There have been several young groups out there trying to fill the demand of \u201csalsa dura pa\u2019l bailador\u201d (hard Salsa for dancers). Grupo Arcano, directed by George Velez, Jr. is a worthy contender in this battle.<\/p>\n
The Brooklyn-based Grupo Arcano released their debut album “Desde el Otro Lado del East River”<\/em> in 2012 under the Coqui Jives Music label. Arcano has a heavy sound thanks to the strong winds format, integrated by 2 sax\u2019s (alto and tenor), 2 trumpets, and 2 trombones.<\/p>\n Good \u201csalsa dura\u201d with swing for dancing – it reminds me of Orquesta Mulenze in its beginnings.Lyrics relating to various \u201cbarrio\u201d scenarios. Obviously when they wrote \u201cLluvia Viene\u201d<\/em> they couldn\u2019t have imagined a Hurricane Sandy would come by. \u201cEl Travieso Mayor\u201d<\/em> is a \u201ctiraera\u201d song, which one would think is directed to Willie Colon<\/a>. They are talking about a band leader, who plays the trombone, of last name Colon. Could be a bunch of coincidences. I\u2019ll have to ask George.<\/p>\n One of my favorite songs\u00a0is \u201cLa Maya\u201d, partly because it gives the album a refreshing change of pace – it\u2019s a slower \u201cson montuno\u201d, with not one but 2 solos (piano and congas), and 2 mambos. My other favorite song is \u201cUn Tipo Sala\u2019o\u201d<\/em> due to its aggressive mambo with a trumpet solo-ing on top of the winds section in the mambo, which reminds me the old Salsa bands (Barretto, \u201cPerico\u201d, Olivencia come to mind with that style of mambo).<\/p>\n This is a \u201cSalsa dura\u201d album with arrangements which carry great swing for Salsa dancing. George Velez, Sr. provides great vocals and “soneos”. Grupo Arcano has a talented group of musicians. I especially like the \u201ctumbao\u201d of the conga throughout the album and the quality of the wind section. And the album has a very good recording quality.<\/p>\nWhat I Like About \u201cDesde El Otro Lado del East River\u201d<\/em><\/h3>\n
Grupo Arcano Video of “Lluvia Viene” Live at SOB’s<\/h3>\n