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ROX’s new single “Cristal”

Cristal is dedicated to those strong women

“Composing is a magical process”, said a Venezuelan living in the United States that puts the name of her country very high. She is a multifaceted artist and this time presents her new single “Cristal”.

Roxana Frontini, her real name, known in the industry as “Rox”, unveils her new song: “Cristal”, inspired and dedicated to “all the queens of the world”, as its description dictates. Frontini wanted to consciously empower women and honor what they stand for. The song is within the Latin genre and has a very powerful message: “No one can stop her” is one of the phrases she mentions there, referring to “the glass woman.”

“Cristal” had the voice, melody and authorship of the artist, while the production and arrangements were in charge of Arturo Cabrera. The music video was directed by Nestor Cabrera. Since the beginning of December, it has been available on digital platforms. The positive comments have been increasing, as well as the support of her colleagues and followers; the views on YouTube exceed the 100 thousand.

“Cristal is a celebration of the Queen that each woman carries inside, whatever the path we have chosen, we all fulfill an essential role that contributes to the development of our society. The mother, the daughter, the sister, the cousin, the grandmother, the friend… We all matter”, stated the businesswoman.

In the music video, different women can be seen in their facets of everyday life as mothers and workers. This is the first song she has done in Spanish, and she hopes to release its English version soon.

“Our stories are full of challenges and victories that make us precious, like crystal. In each one of us there is a warrior, a friend, a teacher, an angel, and a queen. It is my greatest wish that by singing and dancing this song, each woman connects with her value, and together we shine more. This goes to my beloved, respected and admired Crystal Women all over the World!”

In the music video she wanted to reflect the process she went through while creating the song. She sought to stay fresh, natural, with little makeup, and everyday wardrobe. For this reason, she added some shots in her gym look, very constant in times of pandemic. With the phrase “This song is for each of you because we are all queens and together we shine more”, ends the credits of the music video.

“Part of the song came out one day exercising on my balcony (because we were in full lockdown); minutes before I had had a long conversation with my mother where we covered her life trajectory, and all the things she has overcome including cancer. Then, when the first part of the song was ready, I started working on a new fine art series called Reinas; this series shows very different women, all with something in common, Modern Crowns: hats of different styles, colors and sizes that symbolize the originality of each one. As this series began, the missing piece of Cristal emerged with total fluidity. Every time I sat down to work on the art pieces, it was like the information for Cristal was downloaded to me”

The work was made up of enterprising women who have obtained great merits in different areas: Almudena Álvarez, lawyer, LL.M, partner at Álvarez Lentner; Gisela Morichetti, Visual Communication designer; Lisset Galeyev, photographer, owner of Lisset Galeyev Photography; also Liz Nieves, fashion designer, owner of Ilogear Active & Dance Wear; and Ethel Schutz, Christian, faith leader, and the woman who taught Frontini to paint. All brilliant and worthy of admiration.

Rox is presenting her new single Cristal — Roxana Frontini better known as ROX.

ROX’s Biography

Rox is Venezuelan, born in Caracas and who has made her way internationally. She is an artist, a businesswoman, and has led projects in different areas. She has a very solid career in different aspects. She founded FashionCurators.com, a business that seeks to provide opportunities for stores, brands, and designers to broaden their horizons, and gain a further scope. She has combined her role as an artist and a businesswoman. She writes, paints, dances tango, sings, designs, creates content, and runs businesses. In fact, she has a personal blog. She has done volunteer work, is an expert in marketing and the digital area. A Crystal woman!

The singer began her musical career from a very young age. Her first steps were at the Juan José Landaeta National Conservatory, in her native Caracas. From the age of 15, she composed and collaborated with renowned artists signed by Sony Music. In addition, she is the daughter of a long-time musician, a member of the Fenix Jazz Band, in Argentina. On many occasions, she accompanied him in his presentations, and learned many tips that she then put into practice, in addition to obtaining greater ease in the industry.

At the age of 17, she started in pop-rock covering songs by some greats of the genre and her favorite singers such as: Shakira, Soda Stereo, Fito Páez, The Police, Alanis Morisette, and No Doubt.

At an artistic level, she stands out for her beautiful pieces, inspired for the most part by the femininity that characterizes her so much. Elegant and very subtle pictures and illustrations. It also offers cell phone accessories, clothing, and details for home decoration. Frontini has other musical singles to her credit in English and Spanish. It fuses elements of pop, electro pop, and Latin music “Oasis”, “Your Groove”, “Better Choices”, among others.

She is one of the most renowned Latin exponents in the United States, and has achieved success in Europe, and Latin America. She has struggled to be successful and overcome life’s obstacles; among them, she had to recover from a facial paralysis that changed her perspective but gave her more strength to continue. Thanks to being a multifaceted woman, she was able to focus her energies in other areas.

Her passion for music, art and entrepreneurship gave her the hope she needed at that time. From this experience, she learned to value moments more, and that the greatest treasures are inner power, creativity, purposes in life, family, and wisdom. For this reason, she wanted to inspire others to grow and have tools to constantly face life.
The artist has been very excited about the release of her new single. She did not miss an opportunity to thank those who have supported her and the women who inspired her:

“Special thanks to all the women of the world, for inspiring this song”

For Frontini, composing is a magical process, she feels blessed to be able to collaborate with producers who challenge her as a singer and author. For her, it is a privilege that she is inspired to go beyond her own mental and emotional barriers.

Her musical career will continue to give something to talk about, and perhaps before we imagine, she will surprise us with her album!

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Angel Bonne He was part of Juan Formell’s Los Van Van Orchestra, and collaborated with the impressive Irakere band of maestro Chucho Valdés

Latin America /Dominican Republic

Angel Bonne born in Santiago in 1961

Angel Bonne began his musical studies at an early age, developing his skills on the clarinet.

The artist confesses that genetically his father, Enrique Bonne, “has a lot to do with his musical taste”; he grew up watching him play the piano, and the drums played in the patio of his house, where musical meetings were held with greats such as Pacho Alonso and Omara Portuondo among others.

After graduating from the National School of Art, he worked as a saxophonist in groups such as: Galaxia, Santiago Feliú, Beatriz Márquez (where he also acted as director), Granma (Santiago de Cuba) and Cuban Orchestra of Modern Music (Santiago de Cuba).

He also participated as a saxophonist, in albums of renowned singer-songwriters such as Amaury Pérez Vidal and Evelyn García Márquez.

He also collaborated with other groups such as the Grupo Síntesis and the Irakere by maestro Chucho Valdés.

His interpretative quality and musical talent led him to form part of one of the most important orchestras of Cuban music, Juan Formell’s Orchestra, Los Van Van, where, in addition to playing the saxophone, he performed as an arranger and singer.

During this period, he interpreted everlasting successes in the history of Cuban popular dance music, as is the case of the song Azúcar, still very much in demand despite having been recorded for more than 25 years.

After graduating from the National School of Art, he worked as a saxophonist in groups — Angel Bonne He also participated as a saxophonist, in albums of renowned singer-songwriters such as Amaury Pérez Vidal and Evelyn García Márquez

His passage by this musical group, is qualified by the own Angel Bonne, like one of the most important moments of his artistic career, in fact has continued collaborating with this transcendental orchestra in the record productions due to the mark left by its vocal timbre in the chorus.

At the age of 33, he decided to make his career as a soloist without abandoning his role as an instrumentalist and his qualities as a composer, and he formed several groups.

His versatility allows him to venture into several musical genres, among which jazz, Nueva Trova and popular music stand out. — Angel Bonne He also shows his skills as a composer, arranger, performer, conductor and record producer.

Since then, he has starred in several record productions: “Pa’ decir lo que yo siento”, “Circunstancias”, “Esta es mi música”, “Por favor escuchame” and “Bonne and Bonne Co. He has also made three albums in which his facet as a singer-songwriter is evident; these are these are: “De otra manera”, “Buscándome”, and “El guardián”. He has participated in more than 60 albums recorded with well-known Cuban figures.

He made the original music and soundtrack of the Cuban soap opera EN FIN EL MAR, from which hits like ESE soy yo, Sueños en la inmensidad and Cada uno por su lado were released.

His versatility allows him to venture into several musical genres, among which jazz, Nueva Trova and popular music stand out.

From Bonne’s discography, you will always remember songs like: ¨Usted will return to passer¨, ¨No I know why he wants me to mi¨, ¨Pura vestment¨, ¨Ya I went from the 20¨, Amigos, which was also nominated in the category of best video of the year at the PREMIOS LUCAS, (an important Cuban audiovisual competition) to others, which also showcase his skills as a composer, arranger, performer, bandleader and record producer.

By: Diana Marie

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Los Angeles salsa and its origins

Salsa and its origins

Salsa is a musical genre of Latino origin that has become very popular around the world thanks to the enormous number of artists who have been responsible for spreading it far and wide. Neither salsa or any of the other genre remains static in time and this is because all the transformations and combinations suffered at the years begin to pass. This has given rise to a number of new styles that have also been spreading to many countries thanks to those interested in learning to dance them.

How Los Angeles Salsa Originated

Los Angeles salsa and how to dance it — Two people dancing Los Angeles salsa

One of those styles is Los Angeles salsa, which is named after the city where it was born. In Los Angeles, United States, a family of Mexican origin was directly involved in the origins of this style of salsa. Francisco Vásquez, who spent a significant part of his life in Los Angeles, was delighted with the way many of the greatest dancers of those years danced in nightclubs.

Around this time, this man began to mimic the movements made by these dancers, to perfect them and to add other Hollywood dance steps. After all this process experienced by Francisco, he gave rise to what would later be known as On1. Sometime later, Francisco would teach his brothers what he learned in these clubs, which gave origin to what would become a family business known as Los Rumberos. These brothers were real important in the expansion of this salsa style, but there were many other professional dancers and lovers of Latin culture who have created other companies focused on promoting many musical styles from Latin America.

A very important thing to say about this salsa style is that it was neither the only nor the first salsa rhythm to become famous around the world, as New York salsa has also become very popular in recent years and includes some of the sounds present in tango, jazz, among others.

The presence of Los Angeles salsa in Europe

A type of salsa that only emerged at the local level has become one of the most sought-after musical styles by European music festivals to give them a privileged place in their respective programs, which implies that Latin music has already expanded in its multiple variants to every corner of the Old Continent.

One of the most important reasons why this style has become so famous is the richness of its steps and the varied movements in relation to other typical dance forms of salsa. If Europeans were already very interested in Latin rhythms, such a diversity of rhythms and styles makes them even more curious about our musical culture.

These competitions and festivals held around Europe are very striking and prestigious, as they invite locals to learn to dance different rhythms in order to be eligible for one of the luxurious prizes offered therein. The best of all this is that these competitions include all levels, so you don’t have to be a professional dancer to have a good time and gain one or another recognition.

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Role of the Triangle Trade in the birth of Cuban rumba

What Cuban rumba is

As we all know, Latin music is a very diverse mix of a series of rhythms and musical styles from all over the world. What we know today as Latin music was the result of a whole concoction of historical facts that must come first in any story that seeks to explain the origins of any Latin rhythm that wants to be studied.

A good example of this that we have just said is the Cuban rumba, which is part of a set of cultural concepts that can be found in many parts of the world. There are certain musical rhythms that have allowed us to see that some seemingly alien places have made us discover each and every one of the common points they have, both historically and culturally.

How Cuban rumba starts

Cuban rumba and the Triangle Trade — Some people dancing rumba and and playing drums

One of the most important historical events that marked the birth of the Cuban rumba was the triangular trade carried out between Africa, America and Europe. This fact was the emergence of a large number of musical genres that were resulting from the mixture of rhythms and styles from all the aforementioned continents.

After the Discovery of America, Europe saw in the New World a useful territory for many of the economic activities that were not possible in their respective countries. In the case of labor, many African chiefdoms offered for sale to part of their inhabitants, something that was seen with very good eyes by the powerful Europeans of the time. This is how what historically would be known as triangular trade began.

This activity consisted of sending low-quality materials to be exchanged by African slaves to work with African and American resources in terrible living conditions. Once in America, some African ethnic groups were in charge of introducing the rumba in the Antilles, although the origins of the groups that brought these rhythms continue to be controversial among many scholars of the subject.

Although the slaves worked very hard during the day, they continued to practice their traditional rituals and rites at night. These practices were entirely based on their traditional music and religious customs to stay united with their Mother Earth despite the remoteness and the circumstances. Over time, these rites and percussion instruments were banned, so the new inhabitants of America had to adapt to the instruments allowed by the Spanish Crown. This made these sounds unknown to the Africans together with their forbidden dances in this land were merging until resulting in what we know today as rumba.

Rumba today

Cuban rumba and the role of the slaves — People dressed in white to enjoy Cuban Rumba on the streets

The characteristics of the rumba vary enormously from one place to another, since there are many variations and changes from one continent to another. In Africa, many see this genre as similar to zouk or benga, while Europeans refer to it as flamenco or Catalan rumba. There have been many artists who have taken on the task of making this genre their own and making it evolve to unsuspected levels to make it what it is today.

Today, we can appreciate a good number of subgenres that have their origin in the same parrones rhythms from which rumba derives in its different versions.

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Camilo and El Alfa release “Bebé”, a bachata song

Listen to BEBÉ the new song from Camilo and El Alfa

The Colombian singer Camilo, winner of a Latin Grammy in this year’s ceremony, joined forces with the Dominican El Alfa to surprise everybody with a bachata full of feelings.

El Alfa is a Dominican rapper that, with lots of professionalism, joined him in this adventure. Camilo has triumphed in the musical industry, and has left more than one surprised with this song in the bachata genre, after all it’s his first experience with it.

My approach to music is always from the illusion, from what my heart asked me, and in this moment it wants to dance pegaito (close)”, expressed Camilo. “It’s a tribute to Dominican Republic, a country that I love with all my heart”, he added.

Camilo and El Alfa — Colombia and Dominican Republic reunite with this song.

Within hours of its release, the song has more than four million views on YouTube, and keeps rising. Camilo looked very pleased with the final result and commented on YouTube:

ALL THE TRIBE DANCING PEGAITO (CLOSE)!!!! Thanks Alfa, you are an incredible human being, very unique! Colombia and Dominican Republic dancing together!!!”; he expressed.

Beside, he announced the release through his Instagram profile:

BEBÉ is released with @elalfaeljefe. This is going to be the soundtrack of my end of the year holidays!!! LET’S DANCE!!! Cheers. THE TRIBEEEE”, he said. The post was ended with emojis of the Colombian and Dominican flags.

Emanuel Herrera Batista, better known as El Alfa also took advantage of his social media profiles to share BEBÉ.

I thought that my first bachata would be with “THE KING” Romero Santos!! But it was my turn to work with the most worldwide mentioned artist, thanks @camilo for this chance! I have so much respect and affection for him”, El Alfa commented with two pictures together with the Colombian singer.

The music video was filmed in Samaná, a seaside city from Dominican Republic, and it was directed by Eva Luna, Camilo’s wife. It shows images from different parts of the island, and it’s focused on a couple’s love, and reflects couples dancing to the song rhythm. The production is under Sony Music Label.

Camilo is very excited about this song and working with El Alfa

It’s the first time that both artists share melodies, and they have been very pleased with the experience, and the final result. In fact, on a recent interview Camilo has given some words about the collaboration:

We met at an award show. I’ve always shown a curiosity for his identity. I think that he is a unique human being and I celebrate that identity, and the honesty above all. I celebrate his honesty in what he does, without asking anybody, without asking permission. He follows his hearts and wrote the songs that it dictates, for me that is something worthy to learn from him. It’s a tribute to the Dominican sound which is a second home for me, because it’s my parents’ home where they live, and each time I visit it, I fall in love more with a country that touches the heart from the first day that you land. I feel that I’m going to have the opportunity to enter the houses of many families with this song”, he commented to Diario Libre.

Could be the beginning of a new chapter for the Colombian singer’s career? Let’s wait and see!

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