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HECTOR CONTRERAS & HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE
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LA EXCELENCIA - SALSA CON CONCIENCIA (2006)
Luis
Arona Bass
1. La Lucha more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
Review by Dj Michael That’s it! The real thing! Just as Abel Delgado discussed in his article “Making Salsa Dura Harder” and gave tips on how to improve Salsa Dura so that it won’t sound so boring and monotone. Then suddenly some young, unknown, wild guys from New Jersey and New York appeared and make this absolutely brilliant CD. Although this album was recorded before the article was published, they fulfilled principles pointed out by Delgado. For example: Do not use unnecessary cover versions. It doesn’t make sense (particularly for the singers) to be compared to old classic songs (i.e., Ruben Blades). Often you will lose in comparison. It’s always better to have your own compositions. And if you’re not able to do it, ask a good songwriter. But in this case it was unnecessary because all the songs are original. Fresh Salsa! Another example: Write songs that mean something. Tell stories that deal with real life and music. Authenticity is what’s missing in Salsa. That you will get in first song La Lucha, a real Barrio song. And El Loco, who is in the Barrio on the way to his wife. If you want more of the hard lyrics from La Lucha, then you should listen to the same song at the end of the CD with an additional shot of “Street Credibility”. Normally I find Reggaeton with Salsa unbearable, but in this case Shanny’s verse fits. As a matter of fact, I like the remix version better. Now back to the lyrics. Funny is the story from the nightclub and how it ends in Sentencia. Brilliant is also the addition of the background sounds. Fresh and funny Salsa! And you’ll find a lot of pure music – La Salsa y el Guaguanco, Boogalu Pa’ Colombia, and Hijo de los Rumberos. Naturally there are the usual love songs and for me the most beautiful, Cada Dia. It’s not just the lyrics that are so interesting. It’s how to make a powerful song with a lot of drive and slow tempo. On one hand the arrangement is very simple and on the other hand it just touches you. In this case, the sharp, clear congas and the fat, distorted trombones are responsible for the succinct sound of the band. Not typical. It’s direct, loud, and no nonsense. Honest. It’s reminiscent of a young Willie Colon and also La 33, although the band’s trademark is the hard beating conga which are clever and drive the sound. You will hear it on the first beat of the CD – here is something different. A new generation has come. And Delgado’s advise at the end of his article: Have fun! This is exactly what you hear on this CD! Conclusion: For me, the best Salsa CD of 2006
more reviews on Vinilemania.net
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RAY BARRETTO
ARTURO SANDOVAL
HECTOR LAVOE
WAYNE GORBEA
CARLOS PATATO VALDES
JUAN PABLO TORRES
DAVE PIKE
MARIO BAUZA'
CHICO O'FARRILL
ISRAEL "CACHAO" LOPEZ
MONGO SANTAMARIA
PONCHO SANCHEZ
DIZZY GILLESPIE
FANIA ALL STARS
JOE CUBA
TITO PUENTE
CAL TJADER
FRANCISCO AGUABELLA
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