Musical Notation
by George Rivera
Salsa in the "New Millenium"
September 24, 2000 – The so-called “new millennium” (the new millennium really starts January 1, 2001) has thus far not been too kind to Latin music, specifically to Salsa. We’re nine month’s into the final year of the 20th Century and I would have a really hard time formulating a Top Ten list of CD releases. There’s a serious drought of good music within the industry. These things happen every few years. We saw it when due to economics the big bands of the fifties began to disappear. This opened the way to the boogaloo and pachanga era, which gave way to the Salsa era, which eventually would lead to Salsa sensual, and now the re-emergence of the swing, or as most people refer to it, the Salsa gorda era (with romantic lyrics for the most part, but nevertheless with mucho swing).
One of the good things about these droughts for me is the opportunity to explore different things. For the most part I’m a student of Swing, Be-Bop, and straight-ahead Jazz. Most of my time is spent listening to the music of Armstrong, Ellington, Basie, Dizzy, Bird, Monk, Miles, and Coltrane. However, I am open to any musical form so long as it is good. Over the last week I have been listening to a variety of Latin Pop including the music of Shakira, Thalia, Melina Leon, Laura Pausini, and Giselle. For the most part I’ve found them all to be very appealing vocally, especially Shakira, who has quite an extraordinary voice. Melina Leon is one that I would like to hear singing more ballads. The lady has a great voice, and in the right setting could be very successful at it.
Meanwhile
back to the drought. Elvis Crespo has just finished recording his latest
production. The production is currently in the mixing stages and should be ready
for distribution before Thanksgiving. Victor Manuelle is another artist
currently in production. All the tracks, with the exception of Victor’s vocals
have been laid down. Victor is scheduled to start recording the vocals sometime
this week. This is another recording that will most likely be available before
the end of the year and promises to be a winner. One release we may not see by
year’s end is the latest from Gilberto Santa Rosa, which is still in the
pre-production stages.
Jesus
Alemañy and Cubanismo, currently promoting their latest album, which was
released on August 22nd, titled, MARDI GRAS MAMBO: ¡CUBANISMO!
IN NEW ORLEANS, featuring John Boutté and The Yockamo All-Stars,
continues their Mardi Gras Mambo Tour of the U.S. Their New York
show scheduled for Tuesday, September 26th will be held at SOB’s
located at 204 Varick Street, Manhattan and not in the originally scheduled
venue Irving Plaza. Show times are 9PM and 11PM. This is one you don't want to
miss.RMM and Prestige Entertainment will be presenting the SALSA FROM THE 80'S concert on Saturday, October 28th at 8:00pm, in Madison Square Garden. This concert will celebrate the music of the 80's. SALSA FROM THE 80'S will feature Lalo Rodriguez, Eddie Santiago, Luis Enrique, Joe Arroyo, Andy Montañez, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Cano Estremera, Paquito Guzman, Nino Segarra, David Pabon, and Hector Tricoche under the musical direction of Isidro Infante. The concert will also feature special guest performances by Eddy Herrera, Sandy Reyes, Rubby Perez with Wilfrido Vargas and his Orchestra. As an added attraction Rafael de Jesus and Luis “Perico” Ortiz will be reunited.
Hasta la proxima, ciao…
Previous Column