…and the Grammy goes to YOU!
Posted on 03. Feb, 2010 by Hector Aviles in Latino Music
The Grammy event had little surprises this year for Latino artists. I obviously was pulling for a couple of Latinos who eventually didn’t win, and within the Latino music categories, the same artists won. Whichever artist you were pulling for, one clear winner Sunday evening was you, the Latin music listener. The nominee list is full of great music in various categories, so if you are looking on what to spend your ever-shrinking discretionary money, the Grammys gave you a good recommendation list which I will now cover.
Good Latin Music Nominated
Look no further than the list of nominees for some great music to buy with your discretionary money. I found a couple of gems when going through the list, although if I had paid attention to my fellow bloggers, I should have known of these good buys.
So let’s start with heavy “ketchup” first. You can’t go wrong with any of the recording on the nominee list for Best Tropical Latin Album. Luis Enrique’s “Ciclos”, which I have reviewed here in LatinoWebCafe, and Omara Portuondo’s “Gracias” had both one Latin Grammys as they competed in different categories back in November. Both are gems. Luis Enrique’s made a super comeback with this album produced by Sergio George, and in which Luis Enrique included great song lyrics, which most have a positive message. You have to love great music with great song-writing. Doña Omara recorded a bunch of Latin classics in her “Gracias” album. Is mostly boleros, with a mix of other rhythms here and there, and it makes for a great relaxing album. I like to listen to it over dinner or when relaxing with a cup of wine.
“Guasabara” is a big band masterpiece for which Jose Lugo should have won at least a Latin Grammy. Lugo did a great job of assembling an All Star talent, from musicians to singers. Great Salsa! Isaac Delgado did his thing with “Asi Soy”, in great fashion. And my late surprise of the group was Tiempo Libre’s “Bach in Havana”. I had read about this recording, but somehow I wasn’t attracted to it. Must be another one of those timba “wannabes” group. But seeing it in the this list of nominees, I figured it must be at least decent. I gave it a try with my expectations low, and was surprised at how much I liked a recording with little Salsa/Timba soneos on it. Its mostly an instrumental album, with a few exceptions, but musical talent of these guys just bubbles to the surface. If there was a Grammy for Musical Creativity or Innovation, they would have won it hands down. What a way to integrate classical music into Tropical rhythms. I was cleaning up the kitchen when I put my Zune to play this album, and was blown away by the musicality of the album. Doesn’t hurt to invite their fellow Cubans Paquito D’Rivera and Yosvany Terry. This is not a “mamita ven pa’ca” album. This is something to put when you are doing some shore, or have friends over and want some background music. But don’t be fooled, its not elevator music either. This has swing. My suggestion is to just try it.
Chembo Corniel Things I Wanted To Do
On Jazz, I discovered Chembo Corniel’s gem “Things I Wanted to Do”. I love the title; it sounds like my To Do List. Chembo performs superbly in the congas and his band is very good. My brother in-law has a collection of Poncho Sanchez CDs, so I’ve been listening to a lot of a conguero Latin Jazz lately. Chembo’s album is up there with Poncho. Chembo Corniel’s album was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album, but lost to “Juntos Para Siempre” from Bebo and Chucho Valdez. The Cuban father-son pianist had won the Latin Grammy in the category as well. “Juntos Para Siempre” is a great gem, played by two master pianists, and anyone who remembers their Calle 54 video performance know what they are capable of. I have a blog about them, which you can find HERE.
Finally, I want to mention Puerto Rican saxophonist Miguel Zenon’s “Esta Plena” album. Zenon was nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for his performance in “Villa Palmeras” of this album “Esta Plena”. I loved how Miguel Zenon integrated the plena rhythm into the Jazz framework in a way that seems natural rather than forced. Another great musical gem.
Grammy Nominees Make Great Buys
With Valentine’s Day approaching, the Grammy list of nominees gives you a great music recommendation list. Although I covered only my favorite Grammy categories, I believe this applies to most if not all categories. Let me know if you try something new and how you like it.
Related Blogs @ LatinoWebCafe:
Luis Enrique’s “Ciclos” CD Review
Father’s Day Special - Cuban Pianists Bebo y Chucho Valdés
5 Comments
Isla
03. Feb, 2010
Hector- I definitely agree with what you say about Tiempo Libre’s “Bach in Havana”. I came into it having already listened to “Arroz con Mango” and “Lo Que Esperabas” so I had the benefit of knowing in advance just how talented these guys are. Their music is full of energy and life- it’s this infectious timba that you can’t help but dance to. Still, when I listened to their Afro-Cuban/Bach album I was so surprised! They do such an incredible job of seamlessly moulding two supposedly antithetical styles of music. Who’d have thought it would work? Let’s be honest here, it could’ve gone scarily awry. But you’re precisely right- their musical talent is remarkable. Not to mention, who doesn’t love Paquito D’Rivera. And for that reason alone, “Bach in Havana” is at the top of my must-haves list (I’ve already bought a few extra copies as Valentines Day presents. I would highly recommend doing the same!)
Hector Aviles
03. Feb, 2010
Isla - thanks for the comment. Yes, this type of musical experiments, particularly when trying to mix tropical with clasical can go really bad. Tiempo Libre did a wonderful and very creative thing.
I have to wonder how much help they got from Paquito D’Rivera, as he as been crossing over to the classical world lately, with Yo-Yo Ma, and with his own quintet, which recieved a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Crossover Album, which by the way won Yo-Yo Ma & Friends in which Paquito participated.
I would assume that Paquito may have helped as consultant, but the original music and concept came from the Tiempo Libre guys.
Isla
17. Feb, 2010
That is an interesting question you raised. I wrote to the management about the question and here is the response they sent me: “Dear Isla, thanks for your interest in Tiempo Libre’s Bach in Havana. The band were thrilled that Paquito D’Rivera was able to participate on their album. He is one of their all-time heroes. He was not otherwise involved in the project, though. All the music was written/arranged by Tiempo Libre’s Music Director Jorge Gomez. If you have a physical copy of the disc, you might want to read the notes which are very interesting with regard to the background and inspirations for each of the pieces. The genesis of the project comes from Jorge’s life in Havana – studying Bach by day (at La Ena) and playing Afro-Cuban music by night”.
Pretty cool, no?
Dustin M.
24. Mar, 2010
I was also pulling for some Latin artists that didn’t win, but oh well. It was still interesting. I honestly think with new emerging latin bands, Latin music - musica latina in general just keeps getting better in my opinion.
Name carlos reyes
20. Jun, 2010
I agree, the winners are always the same.
What do you need to win:
1- luck
2- friends
3- money to buy the “voting pool”
4- be friend of Gabriel Abaroa
5-be an artist managed by Alejandro Abaroa (warner music mexico), brother of Gabriel Abaroa, president of the Latin Grammys
6- do a deal with Wireless Latin Entertainment, personal music business owned by Gabriel Abaroa.
7- have friends in the music committees
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