SALSA.IT vol 8 Reviewed by Rozana Skyte

SALSA.IT folks strike again, this time with a new compilation recording by Alosibla. This project was designed with the international market in mind. Three of the tracks are in English; most of the rest of the recording is primarily in Spanish. There are some good Timba, and Romantic salsa tracks, and nice bachatas. Although some of the selections like Montate, Habia Cavour!Dancing Tonight! and Miami! for example) are unmistakably "Cuban" in the way that most listeners would apply the label, this

Italian Hustle Music present Hustle 4 Dancing Reviewed by Rozana Skyte

Armonia Bachatera
Reviewed by Rossana.Skyte

Bachata is a musical form little known outside the Dominican Republic until sometime in the 1960s. As music of the poorer, lower classes, it was hidden; a 'bachatero' was stigmatized by negative stereotype and even the music's audience took pains to hide their appreciation of the form. It's interesting that while bachata is often called the "music of bitterness" (usually due to foiled love), the artists express little bitterness as they describe and illuminate their struggles and the music's rise.

Tia Yova - Nancy Murillo

Reviewed by Lubi Jovanovic

Nancy Murillo is a "calena", a native of Cali, the Colombian city known as "la capital de la salsa. Currently based in Paris, she originally trained in all aspects of dance at La Morada Dance School in Cali, from contemporary to folkoric Colombian and salsa, where she also took acting and singing classes. On leaving college, she pursued a singing career in various groups in Cali and Bogota before moving to France. Always working, she has been involved in the Paris latin scene for some years now, performing with bands and

artists such as Calentura, Azuquita and Los Sombres Heros. "Tia Yova" is her debut solo CD and is a well produced and played collection of mainly cumbias, a few salsa tracks, an afro-latin folkloric number and a guajira cha cha cha. The songs are all original compositions by Nancy and the band Los Sombres Heros, who play very well, and the production of the CD is equally impressive for an independent release. Crisp brass and percussion, solid piano and warm bass. Just the way good latin music should be recorded. Nancy's voice is not the the strongest but on the whole, she pitches well and has some power, especially on the cumbias which she seems most comfortable with, and the folkloric afro-latin "Africa Mia". Obviously as a salsa DJ, I go for "Barrendera" which has a nice Colombian salsa feel with tasteful brass arrangement for trumpets and trombones. Not being a cumbia expert, I can't really comment deeply on them but they sound authentic and I really like "Conentida" which reminds me of my old Sonora Dinamita LPs from the 1980s and features a great clarinet solo. "Cumbia Nene" sounds like Perez Prado playing cumbia, an interesting fusion which once again features clarinet. "Tia Yova" is a good debut from Nancy Murillo and shows us that the Paris latin scene is still vibrant and turning out quality music.

Lubi Jovanovic

(Lubi Jovanovic has been working in latin music in the UK and world wide since 1982. He has compiled CDs for Fania Records, DJ'd salsa congresses across the world, toured band like Eddie Palmieri, Jimmy Bosch and Manolito y su Trabuco in the UK and co-produced latin radio shows for the BBC).

Hoy tengo que cantar (Today I have to sing) is the first solo album of Alejandro Martinez. Alejandro is well known as the singer of latin pop group Mezcla Latina, but his many and diverse talents don't rest there. He also has a conservatory degree for Choral Conducting, a Didactic of Music from the Conservatory in Buenos Aires and he attended the Italian Music University of Bologna where he investigated choral renaissance harmony. As well as his current involvement with Mezcla Latina he is also Conductor of Gospel Choirs True Voice and Note Nere Padova, and is tango singer with Ruta

No alcanzan palabras para tí (There are not enough words for you) is the new album by Yamila Guerra. It's produced by her brother Yamil Guerra and features many talented musicians, including conguero Luis Conte, drummer Jimmy Branly, timbalero Raul Pineda, Rigoberto Lopez on baby bass, and trombonists Humberto Ruiz and Francisco Torres. Yamila is a Cuban born singer (now based in Los Angeles), actress, TV host and dancer and is daugther of the famous

Cuban singers Rosell y Cary. She graduated from the Havana Ballet School and Variedades Artisticas and has toured many different countries, including Spain, France, Portugal, Martinique, Guadalupe, Mexico, Cuba and the U.S. The album consists of eight songs, three of which are tributes to other great Cuban artists - Celia Cruz with 'Quimbara', Miguel Matamoros with 'The Paralytic' and Celina González with 'Santa Barbara (Changó)'. Yamila talks about her music being like fire and bringing happiness to people and you can easily get swept along with this sentiment. Like most things Salsa it exudes a certain passion and sexiness and is wonderfully upbeat and vibrant. Yamila is an accomplished singer and carries the songs with ease. I'm not a Spanish speaker myself and thus don't understand most of the lyrics, but this doesn't lesson the enjoyment. My only criticism would be that, at only eight songs, it feels a little short. But that's hardly something to complain about and I would recommend this album to anyone with an interest in all things 'latin' - it'll get your feet tapping in no time! To order a CD, check out www.yamilaguerra.com

El gato salsero’s first track definitely makes you want to jump on your feet and start dancing! I first listened to it in my car on my way to work and it definitely put me in a great mood for the rest of the day! The album has 8 songs and a video clip bonus. All the songs are great, most of them energetic with a great dancing rhythm and also some slower ones, perfect for beginner salsa dancers. My favourite one is track 3 “Fuiste Tu”, very romantic.

LEGACIA DE LA SALSA

Reviewed by Angie Parkinson

This is a must buy album for all salsa dancers. Each track is vibrant and powerful. There are not many salsa albums that contain such a lively tempo from beginning to end, put this in your CD player for a continuous salsa dancing. Containing a powerful percussion element with marvellous vocals which has created this fabulous album for the salsa dance scene. The CD includes singers Hector Rey, Jaime "Megui" Rivera, and Mannix Martinez.

The CD also features the fabulous timbalero Tito De Gracia, pianist Ceferino Cabán, sax player Roberto Calderon, and trombonist Jorge Diaz. All of the tracks, Amarte Es Un Mito;Iluminame;Te Voy Amar;Siento Tu Mano En Mi;Si Te Vas Panuelo De Lágrimas; Ya No Mas; Se Me Ha Metido; En La Piel; Una Vez Mas Se Marcho, I cannot choose one track as a favourite, they are all extravagant. An inspirational and traditional album that is highly recommended.

SALSA.IT COMPILATION VOL.6

BY ALOSIBLA.IT

Reviewed by Angela Parkinson

To encapsulate, this album delivers a diverse soundtrack that encompasses the traditional, the modern and the futuristic styles of Latin music. It will suit all latin enthusiasts from young to old and is a must buy album.

GIRALDO PILOTO & KLIMAX - SALSA TIMBA

SOLO TU Y YO

by Angela Parkinson

This CD is a must buy for all those who have a passion for Cuban music. The album is vibrant and captures the true Cuban rhythms. Each track has its own individuality. La permuta reminds me of musicians playing in a Cuban street, and playing with true passion, each track has a strong percussion element but is very different in each and every track. It is truly composed well. The tracks are well balanced and contain strong Cuban/Latin feeling that makes you get up and dance.

I can imagine a warm summers evening, in a plaza and lots of people dancing and enjoying the spirit of the music.
The CD does really inspire and ignite your inner spirit. It mixes a traditional Cuban style with a modern twist. Piloto cleverly mixes two music styles in spectacular style, to produce an album that incorporates a twist on timba music.

To order a CD, check out www.bismusic.com ggeneral@bismusic.artex.cu

DAD ME AND MUHAMMAD ALI

Is a truly inspirational book written by Felix Rodriguez.

by Angela Parkinson

Felix draws on own his own life experience of growing up in a single parent family. Felix narrates a story about breaking his Father's signed photograph of Muhammad Ali. It shows the emotion that is felt when his Father discovered about the broken picture and how persistent he was in making up to his father with a visit to a bookstore to see Muhammad Ali. The book tells us about a wonderful story of Father/Son relationship. Chapter 3 tells us the emotion that is felt, probably in most households, when you break one of your parent's prized possessions. You can feel the anxiety and tension around the dinner table, in wondering what his Father was going to say or do.

Chapter 4 goes on to the story of how he will make up the damage to his Father. The disappointment in not winning the bid for the tickets to the bookshop, then the constant phone calls to the bookstore, his determination eventually pays off. The next morning he wakes his Father and tells him his surprise.

Throughout this powerful and emotional book you cannot help feel a part of every chapter. However, most importantly, his book carries a message to all Fathers and Sons. It's a story of a father/son relationship that is truly inspirational and must for all families to read and enjoy.

Particularly heart-warming is Felix's special message to the Champ. Additionally, there is Muhammad Ali's Professional Boxing Record. You must take the Aliologist test at the back of the book, even better if you can do this with your family. There's even a certificate for you to sign. This book is an excellent narrative and also interactive. Share this book with your family and make it part of your memories.

Author's web site: http://www.dadmeandali.com/whats-new.html

You can buy this book from booksellers or by contacting

!Universe
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington
IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

Also in amazon website: http://www.amazon.co.uk/DAD-ME-MUHAMMAD-ALI-Father/dp/1440146233/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252748993&sr=1-1

LA RUTA SIN FIN

by Caroline.W.

• Debut album by Oliver
• 12 tracks of irrepressible salsa salsaton and bachata
• Released by Alosibla Italy

Had I any pretence of being a music critic, I would probably snob at the idea of including what is after all a commercial CD into the ‘must have’ collection; thankfully, I have not such concerns and I serenely admit that this CD is among my favourite. It must be clear from all this that when I listen to this CD I tune completely into it. It is for me one of those CDs which, once it starts, you simply can not turn off. Salsa, Salsaton and Bachata are compiled together on this CD.

The introductory song salsa track “Tu Decides” was clearly designed to be a dance hit, track.

Some songs have a gentle swing, slow pace, and hypnotic rhythm to them; they are meant to be romantic love songs like .“Tus ojos” , “Amame”, “Ay amor”, “Amiga amante”, a lovely Bachata tracks that will fill the demand of the dance floor.

Having said that, this release should be classified as a fairly good CD. First, it is fully danceable, Salsa tracks very suitable for beginners, with slow pace, clear beat and very precise recording, which makes the percussion crisp and unmissable.

Another CD that will please the versatile listener, with a chance to sample different styles of music.

Bachata is a very sensual and sexy dance, you can just let your body move freely and allow your body and soul drowns with the music and rhythm. With this dance you can show your passion and emotion and be transported to a whole new world, the music based around guitar is exciting, the dance has that distinctive & sensuous body movement.

This CD is available from www.alosibla.it www.salsa.it

 

FARFALLA TANGO TRIO

by R.R

This recording has such an irresistible swing that once you listen to it, you have to play it again and again. The CD starts with "VUELVE A MI" a romantic salsa track writting and interpreted by Estupinan Maxino, followed by a salsa version of “AIRE/AIRE” with the singer Rita, the group’s female singer.

For the Latin Jazz lovers, this CD also include a track written by Tito Puente “RAN KAN KAN” interpreted by Alejandro Jesus and Rey. The album ends with "SINTONIA TOTAL", a timba track interpreted by Miguel Enriquez Ciclon Cubano, N’Taya and El Rubio Loco.

Bachata is also prominent in this release, reflecting the popularity of Bachata at the moment.

The Salsa.it compilations were created to promote new talent, as well as the regulars to the compilation. As well Caiman, in this volume we meet Croma Latina with ‘Por Ella’, by permission of the Latin Europe label. The new Cuban voice on the scene Moises Fernandez provides the Salsa ‘Lo Bueno’. Back again are Tony Velardi and Haban’Ahora with 2 tracks, the Salsa ‘Gozando’ and the Bachata ‘Sin Tu Amor’. Federica Oste returns with the Bachata ‘Noche Sin Ti’. EuroCuban Project is welcomed back with the bi-lingual ‘Shut Up’. After achieving success recently, Myjkool is also back with another bi-lingual ‘Never Forget Me’. And there are many more.

European Latin music has a different sound to music from Latin America that is unique to the continent, I would describe as softer. If you like this, or would like to sample this sound, this is a good compilation to have.

It has a strong Japanese influence. It is sung in Japanese and draws from Southeast Asian music. The vocals have a sweet quality. Sung over slow tempo drums and the sound of waves, it serves to break up the lively songs that dominate this album.

Unabo is another full album, sung in Spanish, Japanese and Okinawan language. As well as their own material, this release includes covers of classics, like Quimbara and ‘Hey! Hey! Tequila’ (their version of ‘Tequila’). In ‘Hey! Hey! Tequila’, they substitute the word Tequila for Kachimba, an example of their fun approach to music. This CD showcases the unique spin they put on classics, making them their own. When I first heard Kachimba, I was stunned. I’ve heard French salsa but this is the first time that I’ve ever heard Japanese, or should I say Okinawan, salsa. They fuse Cuban salsa with Southeast Asian music. It could arguably be classed as a sub-genre.

The Japanese female vocals have a sweet quality, while fitting so well with the Latin rhythm. Their sound is exciting because it is so new to me. Also, Kachimba 1551 as a band is unique. Not for salsa purists, they play with the music and draw from a wide range of influences. It never ceases to amaze me firstly the universal power of Latin music to spread throughout the world all the way to Japan, secondly that a completely non-Latino band can pull off salsa, thirdly how non-Latinos can sing in Spanish as a second language with such ease and finally how any language can sound so at home on top of Latin rhythms.