Latin Beat Magazine: Latin Beat music update

Despite the array of extraordinary vocalists, pianists, reedmen, horn players and string musicians in Latin music, this year's Percussion Issue reminds us that the driving force behind Latin rhythms is the percussive beat.

The year is almost over, and we see no major move by major labels to make a difference by signing some of the best independents on the scene today. Mamborama, led by pianist/composer Bill Wolfer, is one of these bright new acts that has a "winner" with their latest album, Entre La Habana y La Yuma, with special appearances by Giraldo Piloto, Manolito Simonet, César "Pupy" Pedroso, Julio Padrón, El Indio, and a wonderful group of additional musicians. Check out Desde La Yuma, La Gota Loca, Ven a Bailar, En Cada Barrio, Música and La Lucha.

Danilo Pérez's new disc, Till Then, is a tribute to composers he felt have made an impact on popular Latin music as exemplified by Rubén Blades' Paula C, a tune that Blades sang for the Louie Ramírez y Sus Amigos LP back in 1978. By far, it is one of the better Latin jazz releases of the year.

Straight from Switzerland comes the young band Mercadonegro, led by percussionist Rodrigo Rodríguez (with vocalists Miguel Castillo and Armando Miranda) on the debut CD, Bailalo, tailor-made for DJs and dancers.

Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son have a new disc many fans are shopping for. It is titled Para Bailar Casino and is dedicated to the casino-style of dancing popularized in Cuba during the 1950s. The best tracks are El Hechizo, Tumba, Timbal y Bongó, Deja La Mala Noche and Máquina Para Bailar.

The Caribbean Jazz Project is back with a line-up change: Dave Samuels is now at the helm of Ray Vega, Dafnis Prieto and Rubén Rodríguez, with guest percussionists Café, Randy Brecker and guitarist Romero Lubambo. Birds of a Feather includes the tunes Turnabout, Against the Law, Weird Nightmare, Picture Frame, Valencia and On the Road.

Salsero Charlie Cruz excels on his latest single, Te Voy a Dar, from the compact disc Ven a Mí. The disc contains additional material that is definitely radio-friendly.

Fans of Lazaro Valdés remember him from Bamboleo, but Valdés has branched out as a soloist on his debut, De Tal palo ... Tal Valdés, a scorcher that includes his own compositions Carcassés a Bobby, Balada Para Yanet, De Paso Por Berlin, Piano Para Papá and the title track.

Congratulations to El Gran Combo for a much overdue Latin Grammy win for Best Salsa Recording. The veteran orchestra has a new remix disc out on the streets and it is working in the studio on its next project.