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Dominican Salseros- Where Are They?
Dominican Salsa Group
there is a relatively new(compared to everyone else) Dominican Salsa group called Sexxapeal ( from what i gathered this group is fathered by Raulin Rosendo ) they sang this song that came out a few summers ago called "Porque no dejas ese loco"(the only song that got radio play in NY/NJ) . It was alright , but other songs on their CD were really good .However i dont think they have enough promotion to get them famous at least .Also , this is a rough time for new Salsa as well as Merengue artists to debut due to the attention regguetton (it might not be just a fad)has been getting for the past few years, no when knows when it will cool down or if it ever will.
there is a relatively new(compared to everyone else) Dominican Salsa group called Sexxapeal ( from what i gathered this group is fathered by Raulin Rosendo ) they sang this song that came out a few summers ago called "Porque no dejas ese loco"(the only song that got radio play in NY/NJ) . It was alright , but other songs on their CD were really good .However i dont think they have enough promotion to get them famous at least .Also , this is a rough time for new Salsa as well as Merengue artists to debut due to the attention regguetton (it might not be just a fad)has been getting for the past few years, no when knows when it will cool down or if it ever will.
YEah, it hasnt died, just its posters are resting! I promise I will post here or on a new thread the results of my clave research and its relation to dancing salsa. Meanwhile I have been looking for some of the new salseros mentioned here.
Also caught this Sunday's edition of Etiqueta Tropical, this time featuring Gilberto Santa Rosa and Luis Miguel, neither of them my favorites but they gave great performances. I just love that show.
While I am at it let me plug an older Dominican Salsero whose career kind of took a nose dive -- if anyone knows where he is these days, fill us in -- Rey Reyes. His first album, El Rey, had all kinds of good songs, two of which -- El Borojol, a song of praise for the music and musicians of that barrio, and Dulcinea, also a song of praise for swinging hips! -- are jewels. He had his problems with drugs and jail, and when he came out he released another album that also had a few good hits on it. I think there was a third album, as well as a collection of hits album, and then nothing. A shame really, becuase he had some talent.
Miguel, welcome back! PM me, let me know how things worked out. Did you get my last ms re: pensions in El conde?
Also caught this Sunday's edition of Etiqueta Tropical, this time featuring Gilberto Santa Rosa and Luis Miguel, neither of them my favorites but they gave great performances. I just love that show.
While I am at it let me plug an older Dominican Salsero whose career kind of took a nose dive -- if anyone knows where he is these days, fill us in -- Rey Reyes. His first album, El Rey, had all kinds of good songs, two of which -- El Borojol, a song of praise for the music and musicians of that barrio, and Dulcinea, also a song of praise for swinging hips! -- are jewels. He had his problems with drugs and jail, and when he came out he released another album that also had a few good hits on it. I think there was a third album, as well as a collection of hits album, and then nothing. A shame really, becuase he had some talent.
Miguel, welcome back! PM me, let me know how things worked out. Did you get my last ms re: pensions in El conde?
Sorry guys!
Macocael. let me list some salsas that Henry Garcia sings. I am pretty sure that you have heard them all.
Nacio Varon, Cantando se fue, Pa' gozar contigo, Vuelve, Mariana Engracia, Ciego de amor, El aborto, Murio el sonero, Amor para mi. He also sang merengues: Micharen and one of my favorites merengue song from yesteryears: Sisi y Ricardo.
As far as Jerry Masucci, the man was nothing more than a thief!. The man became a multi millionaire by exploiting everybody that he came in contact with.
I believe that the influence that Dominican born Pacheco had in salsa is a little unappreciated. There was a time when every single album that he worked on, just about ALL the songs became big hits. The 2 albums that he did with Celia Cruz are legendary.
Who can forget some of Pacheco's charangas/sones, where he proved to whomever cared to listen, how great he was with the flute. I get into "dancing mood" every time I listen to "El guiro de Macorina", "Alto songo", "El agua del clavelito", "Oyeme mulata", "Con su bataola".
Talking about Ismael Rivera, man, what a great sonero. I was listening to his songs: Severa, El negro bembon, Vitate de la via perico, Como son las cosas, Maquinolandera and it took me back to when I was a little lad.
By the way, let's not forget about La Sonora Poncena. Pretty good band. Their songs: "Cancion", "Abanacue", "Saoco", "Tumba mabo" and "Pio pio" always bring a smile to my face.
A dose of Henry Garcia's "Cantando se fue":
Coro:
"Cantando se me fue mi lucero,
estoy triste, solo y sin consuelo,
para la Capital se me ha hido,
solo queda dolor en mi nido".
Henry:
"Cuando se me fue mi amada,
solo quede en mi bohio,
pensando que habia marchado a buscar lana pa'l trigo,
porque no tenia pa' darle del pan de todos los dias,
porque se me habia acabado el maiz en mi finquita.....
Ok guys, I am back for a bit so LET'S TALK SALSA!!!!!!!!!!!.macocael said:
Macocael. let me list some salsas that Henry Garcia sings. I am pretty sure that you have heard them all.
Nacio Varon, Cantando se fue, Pa' gozar contigo, Vuelve, Mariana Engracia, Ciego de amor, El aborto, Murio el sonero, Amor para mi. He also sang merengues: Micharen and one of my favorites merengue song from yesteryears: Sisi y Ricardo.
As far as Jerry Masucci, the man was nothing more than a thief!. The man became a multi millionaire by exploiting everybody that he came in contact with.
I believe that the influence that Dominican born Pacheco had in salsa is a little unappreciated. There was a time when every single album that he worked on, just about ALL the songs became big hits. The 2 albums that he did with Celia Cruz are legendary.
Who can forget some of Pacheco's charangas/sones, where he proved to whomever cared to listen, how great he was with the flute. I get into "dancing mood" every time I listen to "El guiro de Macorina", "Alto songo", "El agua del clavelito", "Oyeme mulata", "Con su bataola".
Talking about Ismael Rivera, man, what a great sonero. I was listening to his songs: Severa, El negro bembon, Vitate de la via perico, Como son las cosas, Maquinolandera and it took me back to when I was a little lad.
By the way, let's not forget about La Sonora Poncena. Pretty good band. Their songs: "Cancion", "Abanacue", "Saoco", "Tumba mabo" and "Pio pio" always bring a smile to my face.
A dose of Henry Garcia's "Cantando se fue":
Coro:
"Cantando se me fue mi lucero,
estoy triste, solo y sin consuelo,
para la Capital se me ha hido,
solo queda dolor en mi nido".
Henry:
"Cuando se me fue mi amada,
solo quede en mi bohio,
pensando que habia marchado a buscar lana pa'l trigo,
porque no tenia pa' darle del pan de todos los dias,
porque se me habia acabado el maiz en mi finquita.....
Salsa #1 Fan
there's one dominican artist that sings great salsa apart from the ones already mentioned...raulyn, cuco. etc.
his name is Manole, this guy has a great voice for salsa. in fact he had this salsa call "como una reina" and raulyn used to sing it too...pretty weird to have two artist sing the same salsa in one era. anyways, I remember how nice that songs was...meaning manole's version, but on the radio they used to play Raulyns version for the most part. i was always annyoed at that. but i guess that was so because raulyn was more prominent. I finnaly got my hands on manoles version on MP3 and was happy about that.
I also think Mickey taveras has great salsas, "mi historia entre tus dedos" needless to say was his greatest, the song played for soooo long on the radio, its just one of those songs that its hard to get tired of. now its almost like a classic. my secodn favorite salsa by mickey taveras is "quiereme" which is beautiful song.
i wonder how successful one canbe teaching how to dance salsa in DR?
that could be a backup plan for when I move...lol
there's one dominican artist that sings great salsa apart from the ones already mentioned...raulyn, cuco. etc.
his name is Manole, this guy has a great voice for salsa. in fact he had this salsa call "como una reina" and raulyn used to sing it too...pretty weird to have two artist sing the same salsa in one era. anyways, I remember how nice that songs was...meaning manole's version, but on the radio they used to play Raulyns version for the most part. i was always annyoed at that. but i guess that was so because raulyn was more prominent. I finnaly got my hands on manoles version on MP3 and was happy about that.
I also think Mickey taveras has great salsas, "mi historia entre tus dedos" needless to say was his greatest, the song played for soooo long on the radio, its just one of those songs that its hard to get tired of. now its almost like a classic. my secodn favorite salsa by mickey taveras is "quiereme" which is beautiful song.
i wonder how successful one canbe teaching how to dance salsa in DR?
that could be a backup plan for when I move...lol
I am all for it!
Los Rosarios have done it, Ruby Perez have done it, Juan Luis Guerra have done it, Cuco Valoy have done it, his son, Ramon Orlando have done it, Johnny Ventura have done it for YEARS and many, many others.
I guess that it all depends on a fan's taste. SOME merengue fans do not like salsas from merengueros and some salsa fans do not like salsas by merengueros.
Btw guys, I have great news about the Fania Label/recordings. Some of you may already know but I will post it on my next post. No time now. Great, great news.
Just like I like SOME merengueros singing cra, er, bachatas, I enjoy SOME merengueros singing salsas.El Tigre said:
Los Rosarios have done it, Ruby Perez have done it, Juan Luis Guerra have done it, Cuco Valoy have done it, his son, Ramon Orlando have done it, Johnny Ventura have done it for YEARS and many, many others.
I guess that it all depends on a fan's taste. SOME merengue fans do not like salsas from merengueros and some salsa fans do not like salsas by merengueros.
Btw guys, I have great news about the Fania Label/recordings. Some of you may already know but I will post it on my next post. No time now. Great, great news.
Henry Garcia never had a group of his own, but he sang lead on many songs with Cuco Valoy. Other than that, the only prominent role that he has had on any group is with Cocoband, where he was part of the front singers after the group was raided of much of its original talent. However, if you know his voice as many of us do, you can pick it out on the chorus of most studio recorded songs (merengue, salsa) in DR. Since the early 80s and currently, he has been the most prominent and sought after back up singer in DR, and has been featured as such on probably 90% of studio recorded songs in DR. The only other person whose voice is used as much, is Reynold Sosa, who sings with "Los Hermanos Rosario".
"Manole" is Manuel Perez. He played piano with the original "Banda Gorda" and then left to form his own group, "Manole y La Banda Del Truco". The band played mostly merengue and were actually very good, but after some early success fizzled due to lack of funding and promotional work. You can hear his voice on the first 4 to 5 albums put out by "Banda Gorda", as he is the one talking to Pe?a Suazo at the beginning of some of the songs. ("Mi compadre...) As someone mentioned previously, his performance on the song "Como Una Reina" is excellent and shows that he has great potential as a salsa singer.
Sexappeal has been around since 1993 but his career took an upswing after the collaboration of Ramon Orlando Valoy on his last album.
"Manole" is Manuel Perez. He played piano with the original "Banda Gorda" and then left to form his own group, "Manole y La Banda Del Truco". The band played mostly merengue and were actually very good, but after some early success fizzled due to lack of funding and promotional work. You can hear his voice on the first 4 to 5 albums put out by "Banda Gorda", as he is the one talking to Pe?a Suazo at the beginning of some of the songs. ("Mi compadre...) As someone mentioned previously, his performance on the song "Como Una Reina" is excellent and shows that he has great potential as a salsa singer.
Sexappeal has been around since 1993 but his career took an upswing after the collaboration of Ramon Orlando Valoy on his last album.
Correcto!
You are more than right, the man is always busy singing backup. Just about EVERYBODY uses the man, from Los Rosario's "Insuperables" cd to Fernandito Villalona's "Naci para cantar" cd.
Once, while on vacation in the DR, I was invited by my buddy, Felix Veloz, to see how he "engineers" sounds at the studio that he works at. I was there for a few minutes when all of a sudden, in comes Ramon Orlando with some of his band members(they were recording that day). After being introduced to the man and after talking for about 20 minutes, IN comes MR Henry Garcia!. The man, for what I saw, has a great personality and can talk like a "catedratico". All that Felix said to me was that the man is in such demand that he just might as well bring a bed to the recording studio since he was ALWAYS there, recording backup.
I am pretty sure that he is making much, much more now than when he was with Cuco Valoy!. Well, at least I hope since the man has "some pipes".
I have always wondered why is it that he never had his own band. I believe that he never got managerial backing because, in the DR, salsa singers are not supported. SOME just rather listen to a merengue about a pencil than a good salsa from a great singer.Hipocrito Mejia said:
You are more than right, the man is always busy singing backup. Just about EVERYBODY uses the man, from Los Rosario's "Insuperables" cd to Fernandito Villalona's "Naci para cantar" cd.
Once, while on vacation in the DR, I was invited by my buddy, Felix Veloz, to see how he "engineers" sounds at the studio that he works at. I was there for a few minutes when all of a sudden, in comes Ramon Orlando with some of his band members(they were recording that day). After being introduced to the man and after talking for about 20 minutes, IN comes MR Henry Garcia!. The man, for what I saw, has a great personality and can talk like a "catedratico". All that Felix said to me was that the man is in such demand that he just might as well bring a bed to the recording studio since he was ALWAYS there, recording backup.
I am pretty sure that he is making much, much more now than when he was with Cuco Valoy!. Well, at least I hope since the man has "some pipes".
miguel said:
He is definitely a real nice guy and very down to earth. As a kid, I remember him walking around our neighborhood (Ensanche la Fe) just like the average person, when he was already famous and everyone knew who he was. He would always say hello and waive to people, but he was mostly quiet and very low key.
Ah, OK, NOW I know who Henry Garcia is and I have been listening to him all this time without knowing. I reviewed my Cuco Valoy collection and found all the songs mentioned and more, in particular two favorites of mine, "Daniel" and "Facundo."--it's the same voice on those cuts. This guy is just great, he has just the right voice for salsa, and now I wonder along with the rest of you why he isnt out in front with this own band. It could be for the reasons you mention, it could be that he is a humble guy who doesnt want to lead. He needs someone like Johnny Pacheco to set him up with the right backing and support (in terms of good writing, good orchestra, good chorus in the back,and sort of relieve him of the necessity of running the band, which is after all running a business). I would really like to meet this guy, and I bet it wouldnt be so hard. I met Don Pedro Mir just by calling him up from the street one day!
And let's hear it for the multitalented Ramon Orlando -- that is him playing piano on the Cuco Valoy/Henry Garcia cuts. Listen to his solo on "facundo" -- it is as good as anything Larry Harlow turned out. I wouldnt mind meeting Ramon Orlando, either. Always liked his music, all of it, not just the merengue. Very talented guy. I gather he is mainly producing these days, is that right?
Finally, I am all for people crossing genres. Did you know that Ruben Blades has a great merengue called "El Apagon"? Celia Cruz of course did great merengues. And have you ever heard Roberto Roena's version of "La Mala Ma?a"? "Jardin Prohibido" has always been a favorite of mine, JLG's "Razones," even Pochy had at least one good salsa. There are lots of these examples.
And let's hear it for the multitalented Ramon Orlando -- that is him playing piano on the Cuco Valoy/Henry Garcia cuts. Listen to his solo on "facundo" -- it is as good as anything Larry Harlow turned out. I wouldnt mind meeting Ramon Orlando, either. Always liked his music, all of it, not just the merengue. Very talented guy. I gather he is mainly producing these days, is that right?
Finally, I am all for people crossing genres. Did you know that Ruben Blades has a great merengue called "El Apagon"? Celia Cruz of course did great merengues. And have you ever heard Roberto Roena's version of "La Mala Ma?a"? "Jardin Prohibido" has always been a favorite of mine, JLG's "Razones," even Pochy had at least one good salsa. There are lots of these examples.
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Hey Macocael.
Is that Pochy salsa you are refering to Salsa con Coco? If so I really like that salsa. I remember dancing to it in the early 90s!
You mentioned some of the Celia merengues. I like "el guaba" the live version where Pacheco sings it with her. It's awesome!!! I also enjoy the merengue by Willie Colon Amor Verdadero NOW THAT IS A NICE CLASSIC!
Is that Pochy salsa you are refering to Salsa con Coco? If so I really like that salsa. I remember dancing to it in the early 90s!
You mentioned some of the Celia merengues. I like "el guaba" the live version where Pacheco sings it with her. It's awesome!!! I also enjoy the merengue by Willie Colon Amor Verdadero NOW THAT IS A NICE CLASSIC!
Macocael et al.-
I also believe Pochy is talented in salsa and other genres. Regardless how people may 'label' his merengue Cocoband was Cocoband back in the day and let's face it he had some GOOD merengue in the late 80's and up to the mid 90's. I own his whole collection and believe me I can still play any album and enjoy it to the bone. Now in terms of salsa, I think Pochy is a good salsero cross over artist. Any of you own his album El Arrollador? That album has a mix of merengue and salsa. Including his big hit in 1992 "Salsa con coco".
As well one of his mid 90's albums titled Temible has a nice salsa on that one too. Let's not forget Pochy has proven himself as an artist for nice cha cha cha. Very smooth rhythms to dance to. Pochy phased out in the late 90's and then came back with two nice albums in the past three years which have a mix of merengue and cha cha cha.
If you are looking for nice collector's albums I recommend Grandes ?xitos de la Cocoband Vol.1 and 2.
~LDG
I still prefer salsa from Puerto Rico and Colombia.
I also believe Pochy is talented in salsa and other genres. Regardless how people may 'label' his merengue Cocoband was Cocoband back in the day and let's face it he had some GOOD merengue in the late 80's and up to the mid 90's. I own his whole collection and believe me I can still play any album and enjoy it to the bone. Now in terms of salsa, I think Pochy is a good salsero cross over artist. Any of you own his album El Arrollador? That album has a mix of merengue and salsa. Including his big hit in 1992 "Salsa con coco".
As well one of his mid 90's albums titled Temible has a nice salsa on that one too. Let's not forget Pochy has proven himself as an artist for nice cha cha cha. Very smooth rhythms to dance to. Pochy phased out in the late 90's and then came back with two nice albums in the past three years which have a mix of merengue and cha cha cha.
If you are looking for nice collector's albums I recommend Grandes ?xitos de la Cocoband Vol.1 and 2.
~LDG
I still prefer salsa from Puerto Rico and Colombia.
El Arrollador was just the album I had in mind, but I have lost my copy.
I say we all call Henry Garcia up and get together for a little party here in the capital! we can pull out our rare salsa cuts, play 'em, talk about salsa, knock back a few Presidentes vestidas de novia.
I say we all call Henry Garcia up and get together for a little party here in the capital! we can pull out our rare salsa cuts, play 'em, talk about salsa, knock back a few Presidentes vestidas de novia.
Man, gan you imagine?. And:macocael said:
While we are at it, let's have: Ruben Blades sing "Plastico" for us, Willie Colon sing "Gitana", El Gran Combo play "Aguacero", Andy Montanez sing his merengue "Bebiendo sin banarse", Ray Barreto sing "Guajira y tambo, Raulin Rosendo sing "Somos", Pacheco to play his flute on "A mi que", Ismael Miranda to sing "Los zapatos de mi viejo, Oscar D'Leon sing "Que lastima que seas ajena", Tito Nieves to sing "Mi vida de ayer" (so I can cry like a little girl), Henry Garcia to sing ALL his songs and last but not least, let's ALL STAND UP and sing Hector Lavoe's "Songoro consongo", right after "Todo tiene su final", "El todopoderoso", Periodico de ayer", "Rompe saraguey", "El cantante", "Comedia", "Aguanile", "Que bien te ves", "Te estan buscando", "No me llores mas", "Sombras nada mas" and "Mi gente"!!.
Man, what a nice dream!!.
Btw, OLD SALSA LOVERS:
Be on the lookout for my next post, in about an hour.
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Lesley D said:
The original Cocoband revolutionized merengue and IMO is the single most influential band in the last 30 years. If you go and look at the original cast of talent in that band, and the musicians which subsequently played in that band, you will see exactly what I mean.
Hipocrito Mej?a-
I know exactly what you mean. You don't have to convince me! It's the other people who don't know the history of many tropical genres, learn about it overnight and then criticize or comment out of context.
Cocoband has my forever vote. It is good merengue. I really enjoy the old tunes such as: El toro en la capital, La faldita and Ya viene el lunes.... caramba.
~LDG.
I know exactly what you mean. You don't have to convince me! It's the other people who don't know the history of many tropical genres, learn about it overnight and then criticize or comment out of context.
Cocoband has my forever vote. It is good merengue. I really enjoy the old tunes such as: El toro en la capital, La faldita and Ya viene el lunes.... caramba.
~LDG.