'El Agua de la Vida'
Salsa Celtica

To be released sometime in June of 2003, this is the second release from Salsa Celtica, a salsa band from Scotland. A few years ago, we were given a rare treat to hear them live at Harbourfront and they took the audience by surprise with their lively performance in kilts and adding the Scottish bagpipes in perfect, infectious harmony. By the end of their concert, we wanted more...

And what can you expect from this new album, a combination of salsa, cumbia, cha cha and their own latin rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" -- not a typical album made for the typical salsa dancer, but more for those who love world music or would like a fun, infectious album with a variety of tunes to dance or listen to their renditions of cumbia, cha cha and salsa with a scottish twist.

Also, a perfect accompaniment of music to listen to while working on the internet (like I was). There wasn't a single track I didn't like, but the cuts that caught my attention -- the title song, El Agua de la Vida, is very infectious as it utilizes bagpipes throughout the song; but Ave Maria de Escocia Medley, starts with a more cuban-style intro and moves more into the typical salsa beats which might be useable for a dance group that's looking for something a little different in feel. El Sol de la Noche is a good, clear-cut cha cha to dance in the clubs or for practice at home. And could they have made the Latin DJ's version of Auld Lang Syne for New Year's Eve this year?

Although there are no sound clips of this new release, you can check out some clips from their first album...

Songs: 1. Cumbia Celtica 4:29 2. El Sol De La Noche 5:55 3. Guajira Sin Sol 4:12 4. El Agua De La Vida 4:55 5. Whisky Con Ron 6:37 6. Ave Maria De Escocia Medley 7:35 7. Maestro 5:59 8. Adios Adios 4:26 9. Auld Lang Syne 4:29

Musicians: Toby 'El Leon' Shippey Trumpet, coro Lino Rocha Lead vocals, coro, perc Steve Kettley Sax and flute Fraser Fifield Sax, pipes, whistles Ryan Quigley Lead trumpet, coro Dougie 'El Pulpo' Hudson Congas David 'El Chimpo' Robertson Bongos, bell, coro Guy Nicholson Timbales David 'Demus' Donnelly Bass, coro Kenny Fraser Violin, tres Chris Stout Violin Ricardo Fernandez Pompa Coro, perc., lead vocals on tracks 5,8,9 Roland Perrin Piano on tracks 2,3,4,5 David Patrick Piano on tracks 6,7,8,9 Phil Alexander Piano on track 1 Javier Chernicoff Timbales and perc. On tracks 4,6 Emeris Solis Congas on track s 1,7,8,9 Tommy Beavitt Coro, chicken Riley Briggs Coro John Somerville Accordion on tracks 1,9

'Martina'
Africando

Africando has just released a new album in June, 2003, utilizing 45 musicians, including some of New Yorks best Latin rhythm players (Papo Pepin, Bobby Allende, Ruben Gonzales, Pablo "El Chino" Nuñez and *many* others).

Although I haven't had a chance to hear this album, it's meant to be a dance record, and if it's anything like their last album, Betece, you can be sure there's going to be some great new tunes to dance to. Apparently the theme of this album is "to sing the praises of their mothers, sisters, wives and girlfriends -- hymning not just their beauty and elegance, but the nurturing, sustaining strength that keeps Africa going."

Songs: 1. Lindas Africanas 7:39 2. Temedi 5:17 3. Lote Lo 5:15 4. Fouta Tooro 5:09 5. Azo Nkplon 5:10 6. Tiembela 3:55 7. Dioumte 5:21 8. Abibou 5:33 9. Reference ny4:39 10. El Que Te Ama Siempre 4:56

Musicians: Medoune Diallo, Gnonnas Pedro, Ronnie Baro, Sekouba Bambino, Eugene Shoubou, Ismael Lo, Adama Seka, Nyboma Mwan Dido, Emeneya Kester, Joe King, Baily Spinto, Hector Casanova, Adalberto Santiago, Luis Daniel - Vocals Roberto Iglesias, Miguel Gomez, Julio Fromt - Coro Ruben Gonzalez, Ray Martinez, Carlos Enriquez - Bass Pablo El Chino Nuñez - Timbales Luis Quintero Timbales - congas, bongos Papo Pepin - Congas Bobby Allende - Bongos, maracas, quiro Pete Gomez - Maracas, guiros Luis Rogriguez - Tres, guitar Andrea Brachfeld - Flute Nelson Rodriguez - Tres Pablo Santaella, Luis Bonilla, Ozzie Melendez - Trombone David 'Piro' Rodriguez, Ite Jerez, Raul Agraz - Trumpet Mario Rivera - Soprano and baritone sax Nelson Hernandez - Baritone sax Eddy Zervignon - Flute Yrvin Yeras, Raimundo Penoforte - Violin Lewis Kahn, David Rimelis - violin Enrique Orengo - Cello Efrain Davila - Piano

'Ritmo Caliente'
Eddie Palmieri

Released in June, 2003... you can be sure you'll be hearing some of these songs in the clubs, such as "La Voz Del Caribe".

Click here to hear some audio clips....

Songs: La Voz Del Caribe 5:21 Grandpa Semi-Tone Blues 6:00 Billie 3:29 Lazaro Y Su Microfono 8:34 Ritmo Caliente II 4:09

Tema Para Renee 8:15 Leapfrog To Harlem 6:26 Gigue (Bach Goes Bata) 8:56 Dime 4:45 Sujetate La Lengua 6:11 Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso II 5:22

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'Yo Soy Ese Hombre'
Kevin Ceballo

Just released in May of 2003, here's a singer who sounds almost like Marc Anthony and even some of the sound tracks remind me of his sound. After listening to some sample soundtracks, it's definitely an album geared towards contemporary, not old-school salsa dancers.

Click here to listen to music clips from the whole album and see what you think...

Songs:

Amame O Dejame Tu Volveras Se Que No Eres Feliz A Punto De Morir No Me Dejes

No Te Vayas Todavia Una Mujer Yo Soy Ese Hombre Eternamente Te Amare Por Que Juegas Conmigo? Izabell

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'Descarga Espectacular'
Fruko y sus Tesos

Released in May, 2003, if you're a fan of Fruko from Colombia, and you love fast and super-fast songs to dance to, then you may want to pick up a copy of this album with 70 minutes of descarga!

Songs Descarga Espectacular El Swing De Fruko Cali De Rumba Charanga Campesina La Burrita Mi Libertad Cachonder Descarga Fruko La Mucura Mosaico Santero: A Santa Barbara; San Lazaro (Babalu); A La Caridad Del Cobre Negro Candela Tronco Seco Ya Llego Oriza Mega Mosaico De Fruko: El Preso; El Caminante; Tania; El Ausente

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'Oro Salsero'
Jose Alberto El Canario

Released in 2003, here's an album with many of his greatest hits. By the way, if you ever get a chance to watch him live in concert, you won't be disappointed.

Hoy Quiero Confesar Sueño Contigo Bailemos Otra Vez Quiere Ser Mi Amante Mis Amores Baila Que Baila Fotos Y Recuerdos Comos Fue Hacerte Feliz Ese Es Mi Amigo

Con Sandra En La Cama Disculpeme Señora A La Hora Que Me Llamen, Voy Quien Como Tu La Gitana La Critica La Paella Estas A Tiempo A Donde Vas Amor? Entre Abismos

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'Un Congo Me Dio La Letra'
Grupo Caribe

Just released in January of 2003, this is not a commercially known band... but one of those treasure finds that you hear about from the New York neighbouhood; and from surfing through the internet, it's been one of their best releases yet of old school salsa featuring a line-up of leading New York musicians and singers.

The lead vocalists on this album are known as four of the best of New York City -- Herman Olivera, Frankie Vazquez, Luis Ayala and Frankie Figueroa.

Other Reviews/Interviews of Grupo Caribe: The Album - Interview in 2003

Songs: Linda Palomar A Tite Curet Un Congo Me Dio La Letra Nague Senior Slick Cambiare Desilucion Yo No Se Nada Rumba Internacional Sobre Una Tumba Una Rumba Luisa

Musicians: Sergio Rivera - Piano and executive producer Louis Bauzo - Musical director and producer; congas, bongo, guiro, shekere, chorus Frankie Figueroa - Special guest singer Al Acosta - Saxes and flute Tony Barrero - Trumpet Louis Ayala - Lead vocal Robert Suttman - Trombone David Miller - Trombone Bernie Minoso - Bass Gerry Madera - Bass Ruben Rodriguez - Bass Pepe Castillo - Pandaretas Jose Madera - Timbales Frankie Vazquez - Maracas, guiro Herman Olivera - Chorus Ray Viera - Chorus

'20 Exitos'
Oscar D'Leon

Although this album was released in 2002, I just had to include this album into this list because it was the only album I could find that had the infamous song from the videoclip of Frankie Martinez social dancing in Puerto Rico and which I got an email almost every month asking the name of this infectious tune and where could you get it... "Me Prendiste Velas".

Songs:

El Que Siembra Su Maiz Mata Siguaraya El Frutero Juancito Trucupey Juanita Morel Longina Capullito De Azucena El Manicero Yo Quisiera Saber Oye Mima

Quiereme Sun Sun Babae La Comprita Contestame Maria Por Que Sera Sandunguera Comuniquemonos Temo Decircelo Todo Me Prendiste Velas

Thank you Tower Records, I found an album with an audio clip to "Me Prendiste Velas"

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