Jesus Enriquez
Nada Sera Igual
(c) 1996 RMM Records
Distributed by: RMM UNI
RATING: ***
I Met this talented artist in a record release party that RMM threw for the "members of the press". The hit songs off that album were 'De Que Manera Te Olvido' & 'Queda' The former song's intro was recorded with real mariachis. "It was pretty funny! We called up these guys to play for us and they showed up in full mariachi gear. I guess they thought they were going to perform in a birthday party", said musical director Edwin Sanchez. Anyway, that album was titled 'Motivos Para Soñar' and it made good sales for a first album. On this overdue second release for RMM Jesus Enriquez, does his thing with more finesse and conviction. There is 'Como Fiera, Como Dama' by Lolita De La Colina, and my personal favorite 'Lejos De Ti' by the man resposible for Johnny Rivera's 'Por Eso Esta Conmigo' & 'Se Parecia Tanto A Ti'. Of course I am referring to none other than Ricardo Vizuette. There is even a fabulous ballad titled 'En Este Lado Del Mar'. This ballad elevates the entire recording to another level. And even though this recording is not produced by Sir (pre India, Marc & Victor) George; it sounds like him - And I like it!. His singing & improvisations are superb and the coros are flawless, unfortunately the arrangements are could be a bit more spicy. This production however is very danceable, great for the mellow moods of late evenings with ice cream and brownies, and excellent for cocktail parties and other social events where conversation and other forms of "social climbing" are allowed.
Mickey Taveras
Luchare
(c) 1995 Karen Records
Distributed by: Karen Records
RATING: ***
I must confess, I HATE his debut single "Quiereme". The minute I played this song at WBMB 590am Baruch College Radio I ralphed. I find the song so bubble gummish, that almost sickening. To begin with, its lyric make no #@%!!! sense. I mean the day someone "splits the moon in half" and "makes a necklace made of stars" call me, I'd like to meet the heavenly slayer. Better yet, I'd like to meet the person that is willing to accept such idiotic gifts. I thought that the entire production was merengue, and the promotion of 'Quiereme' (a salsa song) was an attempt of some unscrupulous marketing expert to capitalize on salsa's popularity in order to promote a merengue album. But I was wrong - although this recording is very mellow, it's all salsa! And it swings! The arrangements by Tommy Villarini & Carlos "Cuto" Soto are nothing out of the ordinary, but they keep you hooked. There is however a new guy that goes by the name Peng Bian Sang. He/She/It provided Mickey with three fresh arrangements that are interesting & refreshing to say the least. The coros are 50% female 50% male, and I LOVE female coros. They are catchy and they do some serious background vocal effects like echoing oh's & ah's. My only major gripe (aside from 'Quiereme') with this production is the fact that Mickey Tavares sings with too much echo. At times the echo is so pronounced that it is quite a task trying to understand him. He has fine voice without all those electronic additives, and he is a better songwriter without the silliness of looking for the stars and the moons. Hey! But who cares?! Women perhaps?
Paquito D' Rivera
Tropical Nights
(c) 1999 Chesky Records
Distributed by: Chesky Records
RATING: ****1/2
Legend has it that The Tropicana Nightclub, with its huge luxurious ballrooms and extravagant casinos, was da' bomb in Havana Cuba. Can you imagine the sound of the huge orchestras that played there? Imagine four trombones, five trumpets, five woodwinds that included clarinets, sopranos, altos, tenors, and baritones. I can you visualize the sounds of a Duke Ellington & Count Basie type orchestra doing afro-cuban rhythms? In 1999? If you think not, better think again! This is exactly what Paquito D' Rivera has done with the help of Mr. Big Band Sound Ray Santos, and other young talented musical heavyweights. The chachacha, the guajira, and the danzon, are very much alive in this incredible production. The woodwinds sweeten every musical measure with their ingeniously melodic pizzicato, reminiscent of those true mambo guajeos, like the one Rene Touzet did on ‘The Cisco Kid' theme. Tropicana Nights also has a dosage of mambo Latin Jazz, with Puerto Rican bomba interludes. There are two vocalist featured here: Brenda Feliciano & Lucrecia singing on "Siboney", "Como Fue" and "Ami Que/El Manicero". With a running time of 49:35, Paquito D' Rivera's Tropicana Nights is a must have for the serious big band sound collector, for the true fan of true Cuban music, and for the beginner anxious to learn.
RATING SYSTEM:
***** EXCELLENT (Must Have!)
**** GREAT (Very Impressive!)
*** GOOD (Safe Investment)
** AVERAGE (Not a Priority)
* POOR (Don't Waste Your Money)
© Nestor A. Louis ALL REVIEWS ARE SOLELY THE OPINIONS OF THE AUTHOR.
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