universal/Protel
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; MAMBO, CHA CHA CHA
EditorsPick: More great vintage stuff from the Tico label. If cha-cha- 
chá is your bag, this compilation is made for you. With material from  
Johnny Pacheco, Titp Puente, Pete Terrace, Joe Cuba, Típica '73,  
Charlie Palmieri, Machito and others.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $14.98
• Click here to Order Cha-Cha-Cha At The Palladium, Vol. 1 Now!

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Los Grandes De La Salsa Dura - En Vivo
Codiscos
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA COLOMBIA; COLOMBIA
EditorsPick: Review to follow shortly. (BP)
Price: $15.98
• Click here to Order Los Grandes De La Salsa Dura - En Vivo Now!

The Back-in-stock department...

WILLIE ROSARIO
La Banda Que Deleita
Mr. Afinque/ Gennara
Originally released: 2006
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Back in stock! A *new* Willie Rosario, you ask? Well,  
partly. The songs on La Banda Que Deleita first appeared on  
¡Sorpresas!, originally released on the Tiffany label in 1995, then  
on the Envidia label on which it is still available. Mr. Afinque,  
however, re-imagined this material utilizing a dynamic Choco Orta -  
adding to a roster of other great salseros: Rico Walker, Cheo  
Andujar, Iris Martinez and Henry Santiago.
Now, I was originally told that only the vocal parts were updated on  
La Banda Que Deleita. However, a closer inspection shows that the  
band lineup, according to the liners, is entirely different! Now the  
only thing I am *not* confused about is how great this CD is. Killer  
club salsa at its best. Choco does a remarkable job on "Lo Que Yo Más  
Quiero." But I can say the same for the other vocalists who sound  
clean, focused and full of muscle. And the band handles the  
arrangements by José Febles, Perico Ortiz, Humberto Ramirez, Jose  
Lugo, Tommy Villarini and other heavy-hitters with finesse and drive.  
Willie at the top of his form.
Highly Recommended. (BP)
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order La Banda Que Deleita Now!

GRUPO CARIBE
Un Congo Me Dio La Letra
CMS Records
Originally released: 2002
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Back in stock! This sparkling salsa project, produced by  
veteran band-leader/pianist Sergio Rivera, features an all-star line  
up of leading New York musicians and singers. Highly infectious, this  
uptempo grouping of songs with original arrangements underscore deep  
dance grooves and vibrates with an almost big band flair. This one,  
folks, is for the dancers.
The three lead vocalists -- Herman Olivera, Frankie Vazquez, and  
Frankie Figueroa -- do an outstanding job here. I loved Mr. Vazquez'  
handling of "A Tite Curet," smartly arranged by José Madera. With an  
eye on tradition and another on the dance floor, Grupo Caribe has, in  
the last few years, established themselves as *the* keeper of the  
flame for capital "S" salsa. "Un Congo Me Dio La Letra," is clear  
evidence of that fact.
Highly recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order Un Congo Me Dio La Letra Now!

GRUPO CARIBE
Ritmo Nativo
CMS Records
Originally released: 2000
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Back in stock! (BP)
Price: $15.98

• Click here to Order Ritmo Nativo Now!

GRUPO CARIBE
Son De Melaza
CMS Records
Originally released: 2000
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: Back in stock! Oomph! What a great straight-ahead New  
York salsa number this is. This is the debut CD for Grupo Caribe, a  
band who has been playing throughout NYC since 1996.
Recommended. (BP)
Price: $16.98

• Click here to Order Son De Melaza Now!

Recent highlights...

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!

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!

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!

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

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