Favorite Salsa albums

[Gerardo A]

No, Ignacio Pineiro was recording sones in the twenties.

http://www.answers.com/topic/septeto...=entertainment

Yeah, you're right Pete, Piñeiro was first (I just learned that Arsenio started composing/performing live in the early 30's). But I still hold true the second part of my statement.

Rec'd your PM Gerardo, this is gonna be fun!

I have a Juan Luis Guerra story to share. The year the "Ojala Que Llueve Cafe' album came out I was in Puerto Rico to celebrate New Years (I would guess we're talkin' close to 20 yrs ago!!). My lady friend from the island had bought tickets to see JLG but at the time I had never heard of him so she throws 'Ojala...' on this tiny boom box while we're getting dressed. I said to her; "nice..." but inside I'm thinkin'; "oh no, not another Merengue band!". Anyhow we go to the San Juan Hilton where the show is supposed to take place outside and at 11:00 PM it starts to POUR! So we dive into the hotel disco where we brought in the New Year. Around 2-2:30 we see a throng of people outside so we go to check it out and JLG decided the show must go on! Obviously, it had stopped raining but to say the conditions were muddy would be an understatement, I'm talkin' Woodstock muddy and us dressed to the nines! IT DIDN'T MATTER!! Once this band started it became this euphoric dancefest and the fuckin' band was smokin'!! God, were they good. As you may know on the title tune; 'Ojala...', there's a children's vocal chorus that's positively enchanting to hear on record, well, they brought out the kids (at 2-3 in the morning!) and it was pure magic. The band played their entire book, imagine, band and audience, sweaty, muddy, & exhilirated!! Juan comes to the mike and sez, 'We've played everything we can, is there anything you'd like to hear AGAIN!? Of course, everyone yells out 'Ojala...', so he does it again, kids and all! (it had to be after 4 in the morning at this point). There are so many other points I remember about this party but I won't bore you any further. Obviously, it was one of the most unforgettable New Years parties I've ever attended!! This story captures the essence of the Latin Music experience. Good for the ears, good for the mind, good for the body, and good for the soul!! VAYA!!

And Chazro, man, what a cool freakin' story! I'm very envious. Tell any other story you have about Latin music.

On a side note, there's a very cool Mexican rock/alternative band called Café Tacuba that plays a great version of "Ojalá que Llueva Café", in Veracruz' son style with some Colombian vallenato thrown in. That could the first thing I'd offer to trade you.

(EDIT) Here's a video of the mentioned Café Tacuba version of JLG's "Ojalá que Llueva Café".

[Sergio Zamora]

On a side note, there's a very cool Mexican rock/alternative band called Café Tacuba

Gera, I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but Cafe Tacuba are actually relatively well-known by the American hipsterati. Especially 'Reves/Yo Soy'

[Gerardo A]

Ha. I thought only Phil Freeman liked them.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Can anybody provide an English translation of Ruben Blades' "Tiburon"? (I've searched in vain.)

[Gerardo A]

I can do it, man; can you post here those lyrics you want translated?

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Thanks, Gerardo! It's on the Colon/ Blades album I picked up last night.

" In 1980 he wrote "Tiburon," a song that condemned superpowers for interfering with the political affairs of smaller countries. Many people were outraged, interpreting the song as a direct criticism of U.S. involvement in the problems of Panama. The song was banned on Miami's Latin-music radio stations and Blades had to wear a bulletproof vest while performing there."



Ruge la mar embravecida
Rompe la ola desde el horizonte
Brilla el verde azul del gran caribe
Con la majestad que el sol inspira
El peje guerrero va pasando
Recorriendo el reino que domina
Pobre del que caiga prisionero
Hoy no habr perdn para su vida

Es el tiburn que va buscando
Es el tiburn que nunca duerme
Es el tiburn que va asechando
Es el tiburn de mala suerte

Y se traga el sol el horizonte
Y el nervioso mar se va calmando
se oyen los arrullos de sirena
Embobando al cielo con su canto

Brillan las estrellas en la noche
La nube viajera va flotando
La luna reposa entre el silencio
De ese gran caribe descansando

Solo el tiburn sigue despierto
Solo el tiburn sigue buscando
Solo el tiburn sigue intranquilo
Solo el tiburn sigue asechando

Tiburn que buscas en la orilla tiburn
Que buscas en la arena
Tiburn que buscas en la orilla tiburn
Lo tuyo es mar afuera
Tiburn que buscas en la orilla Tiburn
Eh Tiburn el canto de sirena
Tiburn que buscas en la orilla Tiburn
Serpiente marinera
Tiburn que buscas en la orilla Tiburn
Hay tu nunca te llenas
Tiburn que buscas en la orilla Tiburn
Cuidao con la ballena
Tiburn que buscas en la orilla Tiburn
Respeta mi bandera

Palo pa que aprenda que aqu si hay honor
Pa que vea que en el caribe no se duerme el camarn
Si lo ven que viene palo al tiburn
Vamo a darle duro sin vacilacin
Si lo ven que viene palo al Tiburn
En la unin esta la fuerza y nuestra salvacin
Si lo ven que viene palo al Tiburn
Que bonita bandera que bonita bandera
Si lo ven que viene palo al Tiburn
Si lo tuyo es mar afuera que buscas aqu so ladrn
Si lo ven que viene palo al Tiburn
Hay que dar la ca

[Gerardo A]

A very quick, rough translation, apologizing in advance to Rubén Blades for losing all of his rhymes/rhythm. "Chica Plástica", from "Siembra", is also quite political (in the end of the tune, Rubén channels Simón Bolívar, the liberator of several South American countries, and demands that the Latin American countries become integrated in order to survive).

Hey Steve, have you listened to Cuban trova master Silvio Rodríguez' "Ojalá"? For many years it was also rumoured that the lyrics were an attack against US imperialism. Finally he made it clear recently that it's basically a love song of yearning for an old girlfriend. But that's a great tune you should hear if you haven't. Silvio also has many other political ones, like "Playa Girón", about the Bay of Pigs' frustrated US invasion.

Anyway, here's "Tiburón":


"Shark"

The wild ocean roars
The wave romps from the horizon
The green-blue of the great Caribbean shines
With the same majesty as the sun
The warrior fish (1) walks by
Travelling around the kingdom he dominates
I pity whoever is taken as a prisoner
His life will not be spared today

It's the shark who's looking for
It's the shark who never sleeps
It's the shark who keeps hunting
It's the shark who brings bad luck

And the sun swallows the horizon
And the nervous ocean becomes tranquil
And the mermaids haunt the sky
With their lullabies

The stars shine in the night
The sailing moon floats by
The moon sleeps when the great Caribbean
Rests and becomes silent

But only the shark remains awaken
Only the shark keeps looking
Only the shark remains troubled
Only the shark keeps hunting

Shark, what are you looking for in the shore?
What are you looking for in the sand?
Shark, what are you looking for in the shore?
You should be in the high sea
Shark, what are you looking for in the shore?
Hey shark, the mermaid's song
Shark, what are you looking for in the shore?
Sea serpent
Shark, what are you looking for in the shore?
You are never satisfied
Shark, what are you looking for in the shore?
Beware of the whale
Shark, what are you looking for in the shore?
Respect the flag I'm carrying

Fight the shark (2), so he can learn that there's honor in this land
So he can see that in the Caribbean the shrimp doesn't sleep (3)
If you see the shark coming, fight him
Let's hit him hard without hesitation
If you see the shark coming, fight him
Our union will be our strenght and our only salvation
If you see the shark coming, fight him
What a lovely flag, what a lovely flag
If you see the shark coming, fight him
You belong in the high sea, what are you doing here, thief?
If you see the shark coming, fight him
Let's face him


(1) The original said "peje", which is not really a fish, but a molusk I think, a very delicious one. But it's clear in the lyrics that it's a derogative way of referring to the "shark".
(2) The original only said "palo", which literally means "wooden stick", but most likely it referred to the action of hitting/attacking the shark.
(3) The play on words that Rubén used is lost here, since he made a reference to a traditional saying that goes: "Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente", which means something like: "if a shrimp falls asleep the oceans' current will engulf him". I'm sure there's an equivalent saying in English that I'm forgetting.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Gerardo: Thanks so much for the translation and other information! Much appreciated.

Silvio also has many other political ones, like "Playa Girón", about the Bay of Pigs' frustrated US invasion.

Haven't heard Silvio, but I had an aunt and uncle in Havana at the time.

[Hot Ptah]

Eddie Palmieri -- Palmas, is my favorite latin jazz record. Not really salsa but definitely Latin and jazz.

I second that choice! A truly great album.

[Chazro]

El Cantante (The Singer) - Marc Anthony

This isn't a "favorite" Salsa album, but since the movie's coming out tomorrow I figured I'd throw this in here. I am a big Marc Anthony fan, his 1st two Salsa records ARE favorites. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to sustain his original output and hasn't done much in quite some time so I was really looking forward to his 1st 'pure' Salsa release in yrs with mucho anticipation. IMO, it ain't bad but MA tries too hard to sound like Hector Lavoe (who the movie's based on), he falls just short of pulling it off. On a ballad he can't help but sound like himself, which is great because Marc Anthony has a great, great voice. Overall, I'd give this a good-very good rating but the truth is to hear the definitive versions of these songs one would be better-served if they were to search out a Hector Lavoe greatest hits record.

Now on to the dirt! On the Latin Jazz discussion pages there is all sorts of thunder and lightning going on about this flick. This page is very special due to the fact that it seems like most of the posters are in the business in one form or the other. Apparently the skinny is that the movie focuses on the heroin abuse by Hector and his wife. ALOT of dirt being thrown about 'the wife, J-LO. Before Hector became the hottest Salsa singer on the planet he paid extensive dues in other bands, primarily that of Willie Colon. Well, the producers never bothered to consult with WC or ANY of the other numerous musicians who are still alive! Willie Colon himself came on the website to provide this tidbit. I forget the name of the percussionist, but this guy has played (and still plays) with the best of the best. He was in Lavoe's band and sez he has kept a DIARY that dates bact to the early years of Salsa (THIS is the movie that needs to be made!!). He contacted the producer to tell them this and never got a return call. Bottom line is that quite a few people in the know are BOYCOTTING the movie in protest. Looks like it's gonna be a Latin 'Lady Sings The Blues'. Too bad, Hector Lavoe was at the forefront of the most glorious time for Salsa and apparently the movie fails to address the MUSIC which is kinda sad. Seeing as how there's a Latin movie put out about once every coupla yrs from Hollywood, there has YET to be one made that properly conveys the spirit of the music or the times. Oh well, I ain't boycotting it, beggars can't be choosers!!

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Sounds disappointing, Chazro. The radio review I heard this morning, from a woman who had obviously never heard of Hector, said the movie focused primarily on J-Lo's butt and lip-gloss.

Pity. There's a great movie about a great talent to be made here. Maybe down the road.

[Sand]

Cato Salsa Experience and The Thing with Joe McPhee

[Ron Thorne]

While the reviews I've read for El Cantante each point out weaknesses and cliches, one common thread seems to be that Jeniffer Lopez does more than a credible job in this film. Who would have thunk it?

Rex Reed

[Chazro]

Saw 'El Cantante' this weekend and all I can say is....I liked it!!

I have to say I'm heavily biased for a variety of reasons. Being a NuyoRican who hasn't been home in too long, the movie played at times like a home movie for me. I was fortunate to have been around during the Glory years of Salsa and the movie stirred many warm memories for me. Also, unfortunately here in Atlanta, GA. there is NO Salsa to be listened to (a local station does a 4 hour telecast on Saturday that I can't hear living outside the perimeter). So to have the oppportunity to hear mi Salsa being played at Star Wars volume in the movie theater put a big ol' smile on this freakin' Rican's face! Hell, I even hung out during the end credits just to listen to the tune being played. So yeah, I'm a little biased.

That said, what about the movie? As I originally thought, I don't see this being a big crossover hit here in the states. Even with J-Lo starring, this movie ain't about a Mexican Pop singer wearin' a bra & chaps on stage. I truly understand the bitchin' from the many Salsa musicians and industry playas about how the movie missed the chance to trumpet the era and the music BUT....as J-Lo herself angrily answered her detractors last week, the story's the truth. Whether or not the movie could've focused more on Hector's positive character traits, the fact is he was a womanizing, drug-addict who died of AIDS, contracted from degenerate drug-abuse. Was it an amazing time in the history of Latin music?, absolutely. But it should never be sweetened to make it sound like Camelot. A lotta people think Berry Gordy & Motown a scumbag operation, well, Jerry Masucci & Fania make them look like Shirley Temple & Our Gang! With Marc Anthony actually being part of the music's history and J-Lo's understanding of the truth, would it've been nicer for them to take a higher road? Perhaps, but being in Showbiz as they are they understand that Sex, Drugs, & Rock 'n' Roll is the formula for most music biopics. And like I said, if the true story of Fania were ever to be done, it wouldn't be 'The Wizard Of Oz', it would be more of a 'Hoffa/Goodfellas'-type flick, which I would GLADLY pay money to see BTW!!

Lastly, Jennifer Lopez, believe it or not, is developing major skills as an actress. One of the big complaints for people in the know is that the real "Puchi" was a major cause of hector's downfall and that the movie 'glamorizes' her role in his life. Right or wrong, the woman was with him for 20 years of his life, and J-Lo's work doesn't make one feel too sympathetic for her. While this was primarily J-Lo's project, it's Marc Anthony's flick, his screen presence combined with the fact that he's one of the great Salsa singers makes it a pleasure when he's on screen. Extra added treat for this Soparanos fan was the casting of "Furio" (I forget the actor's name!) as Jerry Masucci!

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

I liked it, too.

Any movie with this much great music can't be a bad movie. It may have faults, and this one does; but there's too much to love about it to dismiss it out of hand, or to trivialize it.

Jennifer Lopez turns in a legitimately fine acting performance -- I'll never again think of her merely as a celeb who is in movies. Her performance in the b&w interview sections (based on a 2002 interview of Lavoe's widow, not long before she died in an accident), are especially compelling.

Nevertheless, the focus on their stormy marriage, the drugs, the party life, the personal failures, etc. made the movie a more or less routine biopic. What makes the movie special is the music, and had the film focused on Fania and whole growth of salsa in the 70s it could have been something great.

Still, anybody who loves this music needs to see this for the music and for the evocation of the period. Very enjoyable.

[Gerardo A]

Couldn't really wait the typical 2-3 weeks of delay for this movie to be on theaters here, so I just went ahead and downloaded it. I'm not reviewing it now because I only watched fragments of it last night which (at least what I saw) looked pretty good; a street-concert was a quick highlight. Marc Anthony does look a lot like Lavoe, at least like a very young early 70's skinny Lavoe. I'll report back when I see the whole thing.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

My friend Romero is the custodian of a school I've worked for the past decade, and hails from El Salvador. Before the big school hoedown/ assembly today I was playing some Colon/ Lavoe, and we got to talking Latin music.

These were his recs for me -- any comments, specific albums?

Grupo Niche

Juan Luis Guerra

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

[Gerardo A]

Juan Luis Guerra

We've talked about him in this thread! I'm a big fan of a couple of his albums, as are Chazro and SOZ. Check out the first page of this thread and the beginning of this second page for Chazro's cool story about seeing JLG live in Puerto Rico. As you know, JLG does not play salsa though, it's merengue.

About Niche, I haven't heard almost anything of them because I think (perhaps wrongly) that they're more commercially oriented. Perhaps Chazro or someone else may know more. El Gran Combo is supposed to be a more classic kind of salsa, but I don't know much about them either (I think I only have a live recording of them somewhere).

On other recent news, David Calzada's La Charanga Habanera played in my town last week. I didn't go because I didn't like at all their live show from a couple of years ago (not enough music and too much Ricky Martin-like dancing and erotic posturing from their five male Cuban singers. The girls, of course, were screaming like maniacs and taking pics with their cell phones). My friend Carolina, who turned me on to salsa a few years ago, went again to see them and she came out more disappointed than the last time, finding their dance moves on stage gross (and she's relatively open minded). But there are some good records of La Charanga (from the 80's) I think.

I still kick myself for having missed Juan Formell & Los Van Van playing here a couple of years ago, although I was lucky enough to be dancing in the front row of Celia Cruz' last concert in Mexico, here in Merida, right before she died.

Oh and if there are any salsa fans out there who haven't yet seen "El Cantante", do yourselves a favor and check it out. It's definitely not a perfect movie (there's too much emphasis on the wife's perspective for my taste, I don't want to see soap operas), but I'd say it's indispensable for Latin music fans if only for the live music scenes. Favorite of mine so far is when Lavoe watches Rubén Blades playing solo an acoustic guitar version of the title-tune.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Thanks! I'll take a look at Guerra posts.

I picked up a Gran Combo album, big band salsa, very polished and enjoyable, not as fiery as Colon/Lavoe but great dance music.

[Gerardo A]

On the Latin Jazz discussion pages there is all sorts of thunder and lightning going on about this flick. This page is very special due to the fact that it seems like most of the posters are in the business in one form or the other. Willie Colon himself came on the website to provide this tidbit.

Can you give a link to that site, Chazro, I'd like to join. I used to post in a Yahoo mailing group for Latin Jazz called Jazz Mestizo but for some reason I quit.

[Pete C]

Oh and if there are any salsa fans out there who haven't yet seen "El Cantante", do yourselves a favor and check it out.

It's coming out on DVD end of this month.

There's a great filmed version of Lavoe doing Mi Gente with the Fania All-Stars during the Ali-Foreman "Rumble in the Jungle" concert. The concert has been released on DVD under both Fania All-Stars and Celia Cruz's name. Besides Celia & Hector, Cheo Feliciano does El Raton.

Allow me also to reiterate my recommendation of Tipica 73.

[Gerardo A]

There's a great filmed version of Lavoe doing Mi Gente with the Fania All-Stars during the Ali-Foreman "Rumble in the Jungle" concert. The concert has been released on DVD under both Fania All-Stars and Celia Cruz's name. Besides Celia & Hector, Cheo Feliciano does El Raton.

Yeah, that Africa concert rocks and the sound is great. There are several clips from it in YouTube, I especially enjoy their take on "Guantanamera" (second link below, first one is "Mi Gente", mentioned by Pete):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcc9QPJ_rzY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSDVExnZP2U

Allow me also to reiterate my recommendation of Tipica 73.

I've forgotten to add here that I've been researching a little on Típica 73, and it seems that their most lauded album (by Latin critics) is "En Cuba: Intercambio Cultural", released on Fania in 1979, which finds the band unsurprisingly heating things up in Havana during a visit there (so it's a very interesting collaboration between Cuban and Nuyorican salsa). I have not heard the whole album yet, unfortunately, but I'm on it.



The only Típica I do have (on a crackle-filled Mexican re-pressed LP bought from my friend Carolina's dad for like $1 dollar) is 1976's "Rumba Caliente" on Inca, pretty tight salsa as Pete says (with great singer Tito Allen guesting).

[Gerardo A]

Also forgot to add, about Lavoe video appearances, a shout-out to "Our Latin Thing", a Fania documentary/concert recording from the 70's, with some scorching early Lavoe in there, and great visual parts of the concert released on album as "Live at Cheetah". It's not very hard to find (Dusty Groove, etc.), I'm sure it's in YouTube too.

[Sergio Zamora]

Oh and if there are any salsa fans out there who haven't yet seen "El Cantante", do yourselves a favor and check it out. It's definitely not a perfect movie (there's too much emphasis on the wife's perspective for my taste, I don't want to see soap operas)

From the reviews, it seemed like a Salsa 'Syd and Nancy'

[Pete C]

Yeah, that South Africa concert rocks

Actually, Congo (Zaire at the time of the show/fight).

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

From the reviews, it seemed like a Salsa 'Syd and Nancy'

As far as the story line, it's a pretty cliched rock-type bio-pic -- drugs, fast living and then the crash. But the music is great, and JLo's performance is quite strong.

[Ron Thorne]

OK, Gerardo, Chazro or whomever, why did Tito Puente so seriously dislike the term "Salsa"?

Was it that he felt that it was an overused, cliché-ridden word? Or, was there some other objection?

[Chazro]

Wazzup All!

Always good to see some activity on the Latin side of the corner!. As far as Grupo Niche and El Gran Combo are concerned, both of these bands are Latin Legends, but for me, their recordings sound too formulaic, IMO if you own one of their records there's no need to get another. But that's just MY opinion. Juan Luis Guerra started out as a pure Merenguero, then started including some Salsa in there but now he's pretty much a Latin Pop artist IMO. His record, 'Bachata Rosa' would be a good pick for anyone interested in his general style.

Yahoo Latin Jazz discussion group - [url]http://launch.group.yahoo.com/group/latinjazz/

I'd also strongly reccomend Chip Boaz's fantastic website/blog (is there a difference?), Latin Jazz Corner at - http://www.chipboaz.com/blog/

As far as the fania All-Stars Live DVD's, there's a bunch out there and while I'm sure the music's right, the production quality on most is not too good. I'm ashamed to say that I've never seen 'Our Latin Thing' even though I own vinyl & CD versions of 'Live At The Cheetah' (the very 1st Fania All-Stars record and still a killa to this day). The ONE DVD that I do own and would recommend is FAS - Live in Cali, Columbia. A 2-disc set recorded after Hector passed but still featuring Celia Cruz & the gang. An amazing concert held at a sold-out sports stadium during a true downpour. You know the music's GOT to be strong when nobody leaves, what can I say?, I have an affinity for concerts held in the rain!

Lastly, I can't speak specifically about Tito Puente's dislike for the term Salsa, but I do know of many Latin musicians that consider the term a bastardization. Many of them holding the purist (correct, but debatable) point of view that Salsa is actually a commercial term for other forms of Latin Dance music. Specifically, I recall reading an interview with Arturo Sandoval where he was REALLY down on the term 'Salsa', basically saying it's primarily a rip-off of the Cuban 'Son'. I strongly disagree, I felt if he's gonna get ticked off about that, I can be ticked off about him summarily dismissing the NY/PR contribution to the genre which truly cannot be denied. This is a much-discussed/debated topic that's worth it's own thread (not here f'chrissake, it'd sink faster than a PR/Cuban stone!!). Basically, all I can say is; can't we all get along!!??

[Gerardo A]

OK, Gerardo, Chazro or whomever, why did Tito Puente so seriously dislike the term "Salsa"?

Was it that he felt that it was an overused, cliché-ridden word? Or, was there some other objection?

Ron, I mainly agree with Chazro's answer to this. Not knowing the specifics of Tito Puente's dislike of the term, in general the attacks to the word "salsa" basically say that: 1) the word was not made by the musicians or by the listeners, but instead it was created and promoted by the record labels in the late 60's, as a marketing tool (I think this is mostly historically correct, though), and 2) the music known as "salsa" is nothing more than a copy of Cuban son (I disagree with that, there are notable differences between the NYC salsa style and Cuban son, which I think help to make salsa an original genre, with a debt to Cuban son in terms of repertory, instrumentation more or less, vocal style, etc.). Some of those criticisms to the word "salsa" come from the Cuban side, of course; but not all.

For Spanish readers (I'm sure there are translated versions), I also recommend this great book, the most comprehensive salsa history I've read, and with great pictures too. I found it last year in a street market in Bogotá (in the same trip where I got the Colombian coffee I gave you, Pete), "El Libro de la Salsa" by Venezuelan (if I remember correctly) César Miguel Rondón:

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Funny, growing up in NYC in the 50s and 60s, Tito Puente was hugely popular at the time, there were many Puerto Ricans in the projects where I lived, and I never remember hearing the term "salsa" applied to the music. It was Latin music, or mambos, cha chas, rhumbas... Maybe Puente saw "salsa" as being a kind of revisionist history.

There's a scene in Calle 54 where an old El Rey is giving a tour of his museum, which is part of his club, I think, and if I recall correctly the first two musicians in his Latin Hall of Fame were Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo.