CD Reviews.
Miosotis
Ardiente
(c) 2000 MAS
Distributed by: Rincon Musical
RATING: ***
Here's the deal. Miosotis. I remember this young lady from the New York Band days. I also remember her first solo CD titled "Hazme Soñar", which incidently became a song that Orquesta De La Luz recorded in 1992. Miosotis is just not a vocalist, she's a good songwriter too. I am fully aware of this talented young lady! Unfortunately as a result, I'm also aware of all the terrible records she did. Ok, truth be told that they were probably not bad records. They were just records that as a salsero, I didn't give a rats ass about. Why? They were just not focused. All of her records contained one track of everything. One freestyle, one cumbia, one ballad, one bachata, one merengue, one dance track, one of everything! Including one salsa. Guess which track was always promoted in New York? You guessed it. The one salsa track. As a result, the people that bought her CDs thinking that it was all salsa, got burned. Classic incidences of bate-and-switch. Thank God this time around those hideous marketing techniques were put to rest. At last Miosotis has a product that's aimed directly at the salsero. Ardiente has 8 tracks produced by Lucho Cueto and arranged by Cuto Soto, Humberto Ramirez, and Ramón Sánchez. Miosotis has on her hands a production that swings and that's worthy of serious consideration. Her voice is clear enough to be a singer and strong enough to be a salsera. Her ability and potential are definite eye brow raisers. Not that it's the best thing since sliced bread, but you can certainly feel her loose and comfortable. More on some tracks than others. Which goes to show how tonality and repertoire play a very important part in the creation, development, and polishing of image and talent. I am sure that Ardiente could've been worked a bit more on the sound engineering front, and a bit lighter on the snare drum. But for a bonafide first salsa record, Miosotis gets the job done.
Los Jovenes Del Barrio
Es Diferente!
(c) 2000 Shanachie
Distributed by: Shanachie
RATING: ****
For the past five years and four productions, Los Jovenes Del Barrio have been carving a huge name for themselves, out of the most impenetrable music scene in the world - New York City. In performing this task, the level of difficulty is increased by at least 99%, if you take in consideration the fact that this group does not play your average run of the mill salsa music. Lead by Johnny Almendra and the soulful vocalist Jillian, Los Jovenes Del Barrio perform their signature hybrid sound that is influenced by salsa, rhythm & blues, and timba, on a charanga platform. Many have called this mixture different, and we all know that different is not necessarily good. However, I'm glad and not surprised that this latest CD from Los Jovenes Del Barrio, titled "Es Diferente", is as expected - really good! Former Isidro Infante vocalists, Marco Bermudez & Maggie Ramos, join Los Jovenes Del Barrio in this production. They make this nice sounding, modern charanga group; sound even nicer. As always, flutist Karen Joseph, does an exceptional job. And if you really think about it, for the amount of solos she's taken throughout her career with Los Jovenes Del Barrio, it's really amazing to hear how fresh each one of her solos sounds. She's done an awesome job. In fact, to be a flute player in tropical music takes an incredible amount of creativity. My hat's off to all flutist! Back to Los Jovenes Del Barrio. In line with the incredible past recordings, this group of musicians has under their belt a smooth and dancer friendly recording. And that's the difference.
Dominic
Mi Gran Sueño
(c) 2000 Prestige
Distributed by: Sony Discos
RATING: ****
For the three years that Dominic has been on the scene, I've only heard one song of his, "Soy Tuyo". And yes I've heard of Dominic. "I'm working on Dominic's new one"..."Dominic's rehearsing at Boys Harbor"..."I sent two songs to Dominic". I heard the buzz on the street from musicians. But for the life of me, I've never been even remotely curious about him or his music. The way I see it, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Puerto Rican Power, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Ruben Blades, Bobby Valentin, etc, etc, etc, are top priority. There are just too many other choices out there for me. At this point in my career - In my life! Whether or not they have a good record, guys like Charlie Cruz, Michael Stuart, Giro, Son by Four, Frankie Negron and many others; are just not a priority to purchase. "Why?" If you haven't figured that out, then you'll never know. Like I was saying before, I've never been interested in Dominic's music. So you can just imagine how weird it was for me to have his CD offered to me. Like any good collector of music, I gladly and shamelessly accepted! And as I listened, here's what I thought to myself: "Wow, not bad! The guy has a strong voice! He doesn't sound like a cat in heat!" Although he is fairly young, he doesn't sound like a kid, but like a man - Kind of like Miles Peña. The soneos sound great coming off his voice! He's loose and very agile with the clave. But this CD goes beyond the strong voice. Credited with the production is Ricky Gonzalez, and eventhough he occasionally throws me in for a loop with the snare drum back beat thing, he manages to keep it fairly simple for the clave & afinque hungry dancer. He even throws in some seriously contagious hooks! Angel Fernandez & Ramon Sanchez are credited with some arrangements too. Bobby Allende, Raul Agraz, Chris Washburne, Ozzie Melendez, Nelson Gonzalez, and others are featured in this record. Complete with french horns, oboes, flutes, and strings; Dominic's Mi Gran Sueño also contains two ballads. Sure, the mini orchestra utilized here could've sounded a bit fuller. But considering their budget and the 70s feel they were going for, I'm glad they didn't do the corny Casio ballad thing to overkill. By reading the credits, it's obvious that Dominic knows what he's doing. Mi Gran Sueño is a clear indication of great things to come, and for Dominic this is indeed just the beginning.
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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