International music reviews

SINCE I WAS 12 IN 1958, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING LOS TRES ASES WONDERFUL MUSIC. LATER ON MARCO ANTONIO LEFT ON HIS OWN 1964, HIS VOICE MATURED BUT I STILL LIKE HIS EARLY DAYS WITH THE TRIO BEST. 5 STARS FOR SURE.

Their vocalizing is perfect, their harmony is modern...far ahead of Trio Los Panchos. They are truly the romantic trio of their time. Their musicianship is absolutely top notch. For those who love romantic music of the first order....this is the one. The faster folkloric songs are among the best ever recorded. For those who do not speak Spanish, the melodies and guitarwork are worth the price itself. Los Tres Ases are a timeless example of the best of Latin American music.

One thing for sure can be said of the Best Trio Ever, "They were ahead of their time". I am 37 years old and I have been listening to Los Tres Ases all of my life. My uncle Ray has been a 3rd voice/rhythm guitar player ever since this music was released in the 1950's. My father taught me how to play the guitar, so I was able to acquire some of my Mexican "culture". Since the age of 5, I have always been drawn by the guitar chords by Neri and Gonzalez and the Lead voice of Muniz. I have not had the ability to play steady in a Trio for the simple fact that there are no elements for that style of music in Santa Maria, let alone elements my age. However, I do have their music, which will always be a part of me. There were other albums, by Los Tres Ases that I wish would be re-released on CD. The albums are: "Siempre Junto A Ti", "Los Tres Ases-1961", "Las Canciones Que Mas Nos Piden" and "Los Tres Ases-El Trio De Los Enamorados". This music will live on forever.

Ernie Flores
Santa Maria, CA

"Abrazame" es sin duda el mejor disco de la merenguera boricua Ashley. Sus producciones anteriores fueron buenas, pero esta es la mejor. Tiene mejores arreglos y excelentes temas. Este disco fue produccido por Luis A. Cruz y por el gran Guillermo Torres, lider del grupo Kaos y productor musical de Lourdes Robles. Los mejores temas de este disco lo son "Si tu me llevas contigo" (escrita por Oscar Serrano, de Grupo Mania), "Abrazame" (escrita por Luis A. Cruz), "Me gusta bailar" (escrita por Wester Hernandez) y "Te Fuistes" (escrita por Elvis Crespo). Este es un excelente disco de merengue bomba. Para bailadores o solo para escucharlo. El mejor CD de La chica Bomba!, Ashley. Tambien recomiendo los siguientes CD's: "Pasional" de Jessica Cristina, "Grupomania 2050" de Grupo Mania, "Wow Flash!" de Elvis Crespo, "Estoy Buscando" de Beverly, y "Con la musica por dentro" de Tonny Tun Tun.

LA MEJOR MERENGUERA DEL MOMENTO CON SU RITMO BOMBA--SU TERCERA PRODUCCION --ABRAZAME--ALBUM COMPLETO,CON CANCIONES COMO,AQUI SI HAY,BELLO,EL NENE DE LA ESCUELA, UNA RAZON PARA COMPRAR ESTE CD--DEFINITIVAMENTE--AQUI SI HAY! CHECK OUT ALL OF HER PREVIOUS ALBUMS,YO SOY LA BOMBA,YO SOY LA REINA AND THE NEW RELEASE SABOR A DULCE--WITH THE REMAKE OF IRIS CHACON, TU BOQUITA----ASHLEY PA'MUCHO TIEMPO!

HOLA HE ESCUCHADO ESTE TRABAJO DE ASHLEY Y NO CREO EQUIVOCARME AL DECIR QUE ES LA MEJOR CON BASTANTE RITMO Y ARPEGIOS MUSICALES LIMPIOS QUE HACEN DE SU TRABAJO NADA MAS NI NADA MENOS QUE EL NEJOR SIGUE ELLA EN SU LINEA MUSICAL Y CREO QUE TIENE PARA REGALARNOS MUCHO MAS Y BUENO AQUI SI HAY!

I had listened to Adalb�rto Alvarez in various "collection" CDs and decided to buy this and the companion "Jug�ndo con Cand�la" based on the recommendations of the previous reviewers. I agree with the other write-ups, these are excellent and indeed makes anybody want to dance - not really feasible at work but nonetheless.... I grew up in Cuba and have a large CD collection, however these two really shine. I particularly like the last cut on this one, �Y Qu� Tu Qui�res Que Te D�n? and "A Bail�r El Toca Toca" on the other one, howerer there is hardly a bad cut in either.

This cd is great for dancing although like most Cuban music it may be a little to complex in rhythm for beginners but for experienced Salsa dancers this is great. Also a great cd for listerning for those of you who do not dance.

I have been listening to Adalberto Alvarez since I was born. He's a complete musician and this album has his best songs.Including Homenaje a Matamoros which is a mix of his best songs. I hope you enjoy it

short and straight to the point. this is a fine example of they
don't do it like they used to. the cd is high energy and displays
true artistic talent,unlike todays programed two beat musicians,
performers??? what can you call them?? lenny white,stanley and
the crew know how to hit a nerve!!!!!!

one of the ten best fusion albums of all time . this is where buckethead must have gotten the theme for monsters & robots .if you dont have buy it , if you have it .....youre lucky !

One of Lenny's greatest albums especially for drumming. The chops were imitated by countless drummers. Assault is probably his greatest solo ever put on wax. Great contributions from Donald Blackmon, his Universal Love is unbelievable. Lenny carried the tradition of Tony Williams by doing fusion his way and not by imitating others. Lenny's next album Streamline is even better which was also released in 1978 which emphasized great songwriting and great drumming. Lenny will always be respected as one the greatest drummers ever.

**Update** This review was based upon the vinyl version. I recently got the CD version and it seems like the vinyl sounds a whole lot better. This is probably due to the aging of the masters. In the tune Universal Love the song fades in from the beginning on the vinyl for dynamic impact but on the CD its gone. Looks like they just compressed the whole album during digital transfer which makes the CD sound kinda muffled.
But on the CD version you can hear the background noises a little clearer than the vinyl (especially on Heavy Metal Monster). So if you never bought this album I would try and find the vinyl first for the dynamics and emotional impact.

~Paul M~

i have a lot of pointless bj�rk remix singles. this is DEFINITELY not one of them. along with having one of the best lyrics ever written, the majority of the alarm call remixes are super super good. this is my favorite alarm call cd, and it reeks of so much ecstatic exuberance that i can barely contain myself. if i had to limit myself to buying *just* one alarm call cd, this would definitely be it. well worth the 11+ dollars to have it.

This is one of Bjork's best remixes. Mark Bell takes this first track and adds some great beats, a fun sample of her voice, a soaring, catchy and off beat keyboard sample and serves us all Bjork's steaming, hot Potage Du Jour. I've heard this remix played on vinyl at some techno/house shindigs before and it's playful, quick pace infects dancefloors. It is the highlight of the cd but one you'll hit the repeat button for. Track number two is more housey than Potage, but it still is good. The beat arrangement is tight with some good samples before you get to the heart of the song lyrics. You'll feel like a hug before the cd is done playing. Track number three is the instrumental of the second one and is worth listening to. It is really catchy and if you dig Bjork, Mark Bell, house or techno, you'll find this little yellow cd in your rotation. Enjoy.

simply cool

He absolutely, occupies a place among the greatest mexican singers.
But, as far as voice, next to his father and Javier Solis, he is the greatest.
Even his father (whose music and style I love) does not keep his voice as high in the long notes.
I happened to attend to a live performance of his.
He can easily keep up with Andrea Bochelli.
I make this comparison because people who appreciate real mexican music expect high notes as those in opera; a feat very difficult to achive.

From the first few notes of "Todo Termino", the world had a new star in its musical firmament. At 21, the power and maturity of his voice is extraordinary, the only clue to his youth is the cute guy on the cover. These are all beautiful rancheras, and "Cuando Yo Queria Ser Grande" by Manuel Monterrosas, about a parent grown old, is one of the most touching songs I've ever heard...you'll weep salty tears as I did. The final track, "Que Pregunta Muchacho", is a duet with his father, the legendary Vicente. Though this is the only recording of his that doesn't contain lyrics in a booklet, his enunciation is so perfect you won't miss a word. This CD is also available as part of a terrific set, "Mis Primeros Exitos", which contains his first 3 CDs, individually wrapped, and in a nice box. I really recommend getting the set, you'll love them all !

I thought for his first release album it was great. His seemed to capture alot of people.

Brandy is my favorite singer and I just love her songs my very favorite is "ALMOST DOESN'T COUNT".

Brandy's song is the bomb it is such a deep down considerate song that describes a relationship.

I love every song Brandy has ever made. They really get you thinking about that certain someone. I can listen to any of Brandy's cds anytime. I am one of her biggest fans!

Wow after listening to this album i have to say that it is one of the best i have listened to in a while. I bought this album on hearing reviews from others who have purchased this and im glad i did now. From the moment the album opens with Amandote you know you are in for something. Stand out tracks include Tu Amor and Jamas llorare por ti which has a cool beat to it. All in all a great 1st solo album well done Alessandra and heres to more great projects from you.

I honestly didnt except this album to be as great as is was. This is the first and only album of hers i have heard, and it is great!!

I Love this album! Alessandra has a great voice. She's also a terrific actress. I have nothing but the deepest respect for her.

Este C.D es muy bueno, tiene musica de muchos tipos; cumbias, balladas, y nortenas. Los tucanes de tijuana venden mucho porque hacen musica de calidad. ademas, el cantante es muy guapo!!

Querio decirles que no me gusta la banda pero los tucanes me encantan! Yo los mire en concierto en Wenatchee wa y subi al ecenario y le di un beso al que canta! por sieto tambien nos tomamos una foto mi hermana y yo. Los queremos mucho por Wenatchee wa... sigan sacando mas musica!!!!!!!!!!!!

Los Tucanes siempre an sido los mejores del mundo. Tantos CDS que tienen y todos los CDs an pegado.

I grew up listening to this music. Siempre la escuchaba en mi casa pero Lupillo adds that little extra something that makes me like aun mas. I recommend this a todos. Echale ganas Lupillo ke todos te keremos!!!

I just bought this cd about a month ago and it is the best que ha sacado so far. Mi favorite song es la de "te Solte La Rienda", y tambien queria decir que Lupillo canta really nice y que es #1 en musica nortena.

THIS ALBUM REALLY TOUCHED MY HEART BECAUSE LUPILLO SINGS ALOT OF THE SONGS THAT MY DAD AND GRANDDAD USED TO SING TO ME WHEN I WAS JUST A KIDDO. I GREW UP LISTENING TO THIS KIND OF MUSIC AND LUPILLO ADDS THAT EXTRA SPECIAL TOUCH TO EVERYTHING HE DOES. AS ALWAYS, KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK AND KEEP YOU R HEAD UP. D.L.N.O.G.Y.D. TE QUIERO!