Descarga Boricua
Salseando DVD
DVD
(Tierrason 302185),
Released 2008;
Produced by Fran' Ferrer
Editor's Pick:
Previously released on CD, now here's the DVD! It's a fiery live performance that spotlights the singers Adalberto Santiago, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vazquez, Ray De La Paz, Tito Allen, Willie Camacho and Darvel Garcia. Good quality sound and picture. Oddly, the vocal parts by Camacho-Garcia track "Caridad" is studio footage edited into the live show. One wonders what happened to the original show footage. Aside from that track, you get what you might expect: pure fire. Below is our review of the 2-CD set, the same show, so it's mostly all applicable...
This is very big, and what a start to the new year! Descarga Boricua, the brainchild of eclectic producer Fran' Ferrer, first hit the scene in 1993 with their hugely popular and critically acclaimed ¡Esta, Sí Va! project that was, arguably, the decade's best salsa release. Descarga Boricua was more vision and concept than a specific group of musicians. Orchestra sized power salsa, top arrangements, and a ton of in-your-face swing epitomized the essence of the band. The lineup always included the best musicians from Puerto Rico as well as a ton of special guests. The band released a few other albums over the subsequent five or so years, but the amazing energy, power and finesse of ¡Esta, Sí Va! was never quite equaled. Until now. Something must have been percolating in the ten years since the last Descarga Boricua release, because Fran' Ferrer has outdone himself here. With Salseando, he summoned the Gods of Salsa to help create a blast of swing that packs more fuerza y sabor into two cds than most bands can muster in a lifetime. This live performance, recorded in San Juan in 2007, musically directed by tresero Louis Garcia, brings Fania All Star composer and pianist Larry Harlow and trombonist Jimmy Bosch into the fold. Bosch never sounded better. And, damn, the singers are good: Adalberto Santiago, Hermán Olivera, Wichie Camacho, Ray De La Paz, Frankie Vazquez, Tito Allen, Darvel Garcia y Caco Senate. You heard right. The compositions are mostly all revival classics from the songbooks of Fania, Conjunto Libre and others of that caliber. There's an eleven minute "Que Humanidad" sung to perfection by Olivera, Ray Barretto's "Fuerza Gigante" interpreted with pure fire by Ray De La Paz, Chamaco Ramirez' powerhouse "Trucutú" styled by Frankie Vazquez, Adalberto Santiago's anthem "Quitate La Mascara" as well as the Adalberto Alvarez classic "Lluvia." There is a ton of power here, and Salseando should be looked upon as DJ First Aid — the secret weapon. Some of the players are pianist Luis Marin, timbalero supreme Rafael "Tito" De Gracia, conguero William "Cachito" Thompson, trumpeter Angel "Angie " Machado (there are four trumpets, four trombones), and bassist Pedro Pérez.
Descarga Boricua is clearly Puerto Rico's answer to the Spanish Harlem Orchestra: and what a statement it is. Here's is a DJ Alert of the highest order...
Very Highly Recommended. (BP, 2008-02-01)
Song titles include:
Quitate La Mascara 4:25
El Swing 8:85
Que Humanidad 11:17
Pa' Bravo Yo 4:50
Ahi Na' Ma 6:37
Trucutú 6:15
Fuerza Gigante 5:02
Lluvia 5:28
Llanto De Cocodrillo 8:37
Guancona 7:20
Caridad 8:10
Musicians include:
Adalberto Santiago Cantante
Hermán Olivera Cantante
Ray De La Paz Cantante
Frankie Vazquez Cantante
Caco Senante Cantante
Luis Marin, Larry Harlow Piano
Tres Louis garcia
Bajo Pedro pérez
Rafael "Tito" De Gracia Timbal
William "Cachiro" Thompson Tumbadores
Charlie Sierra, Pablito Rosario Bongos
Angel "Angie" Machado, Fernando Marcano, Guillermo Calderón, Ricky Zayas Trompeta
Antonio "Toñito" Vázquez, Jorge Diaz, Danny Fuentes, Jimmy Bosch Trombones
Frankie Pérez Sax baritono y flauta
Henry Santiago Coro
Juan Bautista Martinez Coro
Wichie Camacho Coro
Darvel Garcia Coro
Category: Salsa/Son
=> Salsa
Shipping Value: 1
ORDER TL-22849.20 DVD $21.98
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