Salsa/Latin Music CD Reviews - Palo Salsero

CD Reviews.

Saul Diaz **** Saul Diaz (Diasol) Favorite Tracks: All		Conjunto Imagen **** Ayer, Hoy, y Mañana (www.conjuntoimagen.com) Favorite Tracks: Almost All
The music industry does not favor salsa recordings. Salsa is, without a doubt, fast approaching irrelevancy. Having said that, I really have to tip my cap to Saul Diaz for having the guts of going against the grain. Eventhough Saul is not exactly the prototype of a ‘pretty boy' (not that, that is a bad thing; the cover is not one of its stronger selling points. I mean, what's the obsession with dudes wanting to be soloists all of the sudden? Putting their unrecognizable mugs on the cover? Why not go the orchestra route?), he is the proud owner of one the best works to ever come out of New Jersey. Truth be told, Jersey is not exactly known for salsa music. Diferente, has a genuine sense of originality and direction, one that I haven't heard in a very long time. Merging his vocal similarity to Carlos Santos, with the elements and styles of a trombone sound that is very similar to some of Raulin Rosendo's best recordings, with the string work done by early Cuban charanga groups, on top of a conjunto platform; Diferente is a true salsa record for salseros. The sound engineering (one of the most overlooked aspects in music. Lets face it, sound engineering can make or break a record), fattens the already fat sound, which highlights the work of Pablo Santaella who is probably playing three trombone parts, Luisito Quintero on all percussion, and that of the lone violinist Dave Remelis. Rene Leyva, who is perhaps one the most underrated arrangers and producer in the business, along with very impressive arrangements by Junito Davila & Lucho Cueto; does a superb job in keeping this production on point. I truly believe this is Rene's best work yet. In an era that's currently dominated by all things reggaeton, where the closest thing to hard core salsa are remakes of salsa songs that any salsero under 50 knows, Saul Diaz is truly a breath of fresh air and hope. ###		Lets begin with what troubles me about this CD, which is something that troubles me about the overall continuous decline in salsa music. Can anyone write an original song? I am shocked by the amount of doctors who wrote songs for Conjunto Imagen's latest record. Granted Pacheco & Harlow, among many others; got away with it. But to their credit, they did justice to those songs. The Fania legends, and the countless others who flat out recorded "copies" of Cuban songs, added something to them. Something that no one else has been able to duplicate since. Something bigger than a piano solo - a horrific piano solo to boot! (Chino, I love your work as a percussionist... and you're a surprisingly good arranger/producer. But please, let real pianists do their job). Is there anything good about this CD? The answer is obviously yes, otherwise why would I review it? I love it! For starters the baritone really shines in this conjunto setting and, for all my complaining about song selection, it really takes this productions to a whole other level - One that strikes a strong chord with salseros and dancers alike. Their two main vocalist, Jesus Serrano & Eddie Rosado, show their true grit. For they really perform magic and help you ignore, if not forget, that you're really listening to old... Really old covers. With the exception of track 8 (guys the song goes ‘Escucha usted la esencia DEL guaguanco' not de guaguanco'), These guys deserve a gold medal. In true conjunto fashion, Conjunto Imagen is a straight up dance record. It reminds me so much of Grupo Fascinacion. One that has the added bonus of great musicianship in each of 16 tracks. Yes you read right 16 tracks, for a grand total just under 78 minutes of music. I just love that baritone. There are some interesting guest musicians. Guys like Pablo "chino" Nuñez, Willie Amadeo, Willie Villegas, and Dave Valentin. Interesting because... well... simply put, some didn't exactly live up to their glory. All in all, this could easily be one of Conjunto Imagen's best records. ###

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