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NOTICIAS CON SABOR- SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA/NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

News about the San Francisco Bay Area live music scene

The SF Bay Area live music scene has been slowly reopening since the Summer and these are the latest developments. The Seahorse in Sausalito continues to offer live Salsa on Sundays in November. The Sunday Salsa calendar for November includes rising Salsa star Carlos Xavier on Nov. 7, Edgardo Cambon y Candela on Nov. 14, Louie Romero and Mazacote on Nov. 21 and Anthony Blea on Nov. 28. The live Sundays also feature the DJ music of KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz.

Space 550 at 550 Barneveld in SF that was offering Live Salsa with Bachata and Kizomba rooms on Friday and Saturdays are resuming their live music offerings on Friday nights. The popular Friday nights cater to the dancers featuring popular bands such as Orquesta Borinquen, Julio Bravo and Salsabor and VibraSON plus Salsa Congress type of DJ’s on the decks.

The Ramp at 855 Terry Francois Blvd in San Francisco continues to offer Salsa at their popular outdoor venue that offers live Salsa every Saturday from 5 to 9 pm and resident DJ Mendy continues his DJ sets until 11pm. Their November calendar features N’Rumba on Nov. 6, Orquesta La Original w/lead vocalist Alexis Guillen on Nov. 13, Karabali with Karl Perazo (of Santana) and Michael Spiro on Nov. 20 and La Clave Del Blanco on Nov. 27.

Rocky’s Market at Oakland’s Brooklyn Basin has finished their events season for the year. This new outdoor venue has been a welcomed addition to the local scene and has made quite a splash since offering live Salsa, Afro-Cuban, World music, Comedy and Dance shows. All-star percussionist Javier Navarette is the curator for the Modupue Sundays Latin shows. Dancers have enjoyed the live music of the SF Charanga All Star reunions featuring Dr. John Calloway, Anthony Blea, Marco Diaz, Christelle Durandy, Orlando Torriente and others, Edgardo and Candela, Pellejo Seco, La Mixta Criolla, Mio Flores Habana All Stars and Navarette and his all-star Socially Distanced Friends band! I look forward to next year!

Logo Rocky's Market Brooklyn Basin
Logotype of Rocky’s Market Brooklyn Basin

More news

Speaking about Anthony Blea…the all-star violin virtuoso has started a new Friday night scene at the Gestalt Bar, 3159 16th Street near Valencia in San Francisco. Blea, led his popular Anthony Blea y Su Charanga (aka Charanson) for many years and was part of legendary SF based bands such as Orquesta Batachanga and Tipica Cienfuegos. Blea is featuring his hot quartet which includes bassist Ayla Davila. Patrons can expect a hot descarga (jam session) with special guests to sit in every Friday night.

Popular Timba/Cuban music DJ Walt Digz has moved his El Timbon Wednesday nights to the Slate Bar 2925-16th Street between Capp and South Van Ness in SF. Digz continues to livestream his “El Timbon” three hour webcasts full of the latest Timba and Cuban Dance videos on Twitch every Tuesday night from 7 to 10 PM PST….Walt Digz is also part of the rotating all-star DJ crew that includes veteran DJ/Promoter Tony O (of Roccapulco fame) and DJ Leydis who are featured on various events produced by Jaffe Events at swanky hotel rooftops and exclusive venues in SF, Berkeley and Oakland. For more information, visit www.jaffeevents.com or check out their Facebook page.

The Peruvian restaurant Kimbara that now occupies the former large space that was part of Bissap Baobab on 3380-19th Street in SF’s Mission District is now offering DJ Salsa nights on Wednesday nights….Cigar Bar, 850 Montgomery Street in San Francisco continues to keep their doors open to Salsa aficionados and dancers on weekend nights. Recent bookings have included their Halloween bash featuring the dynamic Edgardo Cambon and Candela. Patrons can enjoy their drinks, food and cigars at this established North Beach venue for Latin music with no cover.

Restaurant Kimbara
The restaurant Kimbara’s interior

Don’t forget to check out the Northern California return of the explosive Grammy Award winners Spanish Harlem Orchestra for the holidays at the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza in Monterey on Saturday, December 11th! Yours truly, Luis Medina will be your MC and DJ for this special event coming to Monterey! For tickets and more information, visit www.montunoproductions.com or call (510) 586-3215.

International Salsa coming to SF Bay/Northern California…. Look out for Ruben Blades Salswing Tour to land at Oakland’s Paramount Theater on Saturday, November 20th at 8 PM. Ruben will be backed up by the swinging big band of Panamanian bassist Roberto Delgado who are awesome live!! Blades will be performing selections of his current critically acclaimed recording Salswing as well as his vast repertoire of hits and crowd favorites. Salswing which combines Salsa, Jazz and Swing music is already on my top 20 list for this year!!

Gilberto Santa Rosa “El Caballero De La Salsa” and his orchestra will be at the San Jose Center For The Performing Arts on Friday, November 12th. Santa Rosa released one of the best Salsa recordings of the year “Colegas” last Fall featuring all-star duets with Tito Nieves, the late Tito Rojas, Issac Delgado, Herman Olivera and others!….Grammy award winners Grupo Niche from Colombia will be appearing at Roccapulco in SF on Saturday, November 20th as well…..Superstar Marc Anthony will finally perform after several postponements at San Jose’s SAP Center on Friday, December 17th. Anthony is riding high on the charts with Pa’alla Voy, his remake of the group Africando’s Yay Voy 90’s salsa classic.

Be sure to check out my radio programs Con Sabor every Saturday evening 9 to 11 PM PST on KPFA 94.1 FM and worldwide at www.kpfa.org. And…Sabiduria Con Tumbao every Wednesday night 5 to 7 PM PST on WorldSalsaRadio.com. Con Sabor past programs are just archived for two weeks at www.kpfa.org/archives. Sabiduria Con Tumbao’s past programs are archived at www.soundcloud.com. Just go to the World Salsa radio.com page to access the programs and check it out!!!

See you next time. Ciao 4 now!!!

World Salsa Radio
Logotype for World Salsa Radio

BY LUIS MEDINA, PRODUCER AND HOST OF CON SABOR ON KPFA 94.1 FM AND SABIDURIA CON TUMBAO ON WORLD SALSA RADIO.COM

Chucho Valdés Returns To The Iberian Peninsula In November

The Most Recognized Pianist Of The 21st Century Comes Back To The Voll-Damm Barcelona Jazz Festival After Two Years

Chucho Valdés with folded hands dressed in a floral shirt and blue cap
Chucho Valdés has received the award for Musical Excellence from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Latin Composers

The master Chucho Valdés returns to the stage of the Voll-Damm Barcelona Jazz Festival on November 23rd, 2021 after two years of absence. The most recognized Cuban pianist of the 21st century will present his most recent musical production La Creación, a suite in four movements that exalts Yoruba-African history and its influences in South America and the Caribbean. A work dedicated to Olodumare and the worldwide celebration of his 80 years of life.

The founder of the Irakere group comes back to the incomparable sound of the Big Band, Afro-Cuban percussion, Blues, and the set of voices that represents his histrionics as a director, composer, and pianist with La Creación.

On this album, Valdés is accompanied on arrangements, keyboards, and conducting by Canadian Juno award-winning Cuban musician Hilario Durán and the Grammy Award winner and Emmy nominee John Beasley. Playing the Drums is Grammy winner and two Latin Grammy nominee Dafnis Prieto. Also, in La Creación stand out Erick Barbería, Yosvany González Franco, and Felipe Sarria Linares (Batá and voices), José A. Gola (Double Bass and Electric Bass), and Roberto Jr. Vizcaíno (Percussion). Former Van Van member Yeny Valdés adds her melodious voice to this production, while two Grammys winner Brian Lynch and “Daring Improviser” (rated by Jazz Times) Etienne Charles do it by playing the Trumpets. On the other hand, Carlos Averhoff Jr., considered one of the new voices in the new generation of Cuban jazz saxophonists, flaunts his virtuosity on the Tenor Sax and Marcus Strickland on the Alto Sax.

So remember…

Enjoy the concert of the master Chucho Valdés & The Yoruban Orchestra in the Iberian Peninsula!

Date: Tuesday, November 23rd

Time: 8:30 PM

Address: Palau de la Música Catalana. Music auditorium located on Sant Pere més Alt street in the Ribera district of Barcelona, Spain.

Ticket: From 26 €

Chucho Valdés dressed in a floral shirt and yellow cap
Chucho Valdés was born on October 9th, 1941, in Quivicán (Cuba)

In addition to this presentation in Barcelona, ​​the winner of six Grammys and four Latin Grammys, Chucho Valdés has scheduled an autumn tour that will visit the main cities of France and the neighborhood of the principality of Monaco, Monte Carlo. Finishing his tour in the city of Girona – Spain (December 4th) and Castellón de la Plana – Spain (December 11th). Tickets can be found from € 15 depending on the location.

  • You Can Also Read: Pianist Fadi Gaziri Debuts In Salsa Music With Cuba Classic

Currently, Dionisio Jesús “Chucho” Valdés Rodríguez, with more than 60 years of experience, directs a course of group classes that contain 14 recorded chapters lasting one hour. This exclusive virtual academy for pianists was inaugurated on March 15th, 2021.   However, this online study platform already includes live lessons and individualized tutoring with the delivery of certificates for advanced pianists.

“After the experience of the group classes in a virtual way, I realized that the students have different needs, so I decided to start with individual classes for advanced musicians. In this way, the classes will be focused directly on the needs of each one”. Chucho Valdés.

Perhaps These Data May Interest You:

Chucho Valdés dressed in white with nature in the background
To attend the Festival, minors under 16 must be accompanied by their father, mother, or legal guardian
  • The Barcelona Voll-Damm Jazz Festival is one of the oldest events and a world reference in Europe. Their first concert was held on November 3rd, 1966.
  • In this festival, master classes are offered by the best specialists, conferences with fascinating and current topics, meetings with artists, as well as outstanding concerts (some free) for fans and lovers of the Jazz genre.
  • For 32 years (1989) The Project has been the Barcelona promotion company in charge of organizing this autumn meeting annually.
  • The Project was created in 1988 and organizes more than 400 concerts a year with approximately 10,000 musical calls to date.
  • The Voll-Damm drink became part of the festival in 2002, becoming its main sponsor.

In Buenos Aires I held the Tango Festival and World Cup 2021

Buenos Aires, Argentina, the place where the spirit of Tango was born, so when tourists visit this beautiful city they say that to get to know it you have to immerse yourself in the magic of dance.

 

Tango is a dance full of sensuality that was born during the 1800s, a musical style that results from the fusion between African culture and the local cultures of the gauchos and native peoples, in addition to the contribution of European immigrants –mainly, Spanish and Italian – and from the Middle East.

The elegant and passionate movement of tango shows the exotic cultural mix of the first tango dancers and the solemn melodies of this music offer the listener a glimpse into the lives of the first Argentine immigrants, and over time the tango later spread to the wealthier areas of Buenos Aires and at the beginning of the 20th century it became a sensation throughout Europe and the United States.

Photo of Tango Dancers
Tango dancers in Buenos Aires

For many years, Tango Festivals have been held in Buenos Aires every year, being a very attractive event for both national and foreign citizens, where many professional Tango dancers participate and compete and this year it is organized again by the Ministry of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires, Tango BA Festival and Mundial who announced the champions in the categories Tango de Pista and Tango Escenario which was filling the Buenos Aires center with magic with more than 4000 people who enjoyed it with the Obelisk on Diagonal Street North as part of the stage.

The Tango BA Festival and Mundial was held from September 16 to 26, where shows, tributes and the best dancers performed on stage; more than 400 couples from Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, Romania, Poland, Malaysia, Turkey, United States, United Kingdom, China, Germany, Colombia, Indonesia, Ecuador, Mexico, Latvia, Georgia , Bolivia, Canada and Switzerland competed in the Tango de Pista and Tango Escenario categories in this edition of Tango BA Mundial.

The inauguration began on Thursday, September 16 at the Auditorium of the Usina del Arte at 7:30 p.m. where a tribute was made to maestro Aníbal Troilo (he was a bandoneonist, composer, orchestra conductor of Argentine tango) with the orchestral direction, arrangements and solo violin by Fabián Bertero, the special participation of the dancers Sandra Bootz and Gabriel Ortega, and the presence of notable guests such as the singer Sandra Luna and the pianist José “Pepe” Colangelo, the special production “Pichuqueando”.

Photo of the dance stage Buenos Aires
Dance stage for the Tango festival in Buenos Aires 2021

September 17:

  • Starting at 5 pm: the Carlos Gardel Museum presents the Fileteadoras Talk, by Patricia Berman and Claudia Medori and in turn an interview by Silvia Brunelli and Mercedes González Bracco.
  • At 6:00 pm: at the Abasto Shopping, the La Juan D’Arienzo Orchestra performed.
  • Starting at 7:00 p.m., Hernán Reinaudo presented his album Toro mañero in the Chamber Room of @usinadelarte
  • 7:30 pm: María Garay presented 80 years of Life and Song, in Concert, at the Auditorium of the Usina, which were an exciting celebration of her career, with Marcos & Louise, Champions of Tango de Pista 2020, as dancers, Also at the same time, “Eternamente Di Sarli” was presented with the Orquesta Típica Misteriosa Buenos Aires on the voice of Eliana Sosa, at the Amphitheater of Parque Centenario. With Carlos Rossi, as special guest, and Carla Rossi and José Luis Salvo, as guest dancers, not to mention that at the same time there was a class and exhibition by Soledad Rivero and Cristian Gallardo.

September 18th:

  • From 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tango BA drinks the Historic Quarter. He toured one of the most emblematic areas of the City while enjoying concerts, guided tours, and dance shows. In addition, throughout the afternoon, “La Calle de la Música” came to life on a stage set up on the corner of Chile and Balcarce: where Ache Rey & Foul Envido Tango performed; Vanina Tagini & Gabriel Merlino Trío; Alfredo Piro and Profética y Fatal.
  • At 7:00 pm: Walter Ríos Quinteto presented El Tango y la Danza in the Amphitheater of Parque Centenario. A musical journey through the history of tango, from its origins to its contemporary expression.
  • At 8 pm: Cantá began at the Festival at the Carlos Gardel Cultural Space, with Alberto Bianco as host. Those who dare will be able to show their talent and love for tango on stage

September 19:

  • 12:30 pm: at the Usina del Arte, the Qualifying Rounds of the Tango World Cup were held, in the Tango Track Category.
  • 5:30 pm: in Sur en Vivo – Cultural Center – Milonga del Pueblo by Oscar Héctor, Cantá took place at the Festival, with Alberto Bianco as host. An open microphone for tango players who want to break it on stage.
  • 6:00 pm: The Emilio Balcarce Tango School Orchestra presented a tribute to Elvino Vardaro, the great senior violinist of tango, at the Centennial Park Amphitheater. Roberto Leiva & Valentina Cipollone will dance.

September 20:

  • 5 pm: Milonga Lo de Celia Photographic show Espíritu Milonguero, by Silvia Rojas and the magazine La Milonga Argentina.
  • 7 pm: Milonga Lo de Celia and there was a talk about the spirit of the Argentine milonga, with Silvia Rojas and guests.

September 21:

  • At 1 pm: in the Auditorium of the @usinadelarte (it is a unique space that brings together people from all over the world through the love of tango and dance) where all the qualifying rounds of the Dance World Cup were seen, in In the Stage Tango Category, here each couple presented themselves individually where they demonstrated all their talent to the whole world both live and on the web (internet)

September 22:

  • 6pm: The Milonga La Nacional begins with the presentation of My life in the milongas, by Oscar Héctor. The dancer, milonguero and organizer of spaces, portrays what he has experienced from the age of 9 to the present in the neighborhood clubs.
  • 8pm: Milonga El Beso and Hugo Mastrolorenzo presents his book: El tango ha died on stage. A dystopian tale about a robotic and cloned tango.

September 23:

  • A concert was held from Italy in tribute to Astor Piazzolla, and another from Japan with a repertoire of classics and new compositions

September 24:

  • There were classes and shows in emblematic milongas, proposals in cultural spaces, and the show Remembranzas, by Corporación Tango, in the Centennial Park Amphitheater. In addition, at the Usina del Arte, José Colangelo celebrated his 80 years with special guests: Gabriela Rey, Laura Colangelo and Fabián Bertero.
Photo of el Obelisco - The Tango BA Festival and Mundial 2021
Photo of the Obelisk on Diagonal Norte street

On September 25 and 26:

The grand finale of the BA Tango World Cup began, which will be enjoyed both live and through social networks from Vivamos Cultura; This final was very striking since for the first time the great stage set up was on Diagonal Norte, with the Obelisk in the background, giving it a unique image and experience, with different shows and tributes that filled the heart of the City with tango mysticism with:

  • Concert by the Sans Souci Orchestra, presented by Porteñisimo with the singers Emiliano Castignola and Walter “Chino” Laborde.
  • An emotional tribute was made to Juan Carlos Copes, who died this year, in which Johana Copes, his daughter, participated.
  • 32 couples took the stage to compete for 1st place in the Tango de Pista category.
  • Pablo Banchero accompanied by a guitar trio presented Serenatas de Arrabal.
  • The Sexteto Mayor, which together with Roxana Fontán, performed a repertoire with classic themes from all periods and compositions by contemporary authors.
  • The dancers María Nieves and Silvia Toscano, “La Cachorra”, met in a public talk in which María Nieves told the story of how she brought tango to the stage.
  • At the end, a tribute show to “Tango Argentino” was held, a show by Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli, which was decisive in the international recognition of tango. This tribute included exhibitions by important dancers such as Milena Plebs and Fernando Carrasco, Vanina Bilous and Javier Rodríguez, Guillermina Quiroga and Mariano Logiudice and Analía Morales and Gabriel Ponce. The general direction was in charge of Julio Zurita.
Dancing Tango at the Obelisk on Diagonal Norte street
The Obelisk on Diagonal Norte Street – The Tango BA Festival and Mundial 2021

And at the moment of the climax, a great emotion was experienced when Fernando Bravo finally announced the winners in each category, not to mention that the couple chosen by the public was awarded in celebration mode.

“The world champions to the couples formed by Agustín Agnez and Bárbara Ferreyra in Tango de Pista; and Emmanuel Casal and Yanina Muzyka in Stage Tango. ”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people could not be at this beautiful festival, so the organizers made a great gesture with all their followers and transmitted it live by streaming to the whole world on Vivamos Cultura and the Canal de la City with the conduction of the event was in charge of Carlitos Lin and the awards, in charge of Fernando Bravo, so that he would know how the event was going and they could enjoy it from the comfort and safety of their homes.

The winners of the Festival Tango BA and Mundial 2021- Photo
Tango BA Festival and World Cup 2021-
tango dance champions

If you want more details or videos of the event held:

  • Facebook: @FestivalesGCBA

Now You Can Enjoy Tromboranga In Concert

The Orchestra With The Purest Essence Of Hard Salsa Performs Live On October 11th-12th In Valencia (Spain)

The members of Tromboranga with black shirts
Their world tour began in 2019 with almost 20,000 people at their first concert in Ecuador.

As part of the reactivation of local events in Spain, Tromboranga continues with the series of concerts scheduled for 2021. Two will be the concerts that will take place this October 11th and 12th at the Sala Madison Massanassa located in the port city of Valencia on the southeast coast of the European country.

This Concert Hall is located on the outskirts of the city and is less than 10 minutes from the center in the town of Massanassa. You can access it through public transport: train with a nearby stop of 400 meters and by bus (800 meters).

This orchestra made up of ten Latin and European musicians residing in Barcelona will present their unmistakable rhythm of the Salsa brava, which maintains the influences of the 60s – 70s and mixes them with the original sound and danceable discharge to the sound of their trombones, the solid percussion, and the rescue of the soneo (voice improvisation between choirs).

Tromboranga cataloged as one of the new generations of independent Salsero artists will perform their greatest hits such as Humildad, Palo Pa’ La Campana, Ah Caraj, and Mi China Colombiana that have positioned themselves as number one on the main radio and Latin dance charts in the world for the current plot of his lyrics with which surely anyone feels identified.

Black and white African American woman illustration from Tromboranga album cover
Songs like “Un Extraterrestre” and “La Moda” are now very popular with Salsa dancers and DJs in Europe

Also, in this celebration of the tenth anniversary of Tromboranga, you will sing along to the songs from his most recent album Te Voy a Contar recorded between Barcelona, ​​Puerto Rico, and Japan.

This record production was released to the music market in March 2019 and contains nine tracks including Te Perdono in collaboration with Jimmy Bosch performing the Trombone solo, Un Extraterrestre to the rhythm of guaracha, and Huracán No Me Tumbas whose special guest is Ismael Miranda.

Start Time: 9:00 PM

End Time: 3:00 AM

Capacity: 816 people

General Ticket: 25 € 

  • You Can Keep Reading: Don’t Think About Not Attend The Alocubano Salsa Festival

Learn More About Tromboranga

The members of Tromboranga taking a selfie on stage
Joaquín Arteaga (Director, Timbal, and Composer-Venezuela), Diego Coppinger (Sonero-Cuba), Freddy Ramos (Singer-Venezuela), Rafael “Madagascar” Arciniegas (Piano and Arrangements-Colombia), Lorenzo “El diablo” Barriendos (Bass-Venezuela), Trombone Section: Vladimir Peña (Venezuela), Albert Costa (Catalunya), and Miguel Moises (Spain), Oriol Martínez (Conga), and Climent Campa (Bongo)

Tromboranga released their first studio album in April 2012 titled “Salsa Dura” ranked by DJs, dancers, and bloggers specialized in Salsa among the top ten record productions of that year.

In 2013, they recorded “Al Mal Tiempo Buena Salsa” rewarding them with the first international tour that took them to visit France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, Tunisia, Germany, and Colombia. That same year (November 2013) they released a Special Edition Vinyl for only 300 people called “Solo para coleccionistas Vol. 1”.

Likewise, they were invited to the biggest Salsa festivals including the Cali Fair with sold-out crowds and in the following years. Since then, they have created a community known as the “Salseros Tromborangueros”.

The orchestra has recorded six albums in consecutive years: Como La Marea (2014), Sangre, Sudor Y Salsa (2015), Golpe Con Melodía (2015), Tumbando fronteras (2017), Una Noche En Bankok (2018), and Te Voy a Contar (2019).

Nowadays, the songs “Agua Que Va Caer”, “Te Provoca”, “Mama Calunga”, “Amigo El Ratón”, and “Boogaloo Marilu” among others, are being danced on the dance floors of Salsoteca, dance schools, parties, and festivals Salsa worldwide.

DJ. Andy and his Salsa Council

I have known DJ. Andy since he was the resident DJ. at the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde (Puerto Rico) for the salsa nights that I remember attending religiously every Saturday.

However, everything changed when one Saturday night we went to the weekly event as usual.  There we realized that DJ Andy was no longer there.  They say that necessity is the mother of invention.  It must have been out of sheer necessity that the man who would later become DJ Louie Love suddenly learned to play records on his own and without having planned it quite abruptly.

So, years later, destiny took me to the American capital because of a highlight of which there is no longer only the memory.  From that highlight that I would like to forget, in Washington, DC I remember with a deep affection to have met again with the one who had already been called “the most danceable”: DJ Andy.  Life and its twists and turns, we lost track of each other again until one day during one of my missions to New York I decided to go for a little dance without knowing that there I would meet again with DJ Andy.  Andy was already making his way in the Big Apple, the same place where salsa was cooked more than half a century ago.

Anyway, what we came to, to share with you my impression of the third album in which DJ Andy immerses himself in a parallel way in his facet as executive producer.  So, I am reviewing this catchy collection of fifteen tracks because I loved the programming and the variety of what I consider a very complete album, while achieving a first class musical performance.

Consejo Salsero (Venezuela All Stars)

Consejo Salsero (Venezuela All Stars) Despite being performed by Venezuela All Stars, the arrangement of this salsa song is in the best New York style and very well done.
DJ. Andy and his Salsero Council

Despite being performed by Venezuela All Stars, the arrangement of this salsa song is in the best New York style and very well done.  The title track opens the listener’s senses in an invasive but good way; something like a sure way to arouse curiosity about the production and the tracks that follow it.  Marcial Istúriz is as always a sure shot.  Good voice, impeccable rhythm and one of those sonorous sounds that could make him the new owner of sonorous music.  I summarize here from my corner without offending anyone, Marcial is a great sonero.

The son came to the city (Secreto a Voces)

If not the most, one of the most danceable songs of the production. Bravo!

Como se atreve (Renzo Padilla y su orquesta)

The singer’s voice is fresh and synchronized with the kind of lyrics that ask for another chance and shout sincerity.  Before the second minute, the bongo takes over the transition announcing the mambo and the take-off of the “trip” injected by the pregones and the play on words in the soneos.  The winds are carried by a trombone played with cleanness and precision.  The end is announced with a percussive interplay between the winds and the piano, which almost takes center stage without dulling the leather beats.

Señora Rumba (Julio Cortez and his court)

The singer, once again, fits the theme like a glove, since his voice recalls the metallic melody that a bravo theme requires.  The piano harmonizes perfectly with the coros and percussion.  Here there is a perfect harmony between piano, conga and timbales. It seems to me that I hear a xylophone flirting with the conga, without detracting from the piano.

Mary Juana (Carlos Guzmán y su orquesta)

The introduction of the song reminds me of the arrangements of the glory days of Orquesta La Solución, but with a bongó playing in the arrangement.  The trombones announce themselves early on and ask the bongo for permission to join them around the first minute.  The piano harmonizes and gives way to the brass without conflicting with the musical change that around the third minute adopts a style of those with which Wayne Gorbea established his sound.  Masterful the way in which the arrangement moves through varied styles without running over the flow of the music.

Salsa pa’ ti (Grupo Tahona)

This is a very heavy song, one of those that starts with the chorus without shyness.  The boldness of the arrangement threatens to go straight to the mambo in a very elegant way.  A gentle piano solo crosses over from a minute and a half in.  The piano solo gives way to a melodic trumpet solo that doesn’t allow screaming.  The conga takes the lead from just before the third minute, making sure that the brass does its thing, in anticipation of the return of a piano that dictates the chords of the distant line.  All in all, this is a very tasty track.

Quiéreme (Gumby Navedo and his orchestra)

The interpretation sounds great and the singer’s voice is one of those indisputable and unforgettable ones.  The lyrics are worthy of the interplay between the saxophones and the rest of the wind instruments.  At three and a half minutes the pregón changes with a lot of class and distinction before handing over to the saxophones at the end to give way to the closing, which the cueros make precise.

I come from New York (Son del monte)

The flute enters quite early and quite forcefully.  The violins match the flutes and the typical charanga bell ringing.  I imagine that Andy wanted to include a variety of rhythms within the range of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and manages in the process to give us a complete collection.  Even dancing pachanga doesn’t let us forget. Thank you!

Vengo del Congo (Julio Estrada y su orquesta)

The arrangement of the song is one of those classics that could be used as an example to demonstrate the salsa sound without pretension or fuss to anyone who has never heard salsa before.  At two and a half minutes, Julio Estrada plays a heavy piano solo before the mambo enters in all its splendor.  Winds, timbales, conga and piano come together to take us on a journey into a synchronized, non-competitive melody.

Pa’l bailador (La Negramenta)

The introduction of this unquestionably salsa song gives prominence to the baritone saxophone in a flirtation that walks between salsa and boogaloo. However, the boogaloo sound is short-lived, giving way to a well-defined, traditional salsa.  At the third minute, the trumpets enter in correspondence with the percussion. At minute 3:45, the conga takes over the distant line, giving way to the trumpets and timbales, announcing that the song is elegantly descending in intensity.

El rumbero (Leo Pacheco Jr. y su orquesta)

This song wants to highlight the essence of African music within the salsa music made in Venezuela.  This arrangement seems to be inspired by the evolutionary inventions that today are a winning formula.  I am referring to the adjustments that Bobby Valentín made, at the request of maestro Willie Rosario.  The big difference is that this arrangement is somewhat louder than the ones that started this formula several decades ago.  The trombone and conga take over, anticipating “salsa, guaracha y bembé” as the song says.

Nací pa’ cantar (Wiwi Buznego y su orquesta)

The song is pure salsa, conga, pregones and lots of rhythm for the dancer who responds to a fluid arrangement without much distraction.  The first significant percussive cut that captures the dancer’s attention hits the senses at minute fifteen (1:15).  From then on, the performer plays between conga beats, trumpet blasts, pregones and soneos.  The mambo is unforgiving and if the dancer lets himself be carried away by the music, he can feel it to the last drop of blood running through his veins.

Camina y ven (Charanga Masters)

A Cuban song from the heart made in the best charanga format, taking into account that technology allows to improve the sound of the past.  The flute and violins play with the percussion in a daring way, modernizing what was the charanga in its original form.

Mi propuesta (Robert Burgos and Descarga Zason)

The closing track travels to Cuba in pure timba sound.  The singer harmonizes perfectly with the arrangement and the execution of the orchestra, his voice being the typical Cuban voice that stands out in timba format.  Very successful to close the trip of the compact disc with timba.  Very well achieved farewell.

Although the release of this CD was in 2019, for me it is new.  So I take the trouble to assure you that if you listen to it you will love it.  If you dance, you’ll wear out your sole.  And if you don’t, you’ll be encouraged to learn to move your skeleton to the rhythm of this tasty treat.

DJ. Andy el mas Bailable de New York
DJ. Andy el mas Bailable de New York

 

Thanks, Andy, congratulations!

Facebook: Andy Rodríguez

By: Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de La Salsa”

Puerto Rico

WebSite: Bella Martinez

Article of Interest: From Italy Albert Giorgio Giovanni DJ. Lindo Salsa and Bachata

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.