Nestor's Best of 2001
Whether we want to admit it or not, the events that took place on September 11th 2001 and thereafter, have singlehandedly affected the way we carry on our daily routines. Our moods have also been altered. We don't go out as often. We don't spend as frivolously as before. We watch our money a little bit closer. In fact economic historians and experts say that, not since the great depression has the entertainment industry suffered an economic downturn that closely parallels the economic woes we are facing worldwide. But wait a minute! These trends were already noticeable prior to that infamous date. Don't forget that the dot-com bubble burst, warehouses were piled up with lots of inventory, and quantity of sellers was far greater than that of buyers. All aided in setting the stage for an economic slow down. We cannot blame our economic difficulties entirely on our tragic events. Similarly the recording industry should not blame CD burners, replicators, and the bootleggers for their tail spin. For decades recording artists would get away with putting out horrible recordings with the worker's attitude of "Hey if it doesn't sell, it just doesn't sell." Or the "public didn't approve." excuse, along with the "RMM is ruining my music." Artists and promoters blame radio and the labels. Radio blame the artists for not doing commercial music. And the labels, who in reality have no one to blame, blamed CD burners, replicators, the bootleggers, and The United Musicians Front. Whatever happened to them anyway? The fact is that with every artists sounding the same, interest by the public became almost none existent. Blaming the fore mentioned elements, the recording industry once again ignores the trends and it's own wrong doing. Of course there are those things that no one wants to or can claim responsibility for: Tito Nieves' Otra Onda & Celia Cruz's La Negra Tiene Tumbao. What was up with that?!
Here are 2K1's Best of Ness.
10) Eddie Santiago, Ahora (Sony Discos) ****
I have not cared for a single Eddie Santiago Record since 1990. He did some work for Capitol/EMI and later returned to the label that gave birth to his career - Rodven. I didn't care for anyone of those productions. Prior to this CD, Sony released an anniversary record that anointed Eddie as an undisputable salsa entity. I hated that record. Contrary to those prior CDs, Ahora, his 2001 release, is hardly out of my CD player. The songs evoke the essence of a poetic Eddie Santiago that has finally grown out of the erotica genre. Eddie Santiago has figured out a way to pull every emotional fiber out of each song, if not with his singing, it's definitely with the sound. The decorative arranging is subtle. But with four trombones, a synth Baritone, a driving percussion, and a fat bass sound, it becomes extremely hard to not get caught up in this CD. Welcome back Eddie.
9) Ray Gayo & Sammy Salinas, Salsa Pa' Todo El Mundo (Fonovisa/AD Records) ****
I am mystified by this record. This record is way too good to come out of Miami Florida, and the music is way too aggressive to come out of the pen of Puerto Rican arrangers. Not that music or arrangements out of these places are bad things, it's just that this record sounds like something out of Cali Colombia! Ray Gayo and Sammy Salinas effectively do the tight sound, the loose and inventive salsa sound, and the laid back son sound, to match every possible mood. They even throw in a Puerto Rican bomba! Ray Gayo's and Sammy Salinas', Salsa Pa' Todo El Mundo, is one of the best collaborations between salsa music's Super Powers - Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Colombia.
8) Choco Orta, La Reina Del Sabor (MP) ****
I've known of Choco since 1987 when she formed part of Gunda Merced's Salsa Fever. Not long ago she did her first solo project for MP records. It was less than stellar. It was right down horrible. Taking matters into her own hands, Choco started doing public appearances where ever there was a stage. She launched a grass roots effort to get something going. What a difference a year makes! This Choco Orta CD is MP's best record since last year's Pedro Jesus. Choco Orta the singer is in line with some of the best female vocalist of any genre, there's enough passion, strength, and sultriness in the delivery of her songs that as a man you can't avoid getting wrapped up with her... Music. MP did a great job in giving her a strong salsa record that matches her aggressive style. Choco Orta is the female answer to Gilberto Santa Rosa. As a matter of fact, "La Reina Del Sabor" is a title that's way too small for her and her abilities.
7) El Gran Combo, Nuevo Milenio - Mismo Sabor (Combo Records) ****
El Gran Combo has launched into the market their most aggressive record of the last 10 years. The misleading title Nuevo Milenio - El Mismo Sabor does not do enough justice to what the legendary Puerto Rican group has accomplished here. Taking full advantage of their two trumpets, two saxophones, and one trombone instrumentation, the arrangements are modern and inventive. The first and last tracks, featuring Jerry Rivas and Charlie Aponte respectively, are immediate jolts of energy. Something past recordings of El Gran Combo lacked, are definitely abundant here. That being the song writing. Highlighting the work of Hector Parrilla, Ramon Rodriguez, Julio Castro, Gerardo Flores, Antonio Quintero, Diego Javier Gonzalez, and Rafi Monclova, by the skilled arranging of Rafael Ithier, Ernesto Sanchez, Tommy Villarini, and Ceferino Caban (of Son By Four fame), the songs have once again become meaningful and filled with swing! "Aqui No Se Sienta Nadie" 2001.
6) Victor Manuelle, Instinto Y Deseo (Sony Discos) ****
I almost didn't put this CD on my best of list because, eventhough I was praising this CD as soon as it came out to all my friends as the best thing since sliced bread, I almost fell victim to horrible radio programmers who almost convinced me that this CD sucked. I just didn't like the songs Sony choose to break the CD in. There are much better songs in there to promote. My personal favorites are tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8. This CD has given a Victor a new of direction. A direction that aims directly at the nucleus of a true salsa fan. The kind of salsa fan that knows that not every salsa song has to begin with a cowbell-ringing mambo. The kind of salsa fan that sincerely appreciates the musicality of a particular song, especially when the sonero gets on top of the coro and the band the way we've learned to love this music. While this CD is not a free for all like his previous recordings used to be, it is definitely an excellent merge of all those recordings with those done by Jose M. Lugo who represents the missing link between the NYC and P.R. sound, the old school sound and the progressive new hip sound.
5) Jose Alberto "El Canario", Diferente (Viva Discos/Universal) ****
Eventhough Jose Alberto "El Canario" is not the warmest of salseros, I will still say that this is his hottest record since "Mis Amores". The buzz on the street was that this record was going to showcase a lot of Canario's musical influences, mentors and friends, therefore adding a real thick and saucy element to his brand of music and sound. Featuring very danceable arrangements by Ricky Gonzalez, Nelson Hernandez, Papo Lucca, Ramon Orlando (merengue's Mozart), and vintage Isidro Infante (who was obviously having a great day); along with guest appearances by Nelson Gonzalez, Cuco Valoy, Jimmy Bosch, Julio Carvajal, Eddy Zervigon, and Alfredo De La Fé, made Jose Alberto "El Canario" truly diferente.
4) Cuarteto Chanchullo, Zamzumbia (Alvarez Music) ****
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, Cuarteto Chanchullo 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!
3) Puerto Rican Power, Wild Wild Salsa (J&N) ****
Not wasting any time Puerto Rican Power is positioning itself as the best band/orchestra to have come out of Puerto Rico in recent times. Their previous production titled Men In Salsa was, and still is, their best recording ever. But if there's to be a close second, this one would be it. The content of this Puerto Rican Power record is fast paced, very percussive, extremely dance oriented, thick sounding, and at times lyrically soothing. The coro's are dynamic, they add the salsa street edge that has become the signature of this energetic bunch of musicians. It's worth mentioning that Victor Manuelle does an awesome job as a corista. Tommy Villarini, Bobby Valentin, Louis Garcia, Johnny Torres, Leni Prieto, Ernesto Sanchez, Cuto Soto (when was he dusted off?), and Jose M. Lugo in the arrangement department are focused and do not lose the sense of direction that makes this Puerto Rican Power recording so wild!
2) Gilberto Santa Rosa, Intenso (Sony Discos) **** ½
Gilberto Santa Rosa is dangerously close to getting old. Or as some in would say, Jumping The Shark. With that off my chest, allow me now to tell you why this is yet another gem from the Santa Rosa camp. Much like his previous records, Gilberto is as unpredictable as the wind. Constantly adding new elements and sounds to his brand of salsa music, Gilberto this time around effectively tinkers around with the exotic Spanish guitar, the silky vocal styles of R&B, the youthfully energetic rock en español, the rambunctious Cuban timba, as well as its classic son, without deviating much from the formula that, for the last 15 years, has made him so widely popular. Intenso, on top of being an explosive barrage of danceable music, is a mild and covert tribute to the classic melodies and sounds that helped define what is known today as salsa gorda. If you listen closely you'll hear very pronounced reminders of El Gran Combo and The Fania Era. Featuring arrangements by Louis Garcia, Ernesto Sanchez, Leni Prieto, Tommy Villariny, Luis Perico Ortiz, and Bobby Valentin; with Salvador Cuevas on bass, under the detailed supervision of Jose M. Lugo, This CD is as intense as Gilberto Santa Rosa can be.
1) Marc Anthony, Libre (Sony Discos) *****
Producer: Juan R. Gonzalez. As a listener, I like some of his work, not as a dancer though. I find his arranging and producing style way too cluttered. His music feels like he utilizes all of his techniques at once. It confuses me like a rat in a maze. Now check this out! Marc Anthony: I've never been fully sold on the idea of Marc Anthony - The Salsa Singer, much less the sonero. Prior to this CD, my artistic impression of Marc was one of an incredibly talented guy who knows how to sing a song thanks to a producer with an uncanny ear. The combination made Marc's salsa music great. In other words, I've felt that the guy is a talented product of studio work. I know what you're thinking, "geezz Ness! What exactly do you like about this CD?" Here I'll tell you.
This is the best record I've hear from producer Juan R. Gonzalez, and it's the best salsa CD Marc has done to date! Juan Gonzalez has produced in "Libre" the rawest record without losing sight of the finer details a genuine quality record possesses. "Libre" is trombone heavy, trumpet heavy. It's just very brass heavy! You get the feeling that many of the brass lines were created as they went along. Light on the snare and the fender bass, the rhythm section is just superb. Juan R. Gonzalez, much like Jose M. Lugo, also pays tribute to the classic melodies and sounds that are almost exclusive to salsa gorda. In this instance his choice was clearly Eddie Palmeiri. Lyrically, the entire production is a beautiful piece of work. The songs just say a lot. Add Marc Anthony's God given ability to take a song to a higher plane, and "Libre" immediately becomes a production that deserves and demands our attention. Marc Anthony, whether he writes his own soneos or not, has convinced me that he can deliver a soneo with the same conviction, as a seasoned veteran. You really get caught up in this CD. I know that this CD marks Marc Anthony's temporary return to salsa, but at least he's free to do it. Thank goodness he's doing it well.
Honorable Mentions to:
Miles Peña
Happy New Year!
Nestor A. Louis
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.