. CASH BOX OCTOBERS, 1994 20 REVIEWS By Hector Resendez EDSEL JULIET W/ ORCHESTRA - ;s^ y.S. ^ Latin IDSEL JULIETf , SWTM ORCHSSt«A SAUUCO ^ SALJUCO: Salsa & Merengue (JCD 050) Producer: Edsel Juliet. I By Hector Resendez Edsel Juliet is from a prominent and musi- THE QUEEN OF SALSA, Celia t cal family in Curacao where he played there j Crtiz, was honored on Sunday, Sep- t as a samll boy. He came to Holland in his late I tember 25th, by the Student Assodation for the Appreciation of Latin teens about 1976. Juhet takes you from son Culture and the Arts at Cal Polytechnic University in Pomona, CA. Cruz montuno, to mambo, to a pambiche curacao, presented with an inaugural medal named in her honor. Actor Andy SALSA & was Y MAS* LOS and back. All of the selections are well exe- Garda was on hand to present Cruz with the gold medallion. cuted and performed. Of particular interest the Azucar featured comparsa The day-long festivities at Camaval will be the son montunos which may have even dancing by Los Bailerines del Club de Monterey Park accompanied by made the Cuban group, Los Papines, stand up and notice. The introduction by Long John Oliva and his congeros. There was an impressive lineup of local Dr. Salsa (Ira Goldwasser) is out of this world. There is over an hour of music Southern Californian talent. Of particular note was fellow Cubana Candi on the CD. Although based in Amsterdam, Juhet wdl have no problem in Sosa’s beautiful musical medley of Cruz’ most popular .hits. Cruz was so finding his way here. inspired that she stood and enthusiastically applauded Sosa. Other artists at the festival included Pon- cho Sanchez, Hispanic Musidans’ Asso- AZUCAR MORENO: El Amor (Sony ciation and Salsa Orchestra, Latin Jazz Latin 81365) Bobby Matos and the Heritage Ensemble, Producer; Emili o Estefan, Jr. Dandy Beltran with Linda Sanchez, Super The Spanish female duo Azucar Moreno’s Banda Azucar and Orquestra Caribe. latest album, El Amor, is produced by the KPFK, 90.7 FM and the Canto Tropical i li o Jr. This project is a Salsa Show was the sponsoring radio station. renowned Em Estefan, It’s promotional campaign helped to sell tick- step ahead of previous material. The vocals are ets from Santa Barbara to San Diego. KPFK more distinctive yet sufficiently subdued when has 1 12,000 watts of power and is based in called for. It was refreshing to see Gloria North Hollywood.... Estefan’ s composition, “No Sera Each,” newest diva, held a The Salsa India, since it is simply a beautiful song. Estefan/Kiko Santander’s title theme, “El record release party on September 29th in Amor,” is surely a disco dance classic by now. Studio City near Los Angeles. She will fol- low this up with another press junket on Ya (Tri- October 4th at the Copacabana in New York. RMM and Soho Records YOBOSO LATIN JAZZ: Uego have been elated over the strong response to India’s Dicen Que Say album. alog Records MR 343) Fellow labelmate Jose Alberto “El Canario” will be debuting his latest Producers: Ricky Mahchi and Bert Dalton project, De Pueblo Y Con Close. India performed last week at the club Recorded in Sante Fe, New Mexico this in the City of Industry. Pepper’s year, Yoboso is an eclectic mix of talented Out of Sante Fe, hails an acclaimed Latin Jazz quartet named Yobosd. NM musicians. The Latin Jazz quartet has already Their new recording, Yoboso YaUego! (Yx\&\ogMR 343), has been garnishing been receiving strong attention across the coun- them the well-deserved status and recognition of a world-standard touring try. The group blends Latin Jazz with Carib- ensemble. bean Salsa rhythms. The opening number is Bert Dalton (piano, keyboards, vocals) beganplayingatage eight. Dalton ’ “Oye Mama, ’ originaOy recorded by the Latin became interested in jazz in high school, studied music at Northern Illinois and has been a career pianist and arranger for 23 years. Ricky Malichi rock group Malo headed by Jorge Santana, (drums, percussion, vocals) is originally from Detroit and began drumming Carlos’ brother. There are a number of covers mixed with some original at age 11. Danny Olaizola (lead vocals, congas, percussion) was raised in compositions. From an incredible interpretation of the classic “En Mi Viejo Puerto Rico and New York. His group Banshee is found on the Polydor San Juan” to well-crafted originals like Olaizola’s “Homenaje,” Yoboso has label. John Belzaguy (bass, vocals) has freelanced in New York City for the been playing steadily in New Mexico. Dalton states that they are looking last 12 years. forward to travehng to Los Angeles and other major cities. The group blends Latin Jazz with Caribbean Salsa rhythms. The opening number is “Oye Mama,” originally recorded by the group Malo. There are a number of covers mixed with some original compositions. From an PICK OF THE WEEK incredible interpretation of the classic “En Mi Viejo San Juan” to well- crafted originals like Olaizola’s “Homenaje,” this album is certain to draw strong interest.... TANIA MARIA: A/rica En Mexican singer Guadalupe Pineda has long been an interpreter of America (Sony Latin 81368) romantic ballads. With the resurgence of “Musica Ranchera,” Pineda is Enter- launching a “Mariachi” album entitled Enamorase asi. The album will Producer: Sony Music include traditional numbers like Juan Gabriel’s “Mi mas bello error” as tainment Mexico S.A. de C.V. well as compositions by the late mariachi icon Jose Alfredo Jimenez and The sultry songstress Tania other less-known writers. The album was produced by Pepe Aguilar.... Maria never ceases to amaze her Another Mexican crooner Luis Miguel continues to dominate first place fans. She has recorded a number on the charts with “El dia que me quieras” from his Segundo Romance of diverse albums, from romantic (“Second Romance”) album. The song is holding fast at the #\ slot in Los ballads to Mariachi music. With Angeles as well as in other cities throughout Latin America. Miguel recently Africa En America, Maria steps played to a sold-out house at the Universal Amphitheatre.... into a whole new frontier. The What about those artists who made famous those songs that Miguel today material embraces not only Afri- is popularizing? Lucho Gatica of Chile and Olga Guillot of Cuba are can rhythms, melodies and lyrics, pioneers of the romantic Latin ballad or “bolero” genre. Both are premiering but it at the gala opening of a nightclub in Miami the first weekend in October. seems to cast the artist into Both artists headlined the “100th Anniversary Commemoration of Ballads” another dimension. Aleks Syntek in February of 1990 at the National Theatre of Santo Domingo in the helps to not only direct, but to Dominican Republic. An album of this concert is slated to be released to perform and sing with Maria. Others are Michael Rojkind and Leon Chiprout Latin America and Spain by February of 1995. of EMI Capitol, Ruben Rada and BMG Ariola’s Sabo Romo..