Ay Como Me Sube.... Yes indeed:-)

A new CD came in my mailbox last week: "Ay como sube" from Martin Lehner – he is the founder of "El Zorro", a super salsa band with roots all the way from Cuba to Switzerland... Martin lives in Switzerland and received an MA in music from the Swiss Jazz School Bern in 1988, and also educated as a trombone player at the Conservatory of Winterthur, Switzerland in 1988 through 1990, and – not to forget – has studied Cuban music in Havana from 1996 – 2002... That sure makes up for a solid musical base. He played in a number of bands / big bands, is a composer, an arranger, and a songwriter… and probably most importantly, he is a trombone player… ;-) El Zorro already released three CDs - La Vida Entera (2002), which is available on iTunes ( click here) - Somos Hermanos (2005), also available on iTunes ( click here)- Volando (2006), also available on iTunes ( click here). The latter was also reviewed on our site by Estilo, check it out here: LINK – I personally have a soft spot for Somos Hermanos, and the title track is still played a lot at times – whenever I do, some dancer comes over and tells me: That’s a damn good song – who is it? That has to be the main tribute to Martin :-) but then again, it IS an Evergreen. Anyway, I am not supposed to be reviewing the old CD again now, but the newest one, Ay como me sube – What a title ;-) and yes, one must admit it does – it really does turn you on. Martin invited Mayito (SMILE), Angel Bonne (ex-Van Van), and Roberto Pulido Gonzales back in the studio once again – which only upgrades the CD further. The musical mix of the CD is nice – it has cool timba songs and ballads which combine to a CD that can be left in the CD player all day without tiring you of its "sound" – I especially enjoy hearing Mayito’s voice clearly on Sabes Que… without too much extraneous sound… but with a soft backing group and the trombones so characteristic to El Zorro – this track is not well suited for the salsateca – but never mind, it’s a winner here on my home stereo.
In terms of genres, the CD ranges from a club mix of Ay, como me sube through pop to the grooviest merentimba track - (merengue timba? – HELP ME MARTIN :-) with a lot of action. Presently, my favourite is definitely El Fenomeno and Cauranta Y Seis - 2 excellent timba tracks with funky beats to them.
It’s very good produced and arranged CD. I would like to have had a track with Yeisel Gonzales Santana singing lead vocal – it sounds like she could sing most people to their knees. But a very nice touch to have a female backing singer – we don’t hear that too often. Perhaps a solo might find its way onto El Zorro’s next CD – which I am 100% certain will come out later - Martin needs to express himself, and all the rest of us get to enjoy it (maybe you, Martin, should get in touch with Vitaly Osmachko – damn, the two of you might bring out something very exceptional together – unless the proverb about “too many chefs…” is also valid in this context. But when it works in Cuba, the thing about everybody helping out and contributing here and there and everywhere – then why not here – you DO live rather close to each other, after all – I would be very eager to set up a playtime date for the two of you ;-) Martin, thank you for the CD – I look forward to experiencing you live one day – perhaps your path bring you by Denmark one day.
Check YouTube for a re-mix of Ay como me sube… and check out the band website here or listen to the CD's here

Other great news.....

Jorge Cordero - Reflexiones
Over Christmas I received the new Jorge Cordero CD in my mailbox…
I spent Christmas – and ehhh Spring (DAMN PC) – listening through a pile of CDs. One of them was Reflexion from Cordero y su team latino… During the first listening, I fell for "Extrano Tu Cuerpo", the second track on the CD – cool track and an exceptional female vocalist. She gives everything and comes across with a powerful and clear voice – which many must envy her.

This track is probably also the most timba-like on the CD – it moves the dance floor (have played it quite a few times) – the other tracks are slightly more laid back and more mainstream – not that it matters – but not such a surprise either. Sound-wise, it’s a good release – it has the somewhat special Cordero sound – light and crisp and slightly "flat" in a good way. There is room for both the hardcore and the softer, “poppier” salsa beats. I might have wished for a REALLY hot cha-cha-cha like the ones I know Cordero may deliver – saw them live once, when they played quite a few cha-cha’s. EXCELLENT concert, it was back when I had only just worn in my first pair of dancing shoes :-)… I no longer remember its venue, just that it was a splendid experience – I DO love the cha-cha-cha :-) But okay – this release is also good without it – definitely – and I look forward to hearing it live. But will "Annet " join you?? DAMN, whe great, Cordero… DAMN… The CD is on sale at cdshoppen here, or you may pick it up from me, when I am out playing. If you want to sample the CD, you may do so here, where you may also find samples from some of the many CDs, Cordero has released or contributed to :) Enjoy… Might we look forward to a live performance in the near future?

New blog for Timba Freaks… Planet Timba . Check out this blog with the newest from all over the world all in one blog compiled by Franz Gamarra – A Peruvian in London whose heart is lost to the world of TIMBA. Franz still has his first visit to Cuba ahead of him, but I wish he’ll get there before long ;-) Until then he will have to collect news of timba and the like from around the world and post it to the blog. If you have any news or inside scoops, I am sure he would love to hear from you. If you have a Facebook profile, you may also add the “Planet Timba”-application to stay updated on the latest news – clever, eh :-) Find the application on my profile (Salsani Salsa-dj.dk) or on Franz Gamarra's profile…