CD Reviews.
Ismael Quintana
Love, Life, and Feelings
(c) 1977 Vaya Records
Distributed by: Fania Records
RATING: *****
FAVORITE TRACKS: 1, 3, 4, 8
When the average salsa fan refers to Ismael Quintana as one of their favorite salsa vocalist, they usually think of his work with Eddie Palmieri. That's because they either never went beyond Palmieri, or just don't know about Ismael Quintana's 4 solo recordings post Palmieri. Ismael Quintana's recordings were, similarly to the rest of soloist under the Fania roster, made up of some of the meanest arrangers and musicians! Cabrerita, Louie Cruz, Jorge Millet, Papo Lucca, and Luis "Perico" Ortiz were the arrangers, and Orestes Vilato, Johnny Rodriguez, Nicky Marrero, Barry Rogers, and Andy Gonzalez were some of the musical legends that recorded in this musical jewel. Songs by Marc Anthony, Jerry Rivera, and a few others, have us conditioned to believe that the lame imitations of guajira-son montuno lite we hear are good. What's worst is that these types of marshmallowy guajira-son montunos lite have been labeled by folks that don't know any better, but should, as bachatas. In A Guava No & Son Pariente, Ismael Quintana delivers, as it is the case on all of his solo recordings, the realness of a New York based son montuno. If you think that what's labeled today as salsa is the real thing, I challenge you to pick up this 1977 CD. On second though, you better not. I don't want to be responsible for crushing your one dimensional salsa teen idols.
Cuarteto Chanchullo
Zambumbia
(c) 2001 Alvarez Music
Distributed by: Alvarez Music
RATING: ****1/2
FAVORITE TRACKS: 3, 8, 10, 11
I was hanging out at Nell's visiting my buddy - The Queen of All DJ's! Recognized throughout the salsa circle world wide as one of the best dj's around, due to her instinctive ability to keep the dancer dancing and the listener listening, DJ Elvira played a track from this CD. I immediately looked at her in the booth and saw her smiling, as if she was saying - I got you...AGAIN. I quickly worked my way through the twirling dance crowd, and just before I could get the words out, she pulled out the CD cover for me. Answering my question, before I could ask. Cuarteto Chanchullo's debut CD titled "Zambumbia" is one of the best CD I've heard so far this year. The son montuno, the cha-cha-cha, the guajira, the danzon, the mambo, and a bunch of other tasty styles are covered in this 13 track production out of Germany. La Gente Se Quema, my absolute favorite track, it's a fast paced song that features catchiest saxophone-flute riff ever done in this genre. With contributions by Tony Martinez & Ramon Valle, Cuarteto Chanchullo, made up of Omar Rodriguez Calvo, Silvano Mustelier, Ricardo Alvarez, and Leandro Saint-Hill, has a unique live sound that, thanks to few over-dubs, delivers the purest sound possible and sets the right mood for every occasion and every moment in time. This is a must get!
Conjunto Candela
Conjunto Candela Vol. 1
(c) 1975 Combo Records
Distributed by: Combo Records
RATING: *****This is the rawest sounding conjunto you'll ever hear! The style is very Cuban by definition but very Puerto Rican/New Yorker in its delivery. None of the tracks are fast paced, but they do have a way of creating the illusion of a fast pick up. Perhaps this illusion it's created by having a very pronounced bell out in front, with maracas and a tres guitar not too far behind? Maybe the two trumpets creating melodies and harmonies on the fly, give off a false sense of...I don't know? Complexity? Maybe is Victor Venegas on bass spicing things up, and adding an extra dimension to an already dance driven production. Probably featuring a very young Nestor Sanchez (pre-Harlow) and Carlos Santos (pre-Roena) on vocals, riding each coro like a sailboat rides the ocean waves. I really can't put my finger on why I like this re-issue! I mean why do I (and most salsa fans) like "Amor Pa'Que?". If you have to ask, then you'll never know.
RATING SYSTEM:
***** EXCELLENT (Must Have!)
**** GREAT (Very Impressive!)
*** GOOD (Safe Investment)
** AVERAGE (Not a Priority)
* POOR (Don't Waste Your Money)
LIKABLE PERCENTAGE (only applicable to classics):
IS DERIVED BY DIVIDING THE AMOUNT OF TRACKS "I LIKE", BY THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRACKS CONTAINED IN THE PRODUCTION.
©Nestor A. Louis ALL REVIEWS ARE SOLELY THE OPINIONS OF THE AUTHOR.