The atmosphere signaled that another electrical performance was due to take place under the cozy surroundings of the Lula Lounge.

As usual the turn out was not what it should've been, considering that we were about to be treated by the new shining star of Cuba, carrying the torch confidently that was once passed on to her by legends past such as Celia!

Not to mention that the supporting crew conducted by the infamous El Nino de Jesus, brought the house to such great climax of sheer Salsa ecstasy that even the most reserved non dancers were on the floor feeling the heavy afro-cuban beats.

Upon my arrival a little after 10:15 I heard the band's slamming version of Edwin Bonilla "Si tu no quiere no baila conmigo" but the vocals struck a great familiarity as of someone who you've been listening to for a long time. So I asked the sound man if this was the same vocalist as the one for Edwin Bonilla which he said yes. After their mini set I approached the vocalist to find out more and he said that he is El Nino De Jesus and he's done all the arrangements and singing on Edwin's cd and also has worked with Johnny Polanco, Willie Rosario and Charlie D' Cali .

Now everyone was in anticipation of the second set, when you heard the most haunting ballad version of "Que te pedi" with Haila's vocals soaring and filling the air with such magnificent presence that everyone rushed to get closer to the stage to take in the full effect. Then they played "Sopita de botella" with such conviction that it sounded better than her version on cd !! If you think that recorded Salsa energizes you to groove wait till you experience it with a live band that is packed with so much rhythm ready to move mountains. Haila Mompie and her band put on a fantastic show at Lula and I highly urge the salseros of Toronto to support these great talented musicians that keep the vibe alive.

DJ Fab, Toronto

Other Readers' Reviews

May 28, 2004

Haila review by Rob G

The band came on around 10pm but there was about twenty minutes of jamming including conga, trumpet and trombone solos before Haila made it to the stage.

She started off with some straight salsa (Hoy Me Inclino). Three songs in she was singing a very Cha-Cha-ed version of 'Bembe Colora'...and that was the the end of the first set.

I was getting the impression that this wasn't a band that she plays with to write and arrange new material; rather it was a band with whom she would jam the standards. In her clean, clear voice with her slightly nasally inntonation she began the second set with a cover of La Lupe's 'Que te Perdi'- It was a lounge version accompanied only by piano and a reed contraption that would make Kenny G proud.

The pace picked up a bit with Celia Cruz' 'Quimbara Quimbara' but it wasn't until midnight that she belted out Yo no Me Parezco A Nadie. And it was over...In total She sang about 6 or 7 songs: A salsa (Hoy me Inclino), A rhumba (Quimbara), a cha-cha (Bembe corlora), a ballad (que te perdi), a timba (Yo no me Parezco). For the uninitiated it may have been a good show but for someone who has been bitten by the the Bamboleo bug I left unsatisfied.

Unsatisfied by the lack of musical innovation, (We were going back in time to the 60's, 70's and 80's.) Lack of origional, modern material (I waited until idnight to arrive in the 90's to hear Yo no me parezco) and lack of interest in providing value for the dollar (I paid $25 for the ticket. Although the band came on at shortly after 10pm, Haila came on stage arount 10:30 and took a break around 11pm. She returned at around 11:30 and the Show was finished at 12:15.) I think Haila was resting on her laurels, and was uninterested in providing her audiance with anything new and interesting and failed in providing a full night of entertainment.