Saturday, October 16, 2010

Merengue For Ever With La Banda Gorda

La Banda Gorda is a popular Merengue group from Dominican Republic directed by José Peña Suazo.

In 1994 Suazo went on his own and formed his own group which he named "Jose Peña Suazo y la Banda Gorda", dubbed 'Banda Gorda' for short. The group's first album "Libre al fin" (Free at Last), was released on April 19, 1994.

Source: Wikipedia



Merengue For Ever!!!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Merengue For Ever Made By The New Generation

This is what the new Merengue (locally made and consumed in the DR) sounds like. This is one of the most famous singers of the Merengue called "De Calle", "Urbano", etc.

Enjoy...

Merengue For Ever!!!

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Merengue For Ever With La Banda Gorda

This is a teaser promo of the upcoming interview with Merengue artist Jose Pena Suazo, Lead Singer and Director of La Banda Gorda. (To be posted next week)

In the world of Merengue, La Banda Gorda lives up to its name: Its Merengue is Phat,and full of flava...


Monday, October 04, 2010

Merengue For Ever With Fernando Villalona

In the history of Merengue, this guy has earned a spot reserved for just a few in the showbiz arena.

Fernando Villalona represents Dominican Pride at its best.

His simplistic musical style and melodious voice, have found their way into the heart of three generations of Dominicans in the island and anywhere in the world Dominicans have migrated.

This song is titled "Corazón Salvaje", included in his 1994 album "El Niño Mimado" (The Spoiled Child).

Pure Tropical Flava.

And most definitely, it's Merengue For Ever!!!



Monday, September 27, 2010

Shakira Performs On The Letterman Show

Behold a great artist who's definitely on top of her game.

Shakira does Merengue at The Late Show with David Letterman.



Merengue For Ever!!!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Shakira Does Merengue With Flava

History continues to be made with Merengue, however, the people who created and produced this magical rhythm are the ones who profit the least from it.

Shakira has done again, this version of a popular Urban Merengue song is a hit, it's titled "Loca Con Su Tigre". This performance took place on September 17 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Her hips (once again) tell the truth: This is quite possibly the most flavorful music in the world.



Merengue For Ever!!!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Merengue For Ever Made By Aramis Camilo: 1986's "Susana"

This performance by Aramis Camilo and his band named "la Organizacion Secreta" took place on February, 1986 at the old theater called The Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The entrance was located on 33rd Street and 8th Avenue, right accross from the Post Office Building.

In the event participated around 15 bands from the Dominican Republic in an annual celebration called "El Carnaval del Merengue", produced by the Dominican impresario Jose Tejeda. All those bands were at the moment, on tour, and each and every one of them went back to the DR with excellent revenues.

Among the band personnel were many reputable musicians like Kaki Ruiz (Trumpet), Guillermo Sosa (Trombone), Lenny Camacho (Back-up singer and choreographer) and Juan Valdez (Piano and arrangements).

That was a moment when Merengue was in its best shape, dominating the airwaves and getting full houses in all night clubs in the area of NY, NJ and Connecticut. Also, in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and all of Latin America.

This song is a classic that until today, allows Aramis Camilo to capitalize on its fame and be on stage in various countries. He had lots of hits from the 80s that became a part of the Golden Years of Merengue.

He definitely contributed to making some Merengue For Ever!!!


Enjoy!



Downtown

Monday, July 19, 2010

Merengue For Ever With Michael Jackson''s Billie Jean

Merengue is quite possibly the musical style with more flexibility in terms of accepting variations from other styles and its incorporation into other rhythms.

Here's a rendition of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean we found on YouTube, it's very well put together.

The addition of Merengue elements, such as the beat and the saxophones, while simplistic, it certainly does justice to the original song since there's not much more that can be done (musically) to improve on such a masterpiece.

The video editing also enhances the entertainment value of this remix.

Enjoy!



Merengue For Ever!!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Merengue For Ever Presents: Juan Luis Guerra's "El Farolito"

Today we are in the mood to introduce this Merengue by Juan Luis Guerra.

El Maestro from the Dominican Republic has imprinted his legacy in the history of Tropical Music (Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, etc.) and we don't know how far he's gonna go, but it seems as if he's still onto bigger things beyond Merengue.

This selection is titled "El Farolito" from is 1994 album "Fogarate'.

This is a style of Merengue called "Tipico", which is actually derived from the most primitive type of Merengue which depended from the 3 basic instruments: Tambora, Guira and Accordion.

Here, Juan Luis brings an intense Merengue, really strong in its percussion, all laced with his refined arrangement and unique singing style.

The arrangement includes a great accordion execution (non-stop throughout the song) by Francisco Ulloa, one of the Dominican legends in "Merengue Tipico". At 1:55 you can enjoy what is called "Jaleo de Acordeon" (From the word "Jalar" or "To Pull"), followed by the inclusion of Saxophones, Bongo and Synthesizer.

The chorus from the 440 Band adds depth to the overall experience of listening to a Merengue of this kind.

This is certainly one of the most memorable songs in JLG's prolific career.

And of course, it qualifies as a Merengue For Ever!!!

Enjoy!



Downtown

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Rihanna - Please Don't Stop The Music (MERENGUE VERSION)

How cool is that? Most people know that Merengue is adaptable to any kind of music without losing its flava. This is a nice remix from the song "Please Don't Stop The Music" by Rihanna. It was made in the Dominican Republic.

Very refreshing song, I played it in all summer my picnics so far, and kids and adults like it.

Here it is: MERENGUE FOR EVER!!!




Pop Superstar Rihanna

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Merengue For Ever With La Gran Manzana From NYC!

In the 80s, this Merengue Band called "La Gran Manzana" (The Big Apple) introduced a Merengue style that evolved and gained fans in Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, South America and many cities in the U.S., mostly in New York.

The band was directed by pianist/arranger/singer Henry Hierro and Lead Singer Victor Roque. We remember them in all NYC night clubs looking as the most elegant and expensive-looking band of their time.

The band manager and mentor was the late impresario Leonardo Morantin. This song is titled "Mentirosa" from their 2nd album edited in 1985.

This was the 1st song from La Gran Manzana to get airplay in the DR, the one that ignited the fame they still have, even after the band went through changes and the leaders separated.


La Gran Manzana certainly made some good Merengue For Ever!!!

Enjoy:



MERENGUE FOR EVER!!!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Merengue In Saturday Night Live (The Manuel Ortiz Show)

The gifted comedian Fred Armisen is the host of The Manuel Ortiz Show, a recurrent segment in Saturday Night Live, which spoofs what happens in the TV made in the Dominican Republic.

It's easy to find many Dominican show hosts that kill lots of airtime dancing and singing during their shows.

This situation is brilliantly exploited here, in a very funny way. The reality of the situation is that no one can resist listening to Merengue without dancing to it.

Remember, everyone in The Manuel Ortiz Show is supposed to be playing a Dominican.

This is a sketch from the show that aired on NBC as a rerun on Saturday June 19, 2010.



Footage courtesy of NBC TV Network

Merengue For Ever!!!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

A Merengue Concert To Remember

This video is a freelance video report produced by Lorenzo Fenix about a great Merengue Concert held at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York on June 24, 2006. 

“Que Viva El Merengue” was one of the most memorable celebrations that took place in the old stadium used by the New York Mets, the team now plays at the modern City Field stadium, which was built next to the old one. 

Merengue Concerts have not been celebrated yet in the new stadium, which opened on Opening Day 2009.

This footage was broadcast as part of the international TV Show “Entre NY Y Quisqueya”.

Merengue is the sweetest kind of tropical music, enjoy!

 

Merengue For Ever!!!

More Merengue videos at:  http://www.youtube.com/Lorenzofenix

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Merengue For Ever In The Neighborhood

In a hot summer in NYC, Merengue music provides refreshment for kids and the police...enjoy!





Merengue For Ever!!!

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Merengue It's In The Air-Spring Has Sprung In The Bronx!

Enjoy some images of the beginning of Spring 2010 in a Bronx neighborhood.


The fragment of the instrumental song used in this short video is titled "Primavera", a hit recorded by the popular band director July Mateo a.k.a. Rasputin, it was released in the Summer of 1985.




MERENGUE FOR EVER!!!