Search Results for: salsa

La Candela Salsa Orchestra has a new album titled “On Time”

Europe / Peru

After the worldwide success of their previous work on the best dance floors, the Candela Salsa Orchestra makes a new foray into the sound of legendary sextets like Joe Cuba’s, seasoned with the characteristic sound of the vibraphone. The DJs at conferences and salsa parties, who support Candela’s work worldwide, have had a lot to do with this success, such as:

Members of the new musical theme On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra — Members of the new musical theme On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra

DJ Pablo Bat (Spain), DJ Hugo Leite (Portugal), DJ Chino (Colombia), DJ Momo (Japan), DJ Lasse (Norway), DJ Antonio La Conga (NYC), DJ Mauri (Holland), DJ David Muñoz ( Germany), DJ Toni (Switzerland) or DJ Andrea Martini (Italy) among many others.

With this new work, La Candela promises not to leave lovers of a pure and authentic sound focused on the dancer, where there is no shortage of montuno, mambo, guaguancó, pachanga, boogaloo and danceable Latin jazz.

On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra Members — On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra Members

The album, which is produced by Batlei Productions and with the collaboration of Canarian musicians, such as Manuel Ángel Lorenzo “Mangüi” and the “Original Big Band”, makes a nod and at the same time a tribute to the great dance bands of the 50s, the golden age of the prestigious Palladium in New York.

After the success achieved in the last edition of the Benidorm Salsa Congress, the most important congress held in Spain, this year they repeated the visit once again last Thursday, July 13, where they officially presented this new album, which has been recorded at Arena Digital under the direction of sound engineer Juan Carlos Hernández.

Presentation "On Time" Benidorm (Photo by Alfil Photography) — Presentation “On Time” Benidorm (Photo by Alfil Photography)

In a very short time and leaving from the Canary Islands, La Candela has been able to carve out a niche for itself within the salsa scene worldwide. Their music can be heard from Australia to California, passing through such exotic places as Taiwan, Malaysia, India, etc. With the new album, they intend to establish themselves in this market and make different presentations that are already closing both in Spain and in the rest of Europe and America.

La Candela is made up of: Rafael “Richie” Rodríguez, voice; Fonsi Rodríguez, piano: Alejandro Fuentes, bass: Jordi Arocha, vibraphone; Fran Martín, congas; Alberto Martín, timpani; José Brito, bongo and bell. A band that mixes experience with youth, which provides a fresh and different sound for the dancer. Without a doubt La Candela is here to stay “On Time”.

The album is now available on the digital music platform CDBaby.com and soon on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, etc. It will also be available very soon in CD and vinyl format at www.cucumpa.com

More information on Facebook: lacandelasalsa

Front Pagedisco On Time - Candela Salsa Orchestra — Front Page
disco On Time – Candela Salsa Orchestra

Charlie Aponte presents his best salsa album

North America / USA / Las Vegas

Charlie Aponte presents his best Salsa album. Partying with his first Latin Grammy 2018 nomination

Puerto Rican salsero Charlie Aponte has plenty of reasons to celebrate his first Latin GRAMMY nomination, with his second production

“Pa’ Mi Gente” which was recognized in the category of “Best Salsa Album” for the nineteenth installment of these prestigious awards that will be delivered on Thursday, November 15 in Las Vegas.

“Very grateful to the Recording Academy, especially its members, for this important support that is definitely one more step to continue reaping success” said the artist who is reaching his five years as a solo artist.

“Pa’ Mi Gente” achieved an important debut, reaching the top of the “record pools” lists, with its songs, “La Salsa se Hizo Pa’ Bailar” and “No se le Presta el Alma”, which have been the most listened to, likewise; “Nobody takes away what you dance”, which was the first promotional single and which contains a video on his official YouTube channel, by this artist who works independently with the Criollisimo Inc. label.

This album is made up of 11 songs, among them one of his own authorship under the guidance of the musical director on the album and all his presentations, maestro Sammy García, who together recorded this production in the MÁS Audio studio of the sound engineer and producer Angelo Torres.

Charlie Aponte, who will soon release his new music video “Besos de Azúcar”, continues with his artistic commitments, including New York, Medellín and various presentations in his native Puerto Rico, and to end the year he will be with the public of Colombia, in the “Heroic City” Cartagena.

Biography Charlie Aponte:

Charlie Aponte, one of the most beloved voices remembered by thousands of salseros around the world, returns to the stage as a soloist in 2015 after 41 years of belonging to the salsa university, “El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico” Now he’s back as a solo artist.

Born in Caguas, PR on February 2, 1951. It was in 1973 when, after the departure of Pellín Rodríguez, he joined the “Mulatos del Sabor”. Since then there have been many successes that have been proclaimed as successes through Charlie’s voice. He has contributed as a vocalist and displayed his capacity as a sonero in hits such as “Brujería”, “Amor Brutal”, “La Loma del Tamarindo”, “Compañera Mía”, “No hay cama pa’ tan tan Gente”, “Hojas Blancas”, “ Rice with Beans”. Among many others.

In 2014, together with the multi-award winning producer, Maestro Sergio George (Top Stop Music), he presented his new musical proposal “Una Nueva Historia”. This new proposal has the best and most recognized composers and arrangers. Presenting the song “Para Festejar” as his new single in promotion, and grateful for the public’s reception of his musical production, which was on the Billboard charts for 10 consecutive weeks, which catalogs it as an excellent piece of music.

He debuts as executive producer of his new proposal “Pa’ Mi Gente”, a production by the best musicians, arrangers, composers, available in all major stores and digital platforms. In this new project he has a bolero composed by the artist, among other surprises for the public that follows him.

Accustomed to leaving his soul in each of his performances, he assures that with this album he intends that his followers listen to him, dance and continue to appreciate the quality with which his music is made.

The Great Combo of Puerto Rico – The famous salsa orchestra

Latin America / Puerto Rico / Puerto Rico

The Great Combo of Puerto Rico will receive 2019 in Puerto Rico.

The famous salsa orchestra will offer a dance concert on the last day of this year at the Miramar Convention Center.

For the first time in more than two decades El Gran Combo will have the opportunity to say goodbye to the year on its island, a fact that for the legendary Rafael Ithier does not go unnoticed.

“For me it is a huge satisfaction and I think for the whole as well. Lately we have said goodbye to the year in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, in the (Dominican) Republic, where we are going quite frequently, but in Puerto Rico it has been more than 20 years since we said goodbye and for us it is an enormous satisfaction that we they invited him to fire him,” the musical director of the famous salsa orchestra said in an interview with Primera Hora about the dance concert they will offer at the Miramar Convention Center.

“We are going to be able to be with the family and many friends that we do not see during the year. Because remember that we are a traveling band, and we spend all the time traveling”, added Ithier, anticipating that the public will be able to enjoy the best of the repertoire of the group with more than 56 years of experience.

“And if they allow us, and they will always allow it, we will play three or four numbers that we have new, because people always expect something new from El Gran Combo,” Ithier assured, sitting on the balcony of his home in Bayamón.

The Great Combo of Puerto Rico - Photo — The Great Combo of Puerto Rico – Photo

Mariantocook: In this kitchen “La Salsa” puts in the flavor!

Europe

Maiantocook:

Mixing two passions to a perfect match, is possible. Going into the kitchen of this beautiful woman means tasting a universe of flavors with your tastebuds, soul and hearing, yes your hearing comes included, when we talk about Marianto.

Teaching how to make fresh pasta in your kitchen in Panama

By Carmen Aular

María Antonieta Pérez Mendoza is Mariantocook, a culinary reference for those looking for options to learn professional cooking techniques and run to apply them at home and delight everyone with exquisite flavors, and preparations of an executive chef. She delights her followers constantly with recipes made with love, sense of humor and a lot of stories that she shares with a special happiness in her social media. She opens the doors of her home and shows us how to prepare, in the simplest way, amazing dishes that seem more elaborate. She is, also, very open to helping her followers, when they contact her in private asking for tips and a word of advice.

All this is wonderful and exciting to share, but why did Mariantocook really catch our attention? ¡La Salsa! This Venezuelan chef living in Europe not only makes everything look easy and exquisite in a few minutes, but, as if that were not enough, she enjoys cooking, listening to music and being inspired by it. Her Salsa Brava repertoire has inspired too many interesting and delicious dishes. Music is a ‘must’ in her kitchen.

This’ how it all started

Marianto is a Professional Chef at CEGA (Gastronomic Studies Center) in Caracas, Venezuela, and although her love for cooking began at a young age, her professionalization in the area did not come until many years later. She can cook for private dinners for 25 people or in the kitchen of “my little piece of heaven in Tuscany” as she calls it.. The kitchen is the same, what changes is the context.

In the middle of process to discover something in what could be good no matter the age, Marianto decided to cook; because she could take the kitchen and go anywhere in the world and at any time. And so, she took her kitchen to Italy, where she settled with her family and where she continued to learn from the original source of the recipes.

This entire project that has made a very good impression in social media and that she decided to call Mariantocook, began when her son going off to college in the United States and she needed to do something to not be sad and at the same time learn something new. Many videos, recipes and bloopers later, the result has been fantastic.

Cooking is passion, and that extra flavor in Mariantocook’s kitchen, is the music. There is a careful selection of a theme for cooking, from which derive colors, ingredients and even smells. Creating a menu inspired by music, depends of the chef’s mood. There is nothing tastier than cooking, singing and dancing.

For this passionate cook, the most dynamic and wise menus are inspired by the notes of Salsa, while the most passionate ones come straight from Jazz. After this affirmation we wanted to make a creative exercise and we decided to ask Mariantocook how she imagines a menu to the rhythm of Salsa Brava, a menu, especially designed for International SALSA Magazine. This was the extraordinary result:

International Salsa Magazine menu to the rhythm of Salsa Brava and masterfully designed by Mariantocook.

Appetizers

“First the tasty percussion” to begin with: Andean sweet ‘Arepitas’ (cornflour tortillas) with banana, ‘Telita’ (type of cheese produced in Venezuela) cheese and colorful sweet pepper jam. Mini dogfish ‘empanaditas’. Arepita Reina Pepiada (specialty of Caracas with chicken and avocado). “Here we have represented a few regions of Venezuela: Los Andes, Margarita and Caracas.” (Different regions of Venezuela with their own and very characteristic flavors). The “arepitas / arepas” are round tortitas made with cornflour, water and salt and are usually enjoyed fried, roasted and even baked.

Arepa with grilled chorizo, arugula and tomatoes

Entry

“The introduction begins with the instruments of the whole orchestra”: Minced grilled octopus, seasoned with tomato, escalonias, olive oil, coarse salt, pepper and fresh thyme.

Main dish

“Then comes the discharge”: Matricciana and fried pancetta, tomatoes, pepper and pasta with some grated pecorino romano cheese.

Dessert

“It ends with a bolerito”: Pears candied with syrup.

Bon appetit!

Auyama and mandarin cream with bread croutons

First the music

Before starting to cook, Mariantocook first puts the music, Thinks of a theme, and even improvises her culinary compositions when she has an opportunity. She also selects the wine, and cooks for it. She is a faithful believer of the argued kitchen, and to transmit to the diners what she feels while cooking. Marianto’s kitchen is a deep kitchen that comes from the soul and the heart and looking for memories, not only to be in a kitchen worthy of remembering, but that it also brings back memories to whoever sits at the table.

We want to close this editorial note with three of the questions we asked Mariantocook during a pleasant interview and a lot of learning. Marianto, as a good Venezuelan, flees from the Italian winter and takes refuge in her little house in Panama, where she was able to talk with ISM about her project, her passions (cooking and music), her plans for the future and her motivations.

ISM: What would you advise, from your life experience, both in the kitchen, as in the initiative to undertake the Mariantocook ’s project, to those entrepreneurs who want to start in the world of cooking or who want to venture into culinary art?

Mariantocook: Study, read, learn. Understand the reason for each process in each recipe. Be curious; do not be dogmatic, because dogmas close your head. Be humble, although with self-esteem, but without falling into the fatuous. Keep an open mind to new knowledge. Love everything. Cook with love and passion, no halves, give it your all.

Marianto Cook making delicious fresh pasta

Variation of La Carbonara with smoked salmon

ISM: What are your salsa recommendations?

Mariantocook: ‘El libro de la salsa’ de César Miguel Rondón is the tastiest thing you can give away. Rubén Blades, Adalberto Santiago, Ray Barretto, Bobby Valentín. ¡Salsa Brava!

ISM: What comes with Mariantocook?

Mariantocook: Cooking, editing, music. Learn many things to improve the videos and all the material I’m doing. I want to buy 2 or 3 cameras so that everything looks more professional.

You can follow Marianto on Instagram: Mariantocook, and by the same name subscribe to her YouTube channel. From wherever, she will always share her human warmth and that magic to cook and teach everything she has learned since she was 10 years old.

Photos: Mariantocook’s courtesy

Unstoppable Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of Salsa

In the midst of the release of the single in which she collaborated with Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes ‘Dos pa’ lante’, on April 13, 2024; Melina Almodovar performed at the most important salsa festival in South Florida in the U.S. Melina also serves as an entrepreneur, along with her partner Cristina Moinelo, for the past nine years.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodóvar

Each year, the Hollywood Salsa Fest focuses on the importance of salsa music, recognizing that Afro-Latin music fuses us into a culture that draws from diverse roots. This year’s festival – sponsored by the city in a public-private partnership with various businesses – was held at the Artspark at Young Circle.

As masters of ceremony, the festival featured the winning team of “Meca” from Salseo Radio and “El Cacique” from Zeta 93 FM, Puerto Rico’s leading salsa radio station. On the decks was DJ “Boricua loco” with a tremendous selection of salsa, in addition to coordinating from his musical corner the dance exhibitions by the salsa dancers of YC Dance Studios.

The first orchestra in charge of starting the concert, Latin All Stars, counted with the vocal and scenic mastery of Marlon Mendioroz, Yorman Clay, Adrián Marchant, Yomil Rivas and Frank Cróquer, backed by a musical team that did not fall short of the expectations of those who waited patiently for the stage to light up with good salsa. Latin All Stars was followed by “Juano, tu cantante” from Cali, Colombia. The team of musicians of the orchestra with the second shift shined accompanying who for 16 years was part of Orquesta Guayacán.

The trumpet player also performed in the mid-afternoon block, preceding the arrival of the Hollywood Salsa Fest Orchestra in a segment in which they accompanied Hilda Naranjo from Cuba, Fabián Rosales from Chile and Joey Hernández from Puerto Rico.

At around 6:00 p.m., it was the turn of the Cuban sound known as timba, with the Julio Montalvo Orchestra and Miami’s Huracán. Once the hurricane winds that accompanied Julio Montalvo ceased, tribute was paid to the late Venezuelan percussionist Robert Vilera thanks to the staging of Vilera Son. The tribute to Vilera’s legacy featured the talents of Los Gaitanes from Panama, Avelino Romero from Venezuela, El Mola and Braidsman from Cuba, as well as Robert Vilera’s first singer, Felix Argenis.

“La muñeca de la salsa”, Melina Almodovar, was backed by Luigi Flores from Costa Rica on piano and musical direction, Johnny Fortunato from Dominican Republic on bass, Pablo Molina from Venezuela on timbales, Juan Pablo Camacho from Venezuela on tumbadoras, Carlos Molina from Venezuela on bongo, Carlos Perez from Cuba on first trombone, Ramon Benitez from Colombia on second trombone, Carlos Frank from Cuba on first trumpet and Julian Cifuentes from Colombia on second trumpet.

On backing vocals, Melina was backed by: Joe Arroyo from Puerto Rico and Freddy Lugo from Cuba. Melina gave us a first class show. As part of Melina’s performance, “El Calvito Reyes” joined her for the first time to perform the recently released single ‘Dos pa`lante’ as a live duet.

During the afternoon, the festival took place under a beautiful blue sky that kept the crowd’s enthusiasm positive. During the night, the clear Floridian skies kept the attendees dancing at full steam. Of course, to that end, the aforementioned talents kept the stage in salsa.

The festival closed with the always remembered for the classic ‘De barrio obrero a la 15’, Chamaco Rivera, who with a stellar salsa career to his credit, not only kept the audience engrossed in his impeccable staging, but also introduced us to his guest artist, his son: Christian Ray.

Melina contó con el respaldo vocal de Joe Arroyo de Puerto Rico y Freddy Lugo de Cuba

Christian delighted us with his repertoire shortly before inviting us to listen to his recently released CD entitled El legado continúa. To bid farewell to the musical day, which lasted nearly ten hours, the grand finale invited the group of singers who had paraded on stage during the day and part of the night to come in and jam with the “papa de los pollitos” (father of the chicks).

We are waiting to enjoy the next ‘Hollywood Salsa Fest’, for which the businesswomen in charge promise to throw the house out of the window. Melina and Cristina have delivered nine festivals in a row. So see you in April 2025 to dance in the tenth edition of the same.

Also Read: A party of dancers at the concert to celebrate Willie Rosario’s 100th birthday