Salsa star Oscar D'Leon invites fans to London show

Legendary salsa singer Oscar D'Leon will perform with his full big band at London's Roundhouse on 3 November 2012 for a one-off concert that no Latin music lover should miss. As he says in this special video message to fans ahead of the show... it should be Sabroso!!
For full details of the concert and how to get tickets click here.

Salsa king Oscar D'Leon comes to London 3 November

One of the truly great legends of salsa music, Oscar D'Leon, will be bringing his swinging big band and his even bigger personality to London's Roundhouse on 3 November for a one-off concert that no Latin music lover should miss.

Organized by London-based promoters Como No!, the show features Oscar D'Leon's full Venezuelan band and will start with sets from top salsa DJs, including Javier La Rosa (Cuba), Johnny G (Colombia), Jose Luis (Venezuela), Lubi (Gallo del Norte), Dr Jim (Londres del Norte) and Rich (Londres del Sur).

Known as El Rey Leon (the Lion King), El Diablo de la Salsa (the Salsa Devil), and El Sonero Mayor (The Greatest Singer of Son) Oscar D'Leon is not only an impressive singer with a huge voice and a matching stage presence, but also a brilliant double bass player and a twinkle-toed dancer (even now as he reaches 70).

He has been setting concert halls alight across the world with blistering dance numbers and smooth boleros since he first emerged as a star in Venezuela in the 1970s.

Born in the poor barrio of Antimano, in the south of the capital city Caracas, Oscar D'Leon drove a bus before fame called with his first band Dimension Latina. Back in those days he had a massive afro to complement his equally impressive moustache.

Starting off with the gritty urban power of the trombone-heavy salsa dura that had emerged from the Latino barrios of New York in the late 60s, he went on to develop a show that included big band numbers from the golden era of 1950s Cuba - when his idol Beny More and the Sonora Matancera ruled the radio and the Mambo kings played songs of love in New York.

Nowadays, to keep up with changing tastes, he continues to add contemporary Caribbean rhythms like rap and reggaetton into the salsa-son cubano mix and his band of percussion players and brass are so well rehearsed from constant gigs around the world they can move seamlessly between old styles and rhythms.

The result is that an Oscar D'Leon gig feels like one long dance party.

This is the perfect opportunity for anybody who takes a salsa class to hear this music played by the best musicians in the business. You can always stay and home and listen to the CDs, but performing live Oscar D'Leon can fill a concert hall in the coldest part of the world with all the warmth and joy of a South American fiesta.

You also get to check out the local Latinos busting moves they don't teach you in school.

But whether you sing along at the front or shuffle along at the back, the only thing certain at an Oscar D'Leon concert is that standing still is not an option - the rollercoaster of Caribbean rhythms unleashed by the Venezuelan salsa king rumbas along to an infectious clave beat that will leave you dancing your way home.

Date: Saturday, 3 November, 8:30 pm
Venue: London's Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8EH
Tickets: £25
For tickets: Contact the Roundhouse or Como No! or Ticket Web

Lloraras y Lloraras - Venezuelan Karaoke Part 1

To prepare you for the concert here are the words to Oscar D'Leon's most famous song "Lloraras" ("You Will Cry") so you can sing along at the gig (although as you can see in the video above Oscar loves to improvise during the chorus). As you might gather from the title, there's quite a lot of crying involved, I've translated the words into English so you get the full effect of this popular break-up song.

Lloraras (in English)
I know that you don't want me to love you,
You're always avoiding me somehow.
If I look for you over here, you pop up over there.
The only thing I want, is that you won't make me suffer anymore.

You will be sorry about your bad behavior,
My suffering will cost you dear.
You will cry and cry with no-one to console you,
And then you'll realize that when someone cheats on you it hurts.

Later on you'll come to ask for forgiveness,
But my heart won't remember you any more.
You will cry and cry with no-one to console you,
And then you'll realize that when someone cheats on you it hurts.
I swear.

You will cry, You will cry, You will cry (You will cry)
Like I suffered (You will cry)
Listen, you will cry (You will cry)
And no-one will understand you (You will cry)
All the bad things (You will cry)
Listen, you will pay (You will cry)

You will cry, You will cry (You will cry)
You will cry, You will cry (You will cry)

You made me suffer (You will cry)
Now I'm the one who's laughing (You will cry)
No, no, yes, yes (You will cry)
Now I will live (You will cry)
My life as I wish (You will cry)
I'm moving on (You will cry)
You will cry.
Take it away!!

Lloraras (in Spanish)
Se que tu no quieres, que yo a ti te quiera
siempre tu me esquivas de alguna manera
si te busco por aqui tu me sales por alla
lo unico que yo quiero es que no me hagas sufrir mas

Por tu mal comportamiento, te vas a arrepentir
muy caro tendras que pagar todo mi sufrimiemto
Lloraras y lloraras sin nadie que te consuele
y asi te daras de cuenta que si te enga?an duele

Y despues vendras a mi, pidiendome perdon
pero ya mi corazon, no se acuerda mas de ti
Lloraras y lloraras sin nadie que te consuele
y asi te daras de cuenta que si te engañan duele
Te lo juro que si!

Lloraras lloraras lloraras (Lloraras)
Como lo sufri yo (Lloraras)
Oye tu lloraras (Lloraras)
Nadie te comprendera (Lloraras)
Todo lo malo que hiciste (Lloraras)
Oye mira lo pagaras (Lloraras)
Lloraras Lloraras (Lloraras)
Lloraras Lloraras (Lloraras)
Tu me hiciste sufrir (Lloraras)
Ahora el que rie soy yo (Lloraras)
que no, que no, que si, que si (Lloraras)
Ahora yo voy a vivir (Lloraras)
Mi vida como yo quiero (Lloraras)
Echa palante ya me voy (Lloraras)
Lloraras
Llevatela!!

Venezuelan band Bacalao Men play the UK

UPDATE: Fuerza London gig on 23 June at Clapham Grand is off! See below for new venue:

Venezuela's tropical fusionistas the Bacalao Men will be touring the UK in June, with a gig on 18 June at the Latin Garden (Nancy's Bordello) in Newcastle, as part of the Vamos Festival; a free gig on 21 June at Bolivar Hall, the Venezuelan cultural centre in London; and another on 23 June at Rich Mix near Brick Lane, where they will share the stage with the Afro-Colombian electro outfit Papaya Republik.

In songs like Malibu Azul and El Comegente (The Cannibal) Bacalao Men combine a zesty blend of rock, funk, jazz and electronica with a hearty splash of Afro-Latin flava and seventies salsa.

Formed in 1999 by singer and bassist Pablo Estacio with saxophonist Aurelio Martinez and drummer Sebastian Araujo, the band were later joined by Rafael Gomez, the guitarrist of the band Lapamariposa, and legendary Venezuelan salsa percussionist Vladimir Rivero.

They have just released their third album Sabaneando (Pilla & Esperanto Records), featuring guest singers and musicians from the Caracas music scene.

For more music samples check out the Bacalao Men on myspace

Venezuela Viva! dance extravaganza comes to UK

UPDATE: Tickets now on sale half price if you book direct from the Red Cross on 020 7877 7115

Incorporating a vibrant fusion of folk music, dance and history, "Venezuela Viva" is one of the most ambitious musical extravaganzas ever produced in Venezuela.

Luckily for us, it will be coming to the London Palladium on October 10th 2011 for a one-off charity event on behalf of the International Fundraising Committee of the British Red Cross.

Created by Carolina Lizarraga and featuring master harpist Carlos Orozco, the show electrified audiences in Edinburgh in 2005 when it played at the Scottish capital's famous annual arts festival.

"The show masquerades as a history lesson, tracing the birth of a nation from Spanish conquest to independence and beyond... but don’t be fooled; it’s one big party!", wrote an excited reviewer in the Guardian.

Anna Millar of The Scotsman newspaper was also bowled over by the show... "this large-scale spectacular celebrates Venezuelan life with gorgeous dancing girls, sensational Caribbean salsa and South American rhythms as 12 dancers and 12 musicians create a dazzling fantasy of flamenco passion and tropical energy."

Hugely ambitious in scope, "Venezuela Viva!" traces the evolution of Venezuelan folk music from its roots in four continents: the Arab culture of the Moors, who ruled most of Spain for nearly 800 years; the rhythms and vocal stylings of the fandanguillo de Malaga, flamenco and cante jondo brought to Venezuela by the Spanish conquistadors; the indigenous music of the native inhabitants of the New World played on flutes and maracas in sacred ceremonies overseen by shamans; and the hip-shaking drum dances of Africa, kept alive on sugar and cocoa plantations by the descendants of slaves.

Now bigger and even more spectacular than the Edinburgh shows, it features 25 dancers from Carolina Lizarraga's dance troupe supported by 10 musicians on stage playing everything from flamenco to modern salsa.

"From 1492 to the present day, the pictures, with voiceover, spin through 19 short scenes, journeying across continents and centuries, charting a history of wars, conquests and discoveries," wrote Lynne Walker in the Independent. "Each stage is portrayed in vivid choreography, danced with equal measures of grace and exuberance... As the show ends, you just want to jump on the next plane to Venezuela."

A UK tour organized by Theatre Productions Limited will follow the London Palladium show, although the dates and venues have yet to be released.

Tickets are on sale from £27.50 for Upper Circle seats, £65 for the Royal Circle and Stalls and £105 for the top priced Royal Circle and Stalls seats.

VIP tickets are also on sale from the Red Cross at £250, including top-price seats, an interval reception and post-show party in the presence of the artists

UPDATE: Tickets now on sale half price if you book direct from the Red Cross on 020 7877 7115

Venue: London Palladium
Date: 10 October 2011
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: www.seetickets.com or call the British Red Cross 0207-877-7115

Orlando Watussi - Las Calaveras Blancas

One of the unsung heroes of Venezuelan salsa, sonero Orlando Castillo "Watussi" deserves a place in the pantheon of musical legends for a 40-year career in Latin music in which he has played with such international greats as Cortijo,Bobby Valentin, Joe Cuba, Kako, Larry Harlow, and salsa supergroup La Tipica '73.

A native of Marin, in Yaracuy State, Watussi's musical apprenticeship was with Federico y Su Combo Latino, before branching out and singing with Los Satelites, and Porfi Jimenez y su Orquesta.

In 1990 he made his UK debut with none other than the legendary mambo king Tito Puente.

In total, he has sung on over 60 albums by other artists and released seven albums of his own material.

"Las Calaveras Blancas" is a composition by Jose Mangual Jr and features on Watussi's album Barrio, produced by the Venezuelan record company Latin World.

Orlando "Watussi" is currently based in Milan, Italy.

Visit his MySpace page for more details: http://www.myspace.com/orlandowatussi

Book Review: Travels on the Venezuelan Dance Floor

Subtitled "one man's journey to the heart of Salsa", UK poet Grevel Lindop's new book "Travels on the Dance Floor" is a voyage of discovery that takes him from the plodding monotony of a salsa class in rainy Manchester to the sexy, sizzling dancehalls and street parties of Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as he tries to learn the intricate turns and fancy footwork needed to master the main tropical rhythms of salsa, timba and merengue.

Given the author's obvious disadvantages - he's English, 6'4" tall, wears a size 12 shoe and has two left feet - converting himself into a slick Latin dance god is no easy task, but Grevel persists and in doing so comes up with an account of his trials and tribulations that is both touching and informative and will certainly appeal to the growing salsa dance crowd in the UK and elsewhere.

For more information and to purchase "Travels on the Dance Floor" click here:

Oscar D'Leon - Ni Frio, Ni Calor

Oscar D'Leon didn't win a gong at the recent Latin Grammy Awards for his latest album "Tranquilamente... Tranquilo", but it's still a triumphant return to top form.

The video shows the first single off the album "Ni Frio, Ni Calor" ("Not cold, Not Hot").

Tranquilamente... Tranquilo
Track Listing:
1. Ni Frío Ni Calor
2. Hasta Que Vuelvas
3. Tienes Uno, Tengo Otra
4. El Papelito
5. Tranquilamente...Tranquilo
6. Esta Ausencia
7. Quiéreme
8. Yo Me Siento Como En Casa
9. La Cocaleca

To hear tracks from "Tranquilamente... Tranquilo" click here:



Click here for a video of Oscar D'Leon performing "Lloraras" in Cali:

Click here for a video of Oscar D'Leon and Wladimir Lozano performing "Que Cosa Tan Linda" back in the days of the Salsa Mayor:

Click here for a video of Oscar D'Leon and Zona 7 performing "Mirala":

Salsa: Oscar D'Leon y Wladimir - Que Cosa Tan Linda

The video's a bit wobbly but it's worth it to see Venezuela's most dynamic salsa duo Oscar D'Leon and Wladimir Lozano perform together back in the days of the Salsa Mayor.

I'll write some more about the song and the video but in the meantime here's a shout out to a great friend who still insists - now in the 21st century - that growing an Oscar D'Leon moustache is the ultimate in male grooming.

This is for Carlos, Kenny and the new bebe Isabel Cristina. Felicitaciones panitas!!! Que alegria!!!

Salsa: Ray Perez y Los Dementes - Gallo Gallina

They might look a bit loco but Venezuelan Salsa legend Ramon "Ray" Perez (keyboards) and his band of Dementes know how to cook up a swinging tune and Manny Bolaños, the cat with the ´fro, does an admirable job on the vocals.

Born in Barcelona in Anzoategui State in 1937, Ray Perez has had a number of bands from his first group Trio Cristal through to Ray Perez y Su Charanga, Los Calvos, Grupo Casabe, Los Kenya and of course Los Dementes, the band he brought from Maracaibo to Caracas in 1965. Ray is still going strong today.

Salsa: Orquesta Magia Caribena - Cocolia

It's been forty years since Venezuelan band leader and arranger Federico Betancourt popularized the term salsa as an umbrella term for all the Afro-Cuban rhythms from son to guaguanco on his 1967 album "Llego La Salsa".

So what better tribute to a groundbreaking album than reworking some of its best tracks with an all-star cast of singers and musicians led by Federico's son, the timbal player and band leader Federico Jr.

With Venezuelan soneros Carlin Rodriguez and Dimas Pedroza on vocals and Federico senior on guiro, the old-timers sound as fresh as they did back in the days of the Combo Latino.

Back in 1967, Federico Betancourt and his Combo Latino gave Venezuelan dancers a taste of Nuyorican salsa sounds by incorporating trumpets and trombones in the style of Eddie Palmieri's band La Perfecta.

In 2007, in recognition of Federico Betancourt's place in the pantheon of salsa legends, Puerto Rican trombone player Jimmy Bosch - the current star of the old-school salsa dura revival - agreed to play on the track "Cocolia".

It doesn't get much better than this.

A note to salsa dancers: "Llego La Salsa: Parte II" is available to order online from descarga.com


Orquesta Magia Caribena - Llego La Salsa, Parte II (De Hijo a Padre)

Track listing:
1. Cocolia
2. Señor Gallo
3. El Jaleo
4. Pao Pao
5. Dolores
6. Mi Querida Bomba
7. La Malas Lenguas
8. Federico Boogaloo
9. No Le Digan
10. La Cumbia Cucuta

Musicians:
Federico Jr. - Musical director, arrangements, timbales solo on "Cocolia"
Federico Bentancourt - Güiro on "Pao Pao"
Julio Antillano - Bass
Jesus "Menudo" Moreno - Piano
Luisito Quintero - Congas, timbal and bell
Gustavo Aranguren - Trumpet
Hector Velasquez - Trombone
Yorman "Caballo" Mendez - Conga, timbal en "Pao Pao"

Guest solos:
Jimmy Bosch - Trombone in "Cocolia" and "Las Malas Lenguas"
Enrique "Culebra" Iriarte - Piano on "Pao Pao"
Janet Trejo - Violin on "Federico Boogaloo" and "Mi Querida Bomba"
Kenny Arrieta - Accordion on "La Cumbia de Cucuta"
Prisco Oropeza - Trumpet on "Mi Querida Bomba"
Johan Munoz - Trombone on "Federico Boogaloo", "La Cumbia de Cucuta", "Señor Gallo" and "El Jaleo"

Vocals:
Orlando Jose "Watussi" Castillo - "Señor Gallo"
Carlin Rodriguez - "Pao Pao"
Angel Flores - "Mi Querida Bomba"
Edgar Dolor - "Dolores"
Dimas Pedroza - "Cocolia", "El Jaleo" and "No Le Digan"
Jorge Mendoza - "La Cumbia de Cucuta" and "Las Malas Lenguas"

By Russell Maddicks

Click here for a video of Orquesta Magia Caribena playing "Federico Boogaloo".

Click here for a video of Orquesta Magia Caribena playing "El Jaleo" from their new album "Llego La Salsa, Parte II".

CD Review - Percussion Maddness - Luisito Quintero

Venezuelan percussionist Luisito Quintero might not be a household name, but in the small world of New York's Latin music fraternity he's regarded as one of the hottest timbaleros in town.

After starting out in the Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela and a stint with salsa singer La India, Quintero learnt the finer points of Afro-Cuban drumming by playing alongside a string of Latin music legends, including Oscar D'Leon and Eddie Palmieri.

But while Quintero pays homage to his mentors on some banging tracks dedicated to the late Tito Puente and Ray Barreto, the CD as a whole carries the stamp of house DJ and producer "Li'l" Louie Vega, one half of New York duo Masters at Work.

The deep-house, acid jazz and silky bossa grooves are very much in the vein of Louie Vega's albums Nuyorican Soul and Elements of Life, both of which Quintero played on.

Vega is sometimes accused of over-producing tracks to the point of emasculation and the breathy vocal on "Our Love" by Cape Verdian singer Anane - Lil' Louie's latest squeeze - is so smooth it comes close to muzak.

But lightweight? I don't think so. A Fela Kuti number with Cameroonian singer-guitarist Francis Mbappe hits all the right Afrobeat buttons and a faithful reproduction of Ray Barreto's seminal track "Acid" is a fitting tribute.

Overall, the sheer quality of the guest turns by pianist Hilton Ruiz, flautist Nestor Torres and Venezuelan guitarist Aquiles Baez make this a treat for music fans seeking more than the typical salsa descargas on offer from many Latin combos at the moment.

Track listing:
1. Percussion Maddness
2. Tumbao
3. M'Bongi
4. Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo (feat. Francis Mbappe)
5. Aquilas Coisas Todas
6. Our Love (feat. Anane)
7. Quintero's Jam (feat. Hilton Ruiz)
8. EOL Intro (Clap Your Hands)
9. Acid
10. Four Beat Mambo
11. Son Montuno
12. Oshagriña (feat. Milton Cardona and The Aranla Chorus)
13. Love Remains The Same

To buy the album click here:



Video: Percussion Maddness - Luisito Quintero

Oscar D'Leon - Lloraras

Salsa star Oscar D'Leon is a true rags-to-riches story. He came from the poor Caracas barrio of Antimano and worked as a driver of a por puesto minibus before carving out a career as one of the greatest "soneros" of all time - up there with Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades and his role model, Beny More.

He's still making hit records. His most recent album "Fuzionando", featuring collaborations with Puerto Rican reggaeton pioneer Tego Calderon and Calle 13, won the 2007 Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Tropical Album.

In this video clip from a concert in Cali, Colombia, Oscar joins a full orchestra of top musicians from Puerto Rico and Venezuela to sing his signature tune "Lloraras". As you might gather from the title, there's quite a lot of crying involved.

Shame about Oscar's dodgy pyjamas, pero cartelua la musica!

Check out the lyrics in English:

I know that you don't want me to love you, you're always avoiding me somehow.
If I look for you over here, you pop up over there.
The only thing I want now is that you won't torture me anymore.

You will be sorry about your bad behavior, and my suffering will cost you dear.
You will cry and cry and no one will console you, and then you'll realize that it hurts when you're cheated on.

Later on you'll come asking for forgiveness, but my heart won't remember you any more.
You will cry and cry with no-one to console you, and then you'll realize that it hurts when you're cheated on.

You will cry, like I suffered, listen, you will cry, and no-one will understand you. Every bad thing you did to me, listen you will pay for it.

You will cry.

You made me suffer, now I'm the one who's laughing, now I will live my life as I wish.

I'm moving on.

You will cry.

Oscar D' Leon - Mirala

Oscar D' Leon, the Lion King of Venezuelan salsa, teams up with local boy band Zona 7 to update his sound for a new generation of reggaeton fans.

He may have lost the 'fro but he can still swing.

Latin Jazz: Gerardo Rosales - Mazacote

How come Venezuela produces such amazing percussionists? Gerardo Rosales is now based in Holland but he hasn't let the cool climate take the heat out of his blistering bongo playing. He's as comfortable with Latin jazz as straight ahead salsa dura, like his idols Ray Barretto and Mongo Santamaria. In this clip, the band keeps it simple and slow, while Gerardo impresses on bongos and tumbadoras (congas).
Originally from Caracas, Gerardo was 13 when he started taking Afro-Caribbean percussion classes with Venezuela's top player Orlando Poleo and later studied timbales with Alfredo Borregales. Since then he has worked with Paquito D'Rivera, Cuban pianist Bebo Valdez and a host of other salsa stars.
His albums include: "La Salsa es Mi Vida" (2001), "Mongomania" a tribute to Mongo Santamaria (2005), and "El Venezolano" (1991).

Salsa: Bailatino - Llego Bailatino

A proper rough-edged salsa dura track from the full lineup of Jose "Cheo" Navarro's group Bailatino, with two vocalists, two trombones and flute. This really swings. Cabilla.

Salsa: Bailatino - Lo Que Se Da No Se Quita

Percussionist Jose "Cheo" Navarro's group Bailatino show off their salsa chops in a live performance of "Lo Que Se Da No Se Quita". Listen out to Alberto Crespo's banging piano montuno. Suave.

Hip-Hop: Vagos y Maleantes - Guajira

Salsa meets hip hop in this inspired track by Vagos y Maleantes from the album Papiandeando. DJ Trece, who produced the album, joins rappers Budu and Niga at the end. All three of them acted in the movie Secuestro Express. The video is pure Latin hip hop swagger, with some nice shots of Caracas and a few Benny Hill moments thrown in for a laugh. It's a bit crackly at the start while the radio tunes in but sounds better when the song kicks in. Love this track. The video was directed by Secuestro Express writer and director Johnathon Jakubowicz.

Salsa: Magia Caribeña - Federico Boogaloo

In 1967 Federico Betancourt and his Combo Latino released the first album to use the term salsa in the title: "Llego la Salsa".

Now Federico Junior is carrying the torch for Venezuelan salsa with his group Orquesta Magia Caribeña. Sabroso...

In July 2007 the group released a mini "best of" CD entitled "Federico Boogaloo" with the following tracks:

1. Señor Gallo
2. Federico Boogaloo
3. Rosa, La Peligrosa (salsa version)
4. Hay Algo En Ti
5. Rumba Buena
6. El Amor Que Buscaba
7. Pasion Gitana
8. Yo No Se Que Me Paso
9. Quisiera
10. Te Quiero
11. Costumbres
12. Señor Gallo (radio version).

Anybody living in London can pick up a copy from Sterns Music in Warren Street.

Click here for a video of Orquesta Magia Caribena playing "Cocolia" with Jimmy Bosch.

Click here for a video of Orquesta Magia Caribena playing "El Jaleo" from their new album "Llego La Salsa, Parte II".