CD Reviews.

Edwin Bonilla

Edwin Y Su Son

(c) 1999 SAR Records

Distributed by: Guajiro Records

RATING: ****1/2

This production is nothing less than flavorful.   Edwin Bonilla Y Su Son is a production dedicated to el son.   Having worked with some of the biggest and most recognizable names in the music and film industry, Edwin Bonilla is one of the better known percussionist in the business of entertainment.   Edwin's CD is extremely tasty!   The percussion and coros work so well together that you can't stop your head from bobbing in almost every track.   By the way, Edwin does all the percussion parts.   The vocals and arrangements done by Jesus A. Perez (a.k.a. Niño Jesus) of Ricardo Lemvo's Maquina Loka are the seasoning that complement this son feast.   There are some guarachas along the way that allow Edwin to take some solos that do not interfere with the dancer's groove.   Overall Edwin Bonilla y su son have captured the essence the son and the son montuno for the delight of all listeners and dancers alike.  

Mo' Guajiro

Pueblo Alegre

(c) 1999 Independent

Distributed by: Independent

RATING: ****

I love this CD!   The thing that immediately grabbed me about Mo Guajiro was the harmonization of the voices.   Jainardo Batista & Nicolas Woloschuck make an interesting sounding duo.   To me they are this generation's Johnny Pacheco & Justo Betancourt.   As you listen to Mo' Guajiro, from track to track, you'll notice the forceful freshness of their sound.   The way they glide from guajiras, to son montunos, to a bit faster paced son, is just mesmerizing.   Mo' Guajiro grooves best on what seems to be their specialty - The son.   With one trumpet, one trombone, and one sax, the son montuno is perfectly executed on "Caballo", "Percusión", and "Gato Negro".   They also display great versatility by playing grooving boogaloos that metamorphosize themselves into swinging montunos.   Look! Mo Guajiro has everything your ears yearn to listen, including a bolero/chachacha.   They are without a doubt New York City's little secret about to be discovered.  

Kako & Ismael Rivera Jr.

En La Avenida Otra Vez

(c) 1984 Kaluma Records

Distributed by: If You Can Find It Records

RATING: *****

What can I say to you, in order to make this record hunting expedition worth it?   As Rafael De Jesus would say ok here, I'll read it to ya! Richie Bastar, Johnny Torres, Papo Pepin, Sammy Pagan, Ray Gonzalez, Piro Rodriguez, Mitch Frohman, Tito Allen, Meñique, Rafael De Jesus, Louie Ramirez, Javier Vazquez, Jose Febles.   These guys make this Kako & Ismael Rivera Jr. a must get collector's item.   The skins, the bells, the bass, and piano are the driving mambo and pushing a the dancer to new limits in every track, along with the inherited legacy of Ismael Rivera that is unquestionably present in every phrasing of his soneos.   There is a raw element in this product that makes the true blue, hardcore salsero sweat by just listening.   Every track has fierce moñas and coro changes that are quite rudimentary, and are not making any apologies for it.   This is the sound that will always be appreciated if the music is worth it.   And in this case, it is much more than worth it, it's also appreciated.  

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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