• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

International Salsa Magazine

  • Home
  • Previous editions
    • 2025
      • ISM / August 2025
      • ISM / July 2025
      • ISM / June 2025
      • ISM / May2025
      • ISM / April 2025
      • ISM / March 2025
      • ISM / February 2025
      • ISM / January 2025
    • 2024
      • ISM / December 2024
      • ISM / November 2024
      • ISM / October 2024
      • ISM / September 2024
      • ISM / August 2024
      • ISM / July 2024
      • ISM / June 2024
      • ISM / May 2024
      • ISM / April 2024
      • ISM / March 2024
      • ISM / February 2024
      • ISM / January 2024
    • 2023
      • ISM / December 2023
      • ISM / November 2023
      • ISM / October 2023
      • ISM – September 2023
      • ISM – August 2023
      • ISM July 2023
      • ISM Edition June 2023
      • ISM – May 2023
      • ISM April 2023
      • ISM March 2023
      • ISM February 2023
      • ISM January 2023
    • 2022
      • ISM December 2022
      • ISM November 2022
      • ISM October 2022
      • ISM September 2022
      • ISM August 2022
      • ISM July 2022
      • ISM June 2022
      • ISM May 2022
      • ISM February 2022
      • ISM January 2022
    • 2021
      • ISM December 2021
      • ISM November 2021
      • ISM October – 2021
      • ISM September 2021
      • ISM August 2021
      • ISM July 2021
      • ISM May 2021
      • ISM April 2021
      • ISM June 2021
      • ISM March 2021
      • ISM February 2021
      • ISM January 2021
    • 2020
      • ISM December 2020
      • ISM November 2020
      • ISM October 2020
      • ISM September 2020
      • ISM August 2020
      • ISM July 2020
      • ISM June 2020
      • ISM May 2020
      • ISM April 2020
      • ISM March 2020
      • ISM February 2020
      • ISM January 2020
    • 2019
      • ISM December 2019
      • ISM November 2019
      • ISM October 2019
      • ISM Septembre 2019
      • ISM August 2019
      • ISM July 2019
      • ISM June 2019
      • ISM May 2019
      • ISM April 2019
      • ISM March 2019
      • ISM February 2019
      • ISM January 2019
    • 2018
      • ISM December 2018
      • ISM November 2018
      • ISM October 2018
      • ISM September 2018
      • ISM August 2018
      • ISM July 2018
      • ISM June 2018
      • ISM May 2018
      • ISM April 2018
      • ISM March 2018
      • ISM February 2018
      • ISM January 2018
    • 2017
      • ISM December 2017
      • ISM November 2017
      • ISM October 2017
      • ISM September 2017
      • ISM August 2017
      • ISM July 2017
      • ISM June 2017
  • Download Salsa App
    • Android
    • Apple
  • Spanish

Search Results for: Son

ISM February 2023

Romantic duos in Latin music

The month of love is coming, and nothing better than accompanying those moments with good music. Latin music has always been loaded with romance, passion, heartbreak, and despite that each of the listeners feels identified with the lyrics, and moves to their rhythms. Added to the great artists, both the active ones and those who have already left, there have been songs that raise the level due to the union of two of those singers. In this article we tell you about the most romantic duos in Latin music.

These are the most romantic duos in Latin music

Marc Anthony and La India – Vivir Lo Nuestro

One of the most popular salsa songs at the start of the new millennium. This work launched both singers to stardom. To this day it is a song that many couples definitely identify with, with lyrics like:

“En una noche cerrada

Voy a detener el tiempo

Para soñar a tu lado

Que nuestro amor es eterno”

The eternal love between both parties, the desire to shout to the world how much you love your other part, and that there is no obstacle to stop them, is the message they want to give.

“En un mundo sin razas

Sin colores, ni lamentos

Sin nadie que se oponga

En que tu y yo nos amemos”

Despite the resounding success of the song, and the boost it gave to both their careers, they are currently not on good terms, which shows that although the song is loved by its fans, and speaks of a love without barriers, external factors can end a relationship, be it friendship or professional. So it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting a fresh, live version of this romantic classic anytime soon.

Maná and Rubén Blades – Sábanas Frías

This is a combination that few expected back in 2002, but Blades has never hidden his desire to collaborate with many artists. On this occasion it was the Mexican Rock group Maná, who had the great opportunity not only to mix the talent of the group with the great Panamanian artist, but also the fusion of two genres, rock and salsa so characteristic of Rubén. 

The song talks about how lonely a person in love feels, without their other half living under the same roof. So as the track progresses, he invites his love to live together, to take care of each other forever, and share everything.

“Y te cuidaré por siempre y donde quiera

Te amaré como uno quiere a su bandera

Yo te quiero compartir todo, todo mi amor

Te comparto mi cuarto, mi cama, mis besos

y todo, todo amor”

This is one of the emblematic songs of Maná Revolución de Amor album, released in 2002. As its name indicates, it is totally dedicated to love, that’s where Sábanas Frías came from, but nobody expected the collaboration with Rubén Blades to bring that tropical sound so typical of Panama.

Eddy Herrera and Liz – A Dormir Juntitos

Merengue is another genre that does not escape love, and one of its hymns is A Dormir Juntitos by the Dominican singer Eddy Herrera, who invited the Venezuelan Liz, known for having been part of Los Melódicos, so that both of them could mix their talents in this song.

If you take a look at the lyrics, it’s not completely a love song, but more about heartbreak, since it talks about a couple who are separated, and although they still love each other, they can’t sleep together again. 

“Y yo te veo

A través de la ventana cuando te vas

Y llorando me dan ganas de decirte, quédate

Por qué estamos durmiendo solos

Si nos seguimos queriendo

Si nos seguimos amando

No dejamos de lado el orgullo y volvemos”

Víctor Manuelle and Oscarcito (Yakozuki) – Si Tú Me Besas

Puerto Rican singer Víctor Manuelle is well known for the romantic lyrics that make up his songs. For 2011 he worked with the Venezuelan producer Oscar Hernandez, better known as Oscarcito or with his new name Yakozuki. This is how Si Tú Me Besas was born, a song that was originally covered in 3 versions for the album Busco Un Pueblo, so you can enjoy the song in salsa, pop and ballad.

“Bésame despacio

Y no se te ocurra dejar libre

Ningún beso ni ningún espacio

Con ese cuerpazo

Dame el privilegio de viajar hacia el espacio”

The lyrics talk about the experience of kissing your partner, and everything that this awakens in both parties. It not only talks about the feelings that arise from a kiss but also that you can forget the world through it. There is a fourth version of this song, although it follows the salsa genre, it is sung by both Víctor and Oscar, which got more followers in many countries.

This is just a small glimpse of all the great duos that Latin music has given us over the years. Without counting all those who will come, since the new generations show more and more talent.

The return of Ray Sepúlveda to Europe

The return of Ray Sepúlveda to Europe

Ray Sepúlveda loves his music ardently, and it is for this reason that, for two decades, he has been one of the most notable voices in salsa to date. This much loved singer takes every opportunity he gets to give us all of his soul through his music, and his most intimate feelings. One of his first steps this 2023 is to visit Europe, to celebrate Valentine’s Day with all his European fans. Learn more about the singer, and his dates for this Europe Tour with the following lines.

Ray Sepúlveda is a singer forged in Salsa’s golden years

Sepúlveda Jr. was born in Brooklyn, his parents are originally from Puerto Rico. Today he is a successful singer who has recorded five albums for his current label RMM, and has built up a reputation as a vocalist on all continents. However, his journey to his success was not an easy one.

Since his childhood, Ray Jr. learned everything from his father, Ray Sepúlveda Sr., who was a bolero singer, and a member of Trío Los Románticos. This experience allowed him to listen to the best artists from Puerto Rico and Latin America, which inspired him to follow his dreams of becoming a renowned singer.

At the end of the 70’s Ray managed to record his first album and two more under Fania. He also got to dabble in the cinema, and in the 80s he even worked with Hector Lavoe. But in those years there was a decline in the genre, which is why Sepúlveda came to work with the United States Postal Service.

The 90s were his return to the stages with the Johnny and Ray Orchestra, with which he came to record his greatest hits. As he himself has commented on several occasions: “At that stage of my career I had the opportunity to work with Sergio George, the music producer of Salsa Con Clase. Sergio greatly influenced, and in a way created the musical style of Ray Sepúlveda.”

A few years later he would sign with RMM which led him to further consolidate his solo career. In “Salsabor,” his fifth production with RMM, Ray Sepúlveda shows us his way of being and feeling. He uses the same energy that he had on his first album with them, and inspires us to enjoy his well-known romantic salsa sound.

Ray has made appearances at some of the world’s most famous venues. For example, he has played in New York’s Madison Square Garden several times, including a Valentine’s Day concert. He has also performed at Radio City Music Hall and at the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey to celebrate RMM’s 10th anniversary. In addition, Ray has traveled throughout Europe, receiving a great reception especially in Italy.

2023 marks his return to Europe

This new year marks the return of Ray Sepúlveda to the European stages with his Europe Tour, led by Luisito Eventos and Amber Productions. This tour consists of a total of 6 dates, starting on February 3 in Madrid, Spain. Two dates follow in Italy on the 4th and 5th, in Genoa and Firenze respectively. It closes with stops on 10, 11 and 12 passing through Milano, Italy; to then reach Valencia and Barcelona in Spain.

In these presentations Ray will captivate the audience with his best-known classics, in addition to showing his new songs from his latest production Salsabor, among which stand out: Como Tiembla El Alma, Eres, Lo Necesario, Sabes Que Soy Aquel, among other great works. To obtain tickets for these dates and enjoy a great night, you just have to contact the following numbers: +34627098111 / +34635417043.

“Mambo Night in Miami Beach” celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of “El Inolvidable”, our own Tito Rodriguez

 

De izquierda a derecha, Tito Puente, Jr., Mario Grillo, Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Foto: sobejazzfestival.com
De izquierda a derecha, Tito Puente, Jr., Mario Grillo, Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Foto: sobejazzfestival.com

The initial idea of bringing together the three great orchestras of the Palladium in this innovative “three-in-one” orchestra concept came to Mario Grillo more than two decades ago.

As early as March 3, 2022, the mambo heirs celebrated the coming of age of The Big Three Palladium Orchestra in New York. Twenty-one years after the establishment of this remarkable big band, the concert entitled Palladium in the New Millennium took place in a packed Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.

The first presentation of 2023 of the “three-in-one” big band and coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the birth of “El Inolvidable”, Tito Rodriguez, the South Beach Jazz Festival’s line-up opened its musical offerings on Saturday, January 7, 2023 with the concert entitled Mambo Night in Miami Beach. At around 8:00 p.m. The Big Three Palladium Orchestra took over the Miami Beach Band Shell when Mario Grillo, known in the music scene as Machito, Jr. kicked off the musical feast that awaited us, to the sound of Cuban Fantasy.

Foto:  Miami Bandshell broadcast
Foto:  Miami Bandshell broadcast

As you can see, each of the “big three of the Palladium” and owners of the mambo in its golden age inherited a timbalero son. These three bandleaders have made it their mission to keep the Palladium legacy alive and well.  Although the mambo heirs have transcended the label of being the sons of the mambo owners, they do not forget that the Patriarchs are still a topic of conversation in musical circles around the world.

For the concert at the Miami Beach Band Shell, The Big Three Palladium Orchestra was joined by the veteran musicians: Carmen Laboy on baritone saxophone and musical direction; Jose Heredia on tenor saxophone, Mark Friedman on alto saxophone and flute, Julio Andrade on alto saxophone; Larry Moses, Seneca Black, Dante Vargas and Julio Diaz on trumpets; William Rodriguez on piano, Jerry Madera on bass, Daniel Peña on bongo and Diego Camacho on tumbadoras.  On the vocal front, Sammy González, Jr. was backed by the coros of Starlyn Benítez and Tatan Betancurt.

Carmen Laboy en el saxofón barítono y la dirección musical de The Big Three Palladium Orchestra Foto: Ethan Dangerwing of Masterwing Creative Agency
Carmen Laboy en el saxofón barítono y la dirección musical de The Big Three Palladium Orchestra Foto: Ethan Dangerwing of Masterwing Creative Agency

The upscale repertoire vibrated and rumbled at the Miami Beach Band Shell, an elegant venue steps from the beach, which was filled to capacity.

Mario GrilloFoto: sobejazzfestival.com
Mario Grillo Foto: sobejazzfestival.com

Mario Grillo’s highlights were: Cuban Fantasy, Oye la rumba (La rumba), Ahora sí, Piñero tenía razón (Piñero was right), Babarabatiri (Babarabatiri) and Rumbantela (Rumbantela). On the other hand, Tito Rodríguez, Jr. performed the following songs: El que se fue, Cheveré, Yambú, Avísale a mi contrario, Agua de Belén and Fagot’s world. In the performance of Avísale a mi contrario, the conga of Diego Camacho and the bongo of Daniel Peña, who “quinteando a lo bravo” and adjusting to the tuning of the timbal in charge of Rodríguez, Jr. opened the way for the winds. And the winds entered through the wide door to increase the tempo of the night, which was already heating up to the sound of mambo.

Tito Rodríguez, Jr.Foto: Migdalia Sánchez
Tito Rodríguez, Jr. Foto: Migdalia Sánchez

When it was Tito Puente, Jr.’s turn to play the timbal, he affirmed that Tito Puente was the pioneer in having a woman in the vocal front of an orchestra.

Then, preparing to close the first segment of the concert, he introduced Puerto Rican businesswoman and singer Melina Almodóvar, whom he backed for the performance of Mi socio.

Tito Puente, Jr. y Melina AlmodóvarFoto: sobejazzfestival.com
Tito Puente, Jr. y Melina Almodóvar Foto: sobejazzfestival.com

The grand finale of the event placed the three timbaleros heirs of mambo in front of the orchestra to delight us with a masterful performance in sync with the rhythmic base that Diego Camacho and Daniel Peña did not hesitate to maintain.

Last year such a show was promised in which the heirs of mambo honor the legacy of their fathers on Puerto Rican soil.  The show was to be entitled “Palladium in the new millennium” and was to be presented on Father’s Day at the Symphonic Hall of the Fine Arts Center in Santurce. However, it was cancelled.

I often say that the past is the past and the future is uncertain, so let’s hurry and wait for The Big Three Palladium Orchestra to perform in Puerto Rico.

I for one continue to live in salsa, which is still magic, fantasy and illusion.

Bella Martínez Writer, researcher of Afro-Caribbean music

You can read: Mike Arroyo the guitarist Using Jazz to praise God

Bella Martínez Writer, researcher of Afro-Caribbean music and author of Un conguero para la historia, Las memorias de Jimmie Morales.

787-424-8868

Tribute to Eddie López for his career

How were his beginnings?

On January 10, 2023, the death of Eddie Lopez has been made known, who has been one of the greatest pillars of the radio station KXLU since 1976 when he started his career as a DJ. His arrival came during the third anniversary of the famous program ”Alma Del Barrio”, being a fundamental piece in the huge success the show had during several decades and making it remain part of the programming of the already mentioned radio station.

Host of the radio show ''Alma Del Barrio'' Eddie López
Host of the radio show ”Alma Del Barrio” Eddie López

A little bit of his life

Eddie Lopez was originally from Los Angeles and spent much of his childhood in his father’s photography studio, which may have been one of his greatest inspirations to dedicate his life to the arts in adulthood. After graduating from Cathedra High School, he was admitted to Pepperdine University, but switched to Loyola Marymount University, from where he finally graduated in 1978.

Although much of his professional career was spent at KVEA Channel 52 Telemundo, he spent 46 years working at ”Alma Del Barrio” and streaming the best Afro-Cuban music through the waves of KXLU from 2pm to 6pm. During all these years, Eddie always said that he wanted ”Alma Del Barrio” to be as professional as possible and encouraged all his colleagues to always be better every day to give their best to the audience. He also said that this show was not only a work team with common interests, but a family in which everyone supported each other to achieve their goals.

All those involved in his life who came to know him say that he was a man completely dedicated to his family who deeply loved his wife Vanessa and his daughter Nina, who were always his greatest motivation to get ahead day by day. He was loved by all his family and friends, who are very sorry for this sad loss in the Latino cultural world of Los Angeles and the United States in general.

Eddie López with his daughter Nina
Eddie López with his daughter Nina

Reactions to his passing

In the social networks of ”Alma Del Barrio”, the sorrow of the team over the physical disappearance of the host can be clearly seen. On the Facebook account of the show, there are several messages referring to all that Eddie achieved during his professional life and all that he contributed to the show ”Alma Del Barrio” and to the radio station KXLU. These comments are accompanied by photographs in which Lopez can be seen carrying out his work with the enthusiasm that characterized him in those periods when he practiced the profession he so loved, which was communication.

One of those who mourned the loss of the broadcaster was the host of the program ADB, Alan Geik, who had been his personal friend for decades thanks to the passion for the media they both shared. It all started when Eddie hired Alan to host a evening show called ”Latin Dimensions” at a station that works in a small classroom.

Geik did not have any plans to become a broadcaster at the time, but Lopez convinced him by telling him it could be a great adventure and a learning experience for himself. When he accepted, he never thought that the programme presented by him would multiply the number of audience several times over thanks to the popularity he was gradually acquiring. Not to mention that the station where the program was aired moved to better facilities and became a radio power.

The host ends his note of mourning by expressing that he is proud to have been such a good friend of Eddie and all that they achieved together thanks to the professional team they formed during such a long time.

Eddie López working at the radio station
Eddie López working at the radio station

Read also: ”Salsa Con Sabor’’ and its contribution to salsa music

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 137
  • Page 138
  • Page 139
  • Page 140
  • Page 141
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 236
  • Go to Next Page »

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.