International music reviews

Its futile to argue about the merits of the music, its undeniable. The only thing I can add is that this particular compilation was materfully remastered especially in comparison to the 100 Canciones series which sounds hollow, distant & unbalanced.

Discutir los meritos de esta musica es un ejercio en la necedad, simplemente no se puede negar. Lo unico que puedo anadir es que esta compilacion, en particular, fue digitalizada brillantemente...particularmente en comparasion al la quadruple 100 Canciones que suena hueca, distante y sin balance.

In "La Enorme Distancia", the distance referred to is not pysical or geographical, it is EMOTIONAL-in "No Me Amenazes", the singer is NOT begging his lover to leave, but for her to STOP THREATENING to leave him-as the title says, for he cannot stand the emotional uncertainty anymore. Otherwise, I enjoyed your review.

Add a star to the rating on this collection of "greatest hits." Probably every one of El Rey's most popular recordings on one double disc. This is the quintessential CD for lovers of ranchera music penned and performed by El Rey. Although I own most of these recordings in original vynyl it is handy to have them on CD. All the songs are written by El Rey and performed with the godfather of all Mariachi's, El Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan with arrangements and direction by el maestro Ruben Fuentes. There are classic songs of love like "Ameneci en tus brazos,""Un mundo raro,""Cuando vives con migo," and his great tribute song "Paloma querida." There are songs of many loves like "El siete mares" where he sings of having a woman in every port, of heartbreak as in "La Enorma Distancia" where he longs for his lover who is miles away and "No me amenaces," where he practically cries telling his lover to leave "pero no se ha ido." There are various Serenatas and songs that are about the pride of being Mexican but they have an appeal that is universal. Some songs may be considered by some to be "tears in your beer" music but El Rey has a way of making even the saddest of stories uplifting, it appeals to the macho in all males. Not one loser here just winners. My only complaint is that "El 15 de Septiembre" is missing. Also missing is the heartfelt "Gracias," his tribute song to all his fans, if you've never heard it you're missing something. He's written so many songs though that it is understandable. This is a superb disc that will get countless play from ranchera lovers. The accompanying booklet is brief but informative. Ranchera music never gets old and although Jose Alfredo Jimenez has long ago passed through this world his legacy lives on for new generations to discover and those familiar to savor. Fittingly enough the CD ends with "El Rey", Jose Alfredo Jimenez "sige siendo el rey."

Mercedes Sosa (1935) is one of the greatest Argentinean folk singer!
She jumped to public attention when she was only fifteen years old winning a singer's radio contest. From that point on she continues growing up as a notorious figure in the folk singers medium.
Due to difficult political situation at Argentina she was forced into exile by military Junta.
She made a triumphant and defiant return early in 1982 with a series of live concerts at Opera Theater. From those recitals this outstanding CD was recorded!

The songs of this CD reflect not only Argentinean music but a wide Latin American repertoire, collected by Mercedes in her forced errand.
"Sue�o con Serpientes" authored by Cuban Silvio Rodriguez presents the struggle between the Poet & the Serpent in a dream like language. Mercedes' voice reaches very high notes singing this song.
"Maria, Maria" authored by Brazilians Milton Nascimento & Fernando Brant, with unmistakable afro rhythm is interpreted brilliantly by Sosa.
Chilean composer Violeta Parra contributes with two top notch compositions: "Gracias a la Vida" sang fervently by all the audience and "Volver a los 17" are delivered with Mercedes giving way to all her sentiment.
"La Arenosa" whose text is authored by Manuel J. Castilla and music composed by Cuchi Leguizamon, two well known folklorists, is a composition more in line with Mercedes' traditional collection.
Finally Mercedes Sosa incursion in Argentinean Rock with Charly Garcia's "Cuando Ya me Empiece a Quedar Solo" and Argentinean Tango with Cobian & Cadicamo's "Los Mareados".
Two big hits to close the CD "Polleritas", traditional motif, sang with unquenchable fire and Isella's "Cancion con Todos" driving the audience absolutely mad!

You shouldn't miss this gem by all means!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

No pierdan tiempo y compren este CD. Es buen�simo, una selecci�n de canciones que me d� ganas de haber estado en ese concierto....que pena! Pero gracias que hay este CD, que es hermoso como pocos podr�n ser. Y Mercedes estaba fant�stica, en lo mejor de su talento e inspiraci�

It is probably impossible to find new words to praise Mercedes Sosa's voice and place in Argentina's popular music. Through the better part of the last forty years, Mercedes has been the tender and fierce voice of everyone who has been suppressed and quieted by injustice, in Latin America. An exquisite tone and profound interpretation of each song she's chosen to sing has made her a goddess in Latin America and Europe.
Here's a true artist and a committed citizen, singing songs that make no concessions to their beauty nor their message.
This CD is probably her best in many levels, her choices here, cover every song she's made a classic, and the fact this concert marked her return to Buenos Aires -after her exile during the years of Argentina's "infamous decade"- proves that courage must exist closely to creativity to be timeless.
Here you'll find some of the best work from Latin America: Como La Cigarra (Maria Elena Walsh), Solo Le Pido A Dios (Leon Gieco), Sue�o Con Serpientes (Milton Nascimento), and many more great renditions of the best composers from the South of America.
William Carlos Williams said that "there are no news in poetry / yet people die, miserably, / from the lack of what is found there." Well, here is some of that poetry, which I know nourished me and so many others, during some of the worst moments of our beleaguered country.
Five starts because I could not give it ten!

I'm not as fanatical about this album as most Harem Scarem fans. I like it, but I don't think it's their #1 album. "No Justice" and "Saviours Never Cry" are excellent bonecrushing rockers and alone are worth buying this CD.

i picked this up after reading reviews posted here. ya know, it's really hard in the good ole usa to get exposed to music that has what i need to get off. that being:1.really good lead and back-up vocals 2.great musicianship 3.well written songs. this one has all of the above. the guitar work is brutal, harmony vocals as good as you've ever heard, and the production is grade A. i'll never understand why a band of this caliber doesn't get promotion and airplay in the states. you really need this one.

Simply put, Harem Scarem is a phenomenal band who can do no wrong when it comes to creating hard-rocking, catchy, stylistically diverse rock music. This is melodic rock refined by some of the greatest songwriters in ANY genre, and to top it off, the band is absolutely on fire. Listen to Harry Hess' amazing vocals on "If There Was A Time" - and he says he was singing with a cold that day! Or Pete Lesperance's smoldering guitar work on closing track "Had Enough" - brilliant. From start to finish, this is an unapologetic rocker through and through, but is so melodic and jam-packed with great choruses and guitar riffs you won't be able to get it out of your head for months. I just discovered this a few years ago, and boy am I glad I did. Fans of Def Leppard, Extreme, Whitesnake, Hardline, Journey, Van Halen, Queen, and pretty much ANY melodic hard rock will find a lot to enjoy here. Tracks range from Leppard-style arena anthems like "Stranger Than Love" to bluesy rips like "Jealousy", all the way to the acapella "Just Like I Planned" (my least favorite track, but still really good) and the slamming "Saviors Never Cry". It's all over the map but still retains that melodic core. Two thumbs wayyy up for this classic record.

Best Tracks:
"Stranger Than Love" - One of the best choruses I've ever heard in my life. Nothing too intricate, just a great slab of melodic songwriting and the obligatory awesome solo.
"Change Comes Around" - Probably the heaviest track here, this one could go toe-to-toe with the Crue or Scorpions or any of the other "heavy" melodic rock bands. Great anthemic outro too.
"Jealousy" - Bluesy, great vocals by Harry Hess. This track smokes from start to finish but still has that hit-potential.
"Sentimental Boulevard" - Should have been a #1 smash! Check out that great chorus, and again great guitar work. Sung by drummer Darren Smith.
"Mandy" - Soothing, note perfect guitar instrumental that keeps the album flowing seamlessly.
"If There Was A Time" - Incredible vocals, amazing guitar solo, and a chorus to die for. Spiritual, hooky, original - there's so much to say about this awesome tune. One of my all-time favorite Harem Scarem tracks.

This is such a truly fabulous cd.

I was introduced to Chris Burton by being fortunate enough to walk into a tapas restaurant one night seeing him play live. Listening to his music and watching the flamenco dancers that accompianed him, I was awe struck. Enjoying it so much, my husband and I went back the following week to watch and hear them one again. This time I was lucky enough to meet Chris and purchase both of his cd's. They are both masterpieces, but I have to say, track 1 from this cd is truly my favorite of all.

Please, do yourself a favor...buy this cd. You will not regret it!

Ole'!

I must admit that I fell upon this cd by complete chance or shall I say luck. Into a small cd shop in Pasadena I walked. There was the most beautiful brunette in the back of the shop. She had long hair pulled up off her shoulders. She was listening to a music station that was labeled World Beat. So entranced by her beauty was I that I picked up the headphones beside her to a music station labeled Flamenco. I hit play not realizing what I would be listening to. This cd came up! As the first song started to play, I still was captured by this beautiful woman, hoping that she would glance in my direction. Before I realized it, I was drifting to the chords of a guitar coming from the headphones. I momentarily forgot about the woman who, by chance, led me to listen to this cd, and concentrated on the music itself. I looked at the disc number that was playing and then found the cd on the wall in front of me. I picked it up to look at it and discovered that the brunette now had her boyfriend next to her. So I owe her a debt of graditude for showing me, inadvertently, this cd. It truely was a wonderful find, in many ways. Each song has a great sound to it. This is a very romantic cd that I wish I could have shared with the beautiful brunette. And so I dedicate track number 8 to her: La Noche Y Su Amante (The Night And Her Lover). To the beautiful brunette, where ever you may be! This cd will always hold a special memory of you for me.

Does the words "absolutely amazing" even come close? ...I THINK NOT! When it comes to music, this CD is in my "must have" category. Chris creates an explosion as he and his talent flows through my speakers and fills the room with an array of unbelievable sound. If you listen hard enough, you can actually feel the room come alive as his music plays. This collection of Jacome's work proves his overwhelming diversified talent and emotional love for his work. You must get this CD!

If you are a fan of reggae and jazz , are also Spanish speaking than you will undoubedly love this disc. Los Pericos have set the standard by which other groups have had to meet in order to be dubbed the best Latin American reggae band. It is not just the smooth vocals set forth by lead singer Bahaino that seperate them from the rest; it is the total package, the arrangements, the accompanying musicianship of the other seven members and the choice of songs. On this disc Los Pericos expand their horizons incorporating other instruments like violins, cellos, sitar, and many reed instruments including fluglehorn, trombones, trumpets, flute, baritone and tenor saxes. The result is a multi layered sound beyond the basics leaning towards the jazzy spectrum of reggae. They perform an interesting version of the Toots Hibbert , of Toots and The Maytals fame, song entitled "Monkey Man" in which they sing in English for a raucous jazzy interpretation. Although technically they are a reggae band they have strands of jazz elements running everywhere thoughout this disc. The music also has pop qualities, similar to say, a band like UB40. There is a certain sweetness to their music. It is that happy kind of music where you can forget the problems that may exist and sing along to the music. Another interesting song is "Ska Tijuana" that begins with a sort of retro sound that reminds you of the best works of bands like Madness or The Specials that introduced many to ska on the first checkered, two tone, black and white wave. A purely instrumental groove is established by the guitar and garage band drums beat for a fun song that is offset by saxes droping in and out. "Rata China" begins sounding like some type of old jazz number with guitar licks that could pass for Wes Montgomery. The song is another pure instrumental that sounds like a blast from the past complimented by flute and sax for an unusual entry on this "reggae" disc. There are two tracks written by P. Kendrick Randolph, "El Mejor Lugar"(Don't stay out late) and "Golden Love." Of the two, "Golden Love" is probably best and fits the formula best for a rock steady based album. "Monaco G.P." is a beautiful jazzy number complete with vibes and flugelhorn set to a back beat for one of those put your convertible top down and cruise with the breeze in your hair beside the ocean malecon(boardwalk) type of songs. The Curtis Mayfield composition "Keep On Moving" sounds very much like Bob Marley when Bahaino sings in English and is a stripped down number with only accoustic guitar accompanyment. His vocals move freely from Spanish to English throughout the song for a song that sounds quite free form. A different Los Pericos CD is the end result , with more jazzy overtones but nonetheless it is still very good though not as straight ahead reggae. The booklet has plenty of photographs of the members, some art work but no lyrics. The total recording time is 66:46 for your listening pleasure.

G-R-E-E-E-E-E-E-A-T audio cd!!! i'f you're a fan u got to have this. bad ... spanish reggae for you to get your groove on. just love it, love it, love it. ...

The best latin record of the "99.If you like reggae,latin,world beat music this is for you.

This cd is totally fun to listen to. My favorite song is "Garota Nacional." Skank is one of the coolest bands.

A must album for anybody who likes to dance. The whole CD is just full of great songs like "� Uma Partida de Futebol," "Garota Nacional," "T�o Seu," and "Samba Pacon�." They just keep outdoing themselves with every album.

I was amazed to see this CD at such a low price. Itis WELL worth it! The CD cover might look a little risque but it has nothing to do with the content........love these guys!

Excelente producci?n musical. Muy buen estilo de m?sica, genial. El mejor cantante moderno peruano de los ?ltimos a?os. Siempre est? produciendo temas que pegan mucho. Letras simples, reales y muy profundas.

La mejor produccion Peruana en cuanto a sonido, musica y letras se refiere. Un disco atrevido, divertido y que hace saltar a mas de uno/una. Felicito la madurez de la composicion y la fuerza del rock que nos trae Pedro en este disco que de hecho se va a unir a otros artistas nacionales como clasicos del buen Rock del Peru (La cancion "Me estoy enemorando" sono tanto en Chile que los Peruanos nos sentimos muy orgullosos). Canciones completas que realsan la buena etapa de este joven compositor. Sigue adelante Pedro, muchos exitos.

La mejor produccion Peruana en cuanto a sonido, musica y letras se refiere. Un disco atrevido, divertido y que hace saltar a mas de uno/una. Felicito la madurez de la composicion y la fuerza del rock que nos trae Pedro en este disco que de hecho se va a unir a otros artistas nacionales como clasicos del buen Rock del Peru (La cancion "Me estoy enemorando" sono tanto en Chile que los Peruanos nos sentimos muy orgullosos). Canciones completas que realsan la buena etapa de este joven compositor. Sigue adelante Pedro, muchos exitos.

Here's a CD that I never tire of listening to. Their style is great and they have harmony down pat. This is a CD that you can put on at a party and everyone will enjoy it. They deserve more recognition that what they get (not everyone loves N'Sync and Backstreet Boys). It's a keeper!

I got a CD-R that has some mid-slow music including "Purest of Pain" from a friend of mine when I left the Philippines after 2 years of stay there. I loved this song and listened to it over and over when I missed that tropical country and the people there that I loved so much, but the problem was that I had no idea what the title of this song was. 2 months ago when I found it out by chance, I bought the CD immediately, and all the songs there were great!! Good for a party, relaxing evening, dull afternoon, and Purest of Pain is also good for slow Rumba(latin ballroom dancing).

�Si te gusta la salsa, compre este disco compacto! �Es lo mejor, el grupo Son by Four es de puta madre!

Un excelente CD lo unico malo es que es muy corto y uno queda iniciado

To call them a Latin Rock band (quoting Rolling Stone magazine) doesn't do them half the musical justice they deserve. In an age where it's not unlikely to see extreme blends of styles, Panama-based Los Rabanes is a trio that blends in an exquisite and extremely contagious way the sounds of Punk, Power Rock, Calypso, Reggae, Ska, Hip Hop, Merengue, House and Salsa, bringing back to mind the legendary Argentinian band, Fabulosos Cadillacs with Spanglish lyrics.

In this self-titled release recorded in Miami, with Roberto Blades (Ruben's yoonger brother) and Emilio Estefan Jr. in the producer's seats, Los Rabanes create a unique stadium-like party environment that will get anyone with half an ear to listen and a leg to move, jumping into the dance floor in a few beats! It's virtually impossible to come up with a fave song. The entire album is highly danceable and a "rumba" from end to end!

Check out this album! It's so contagious, you will never get tired listening to the lyrics. Go, go Rabanes!

Randy Crawford lets loose on this recording and that is a welcomed suprise. From the gripping "I stand accused" to the sad ballad "Nobody" you'll find her in great form and power! This soulful release will have you begging for more. At 11 songs it is simply not enough.

Another standout is the optimistic and upbeat "Declaration of love". Randy is known for being a subtle vocalist at times, but she lets it all hang out on the wrenching "Blue mood" and bitter "I hope you'll be very unhappy without me".

The true gem is her version of Marvin Gaye's "Just to keep you satisfied". What starts out as a low key romantic pleading Randy Crawford turns into a soulful mourn. This gives the original a run for its money. She stays true to the arrangement but gives it a female twist that cannot be rivaled. Well done!

Whenever I compile a list of all-time favorite albums, this one is on it. Randy's vocals, song selection and the musicianship are flawless. I had been a fan of Randy Crawford from her first solo LP, with "Everything Must Change" and more, but this lp still stands as one I can play all of the time. She never oversings yet lets loose and rips into the meat of a song. "I Satnd Accused" is along the lines of Etta James. "Newborn Child" is superb lyric and beautifully understated vocals. Her cover of Marvin's "Just To Keep You Satisified" just blows me away- Wait for the 2nd time she rips into (oh, so subtly) the phrase "I could never love nobody like I love you baby". There aren't many albums that I recommend totally, but this is most defeintely one!!!!

I first discovered Randy while listening to Hackett's 'Please don't touch', she was featured on one track. I was truly amazed by her voice. Then I dug out her own discography and IMHO her first effort is an anthology. The music is soul, jazz-rock oriented and the vocals are sublime. Randy began singing in a church, and the gospel-like intonation of her voice is patent here. If you like pop with a jazz inflexion, say in the style of earlier TOTO or Steely Dan, it will a pleasure for you to listen to this fantastic record.