CD Reviews.

Cheo Feliciano

Una Voz...Mil Recuerdos

(c) 1999 RMM Records

Distributed by: Universal

RATING: ***

"Let's do a _______ tribute".   Many have done this "tribute" thing with terrible results.   As far as I'm concerned no one, with the exceptions of Gilberto Santa Rosa (Tribute to Tito Rodriguez), arguably Celia Cruz (Tribute to Ismael Rivera), and RMM (Tropical Tribute to The Beatles), has done a just job on the figures they choose to pay homage.   Most of the times I ignore tribute songs and tribute records.   Containing 13 tracks from which 5 are nice salsa tracks, "Una Voz...Mil Recuerdos", cannot be ignored.   The reason is simple: Cheo Feliciano.   With his incomparable singing style, Cheo Feliciano pays homage to some of the biggest and most popular names in tropical Latin Music, without the blasphemy of imitation.   Cheo Felicano sings songs made popular by Tito Rodriguez, Daniel Santos, Ismael Rivera, Beny More, Hector Lavoe and many others celebrities, the only way he knows how.   By being the best sonero/bolerista of alive today.   Under the musical guidance of Louis Garcia you'll enjoy the arrangements of Leni Prieto, Ramon Sanchez, and Mandy Vizoso.   Eventhough I found the order of the songs a bit dull, and to some degree the personalities and the songs picked for this tribute production somewhat questionable; Cheo Feliciano's "Una Voz...Mil Recuerdos" easily earn a slot in your "baúl de los recuerdos"  

Los Hermanos Moreno

Una Miradita

(c) 1999 NPE

Distributed by: NPE

RATING: ***

The music industry is a funny business.   The Latin music business is even funnier!   Point in case, Los Hermanos Moreno.   They've done everything that some of the most successful bands ever did.   They started small, with a small rough sound, on a small label and grew to unbelievable fame and recognition.   Los Hnos. Moreno had a strong radio presence during the early 90's.   Remember their 1990 hit "Sopa De Pichón"?   How about their 1991 anthem "dale jamón a la nena, que es comelona, es comelona!"?   No?! Ok you must've heard their 1992 "Quimbombó" and seen them perform in The Madison Square Garden?   1994's "Casa En El Aire"?   You see what I mean?   How can a band have hit songs time after time.   Play in all the venues for live entertainment next to some of the biggest names in the business and yet, people say "who are they again?".   At any rate, "Una Miradita", their latest release in to the market should change things for these guys.   "Una Miradita" is a very dancer friendly production with music that flows.   The fact that Luisito Quintero does timbales and congas in this record, kind of lets you know.   Coro designer Néstor Sanchez, along with Aris Martinez and José Reyes do a nice job in creating memorable hooks and easy lead ins for Junior Travieso, Peter Pagan, and Nelson Moreno as singers.   Nelson also doubles up as the trombonist and musical director of this production.   Containing 8 tracks, "Una Miradita" could be a nice introduction to the music of Los Hermanos Moreno if you do not know their work.   If you do, then this could be a nice little addition to you collection.  

Grupo Imagen

Entrando Al Milenio

(c) 1999 Platano Records

Distributed by: Antilla Distributors

RATING: ***

I love the conjunto style.   To me there is no tastier sound.   So you could understand why I would be a little disappointed to hear that Conjunto Imagen added a timbalero and a baritone to their payroll.   As a result, they now call themselves Grupo Imagen.   What I loved the most about Conjunto Imagen was the fact that their conjunto sound was a not so high on the treble.   It was the smooth combination of a fat sounding upright bass, guiro, maracas, and tres, with three smooth sounding trumpets.   Imagine the trumpet sound of La Sonora Ponceña united with yesterday's Conjunto Clasico, Johnny Pacheco, or Cuco Valoy's tumbao.   Thank God that my disappointment was short lived.   Grupo Imagen has managed to preserve the tastiness of their conjunto style days, thanks to the fact that their music is still very dancer oriented.   You can feel what I'm trying to describe on their fifth track titled "Soy Yo".   Written by Aquilino Zuñiga and arranged by Ramon Sanchez, "Soy Yo" is a straight up callejero dance-a-hole-into-the-soles-of- your-shoes song.   It's timing is simple, straight, and precise.   The clave is so pronounced that even fans of country music will feel this beat.   Lets not forget the awesome job the vocalist did here.   Without any exaggeration, after all the big names in the business are mentioned, he (whatever his name is) did the best job on the mike I've heard in a while.   Eventhough there are some things about this new release of Grupo Imagen that do not sit well with me (mainly but not limited to a canny sound and that annoying snare-back-beat), Grupo Imagen is certainly entering the new millennium bolder and bigger than ever.  

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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