NPR’s Alt Latino Podcast on Cumbia
I like to share good content from where ever it comes, and I highly recommend NPR's Alt. Latino podcast on Cumbia music.
Insights on Cumbia
I really enjoyed this podcast on Cumbia and learned a few things I'll briefly share below.…
Danny Rivera, Humberto Ramirez, and “Mil Años de Plena” (Review)
In "Mil Años de Plena" Danny Rivera pays tribute to the late trumpeter and bandleader Cesar Concepcion with the backing of today's acclaimed trumpeter and bandleader Humberto Ramirez.
Don Cesar, Danny & Humberto: the Beginnings
Danny…
Virtual Novenas for Cristo Negro
This pandemic has changed the lives of all of us, including the devotees who this year will have to participate virtually in the "novenas" for the Cristo Negro of Portobelo.
Virtual Novenas
This year they are transmitting the novenas…
Willie Colon’s “Cosa Nuestra” in Billboard Chart
"Cosa Nuestra" (1970), the 4th album by Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe, turned 50 and its re-release now made it to the Billboard charts.
"Cosa Nuestra" #3 in Billboard
A new edition of "Cosa Nuestra" was released to celebrate its 50th…
Simply Lalo Rodriguez
I'm writing about Lalo Rodriguez's Salsa album "Simplemente Lalo" for two reasons; the album turns 40 and Lalo needs our support.
For me, "Simplemente Lalo" was his best recording, by far, of his solo career.
Lalo Rodriguez Early Years…
Jerry Gonzalez’s Folkloric Experiment
In the mid 1970's when the Salsa boom was at its peak in New York, brothers Andy and Jerry Gonzalez decided to form a group to experiment with the folkloric roots of Salsa.
But the reason to do it might surprise you.
Origins of Grupo…
“Songoro Cosongo” Part 2; First Versions and Hector Lavoe
The first versions of the song "Songoro Cosongo", and the one made popular by Hector Lavoe, evolved from a literary revolution as we saw in Part 1.
Here's the rest of the story.
First Versions of "Songoro Cosongo"
Nicolas Guillen liked…
“Songoro Cosongo” Part 1; the Literary Revolution
The "Songoro Cosongo" song made popular by Hector Lavoe, had its origin in the literary revolution against the racism rampant in the Caribbean during the first decades of the 20th century.
It turns out that in 1930, a Cuban poet and…
Gilberto Santa Rosa’s “Colegas” Review
In "Colegas" Gilberto Santa Rosa achieves three goals; goes back to his roots in Salsa Dura, sings retro Salsa songs, and shares singing duties with colleagues he admires.
This lengthy album was recorded over a period of two years, and…