Sunday, March 10, 2013
CARLOS DAVID CON BONNY CEPEDA - ME GUSTA DE TI (1984)
This song was made in the early 80s by Bonny Cepeda and his band, the singer is Carlos David. Its musical arrangement was part of Merengue's juggernaut in its so called "Golden Decade". Note the Dixieland-like mambos achieved by Bonny.
Carlos David is still active as a band leader and surprisingly, seems to keep all his vocal abilities intact.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Alex Bueno: A Bona Fide Merengue Hitmaker
For some, Alex Bueno is arguably one of the the best Merengue Singers in the history of this music.
He's known for saving lots of time in the recording studio due to his ability to get most songs perfect in his first attempt.
This song titled "Sin Ti No Soy Nada", is one of his many hits throughout the 80s and 90s decades.
He's currently active with his band and still manages to sing just like he did more than 30 years ago when he started as back up singer in Fernando Villalona's band.
He's known for saving lots of time in the recording studio due to his ability to get most songs perfect in his first attempt.
This song titled "Sin Ti No Soy Nada", is one of his many hits throughout the 80s and 90s decades.
He's currently active with his band and still manages to sing just like he did more than 30 years ago when he started as back up singer in Fernando Villalona's band.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Merengue Has A Diva Named Myriam Cruz
Myriam Cruz is a household name for all Dominicans at home and abroad. She used to be the lead singer for the successful All-Girl band "Las Chican" during the 80s and 90s.
Her current band is under the direction of keyboardist Henry Jimenez (The Homeboy), who has a long history of success in his resume..
Myriam Cruz has modernized today's Merengue in every possible way, as evidenced in this recent TV appearance (2-11-13).
Monday, February 11, 2013
Dissecting Merengue: Bonny Cepeda & His Super Hit "Asesina"
Here is a popular masterpiece made by Bonny Cepeda titled Asesina.
The song was released in the summer 0f 1986.
Asesina: a one-of-a-kind Merengue performed and arranged by Bonny Cepeda a.k.a El Maestro Joven (The Young Master).
He earned this nickname because of his brilliance, old Merengueros were quick to recognize his talent and peculiar style.
Note the nice intro sung in English and Spanish, something not many have done successfully like Bonny. In the world of Merengue, that is.
The musical arrangement is unconventional since at the time Dominican merengueros were not using synthetizers as skillfully as Bonny Cepeda.
He's also the lead singer in this piece, his brother Richie helped in the chorus, as usual.
These two brothers were practically inseparable, they were a winning formula in music-making.
The mambos and overall music for this song make it memorable because this guy really crafted a good product which had a nice welcome by the industry and the people.
He became extremely popular and received a lot of airplay in DR, PR, the U.S. Central, South America and Europe.
Bonny Cepeda is a legend in the history of Merengue, his contributions have been invaluable, many other singers and band directors relied on him for arrangements that helped many Merengue songs become hits in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Among them we count Fernando Villalona, Wilfrido Vargas, Los Kenton, etc.
Merengue For Ever salutes Bonny Cepeda and recognizes his talent and the enduring quality of his work.
Listen to this song and enjoy!
Asesina, by Bonny Cepeda
MERENGUE FOR EVER!!!
Downtown
Monday, February 04, 2013
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Ramón Orlando Opina Acerca Del Merengue De Hoy
El maestro Ramón Orlando reconoció que el ritmo dominicano no se encuentra en su mejor momento, y que lo que le ha faltado al merengue de esta época, es que hayan verdaderos músicos de estudios que sean arreglistas.
Ramón, quien es un destacado arreglista musical y sobre cuyos hombros ha descansado una parte importante de los éxitos de merengue y salsa hechas en la RD, lamenta que en estos tiempos la juventud no quiera prepararse y estudiar 12 años de música.
Suponemos que cuando habla de verdaderos arreglistas, se refiere a individuos que puedan hacer trabajos musicales como este, a favor del Merengue:
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Video Of Live Performance By Wilfrido Vargas & His Band In Dominican TV
Here's Wilfrido Vargas' performance in the TV show De Extremo A Extremo, broadcast by Telemicro in the Dominican Republic on 1/28/13.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Juan Luis & Sus Mulatos
"La Ola": This is a Merengue song made in the island of Puerto Rico in the Summer of 85. The band was led by Bass player Juan Luis, hence the name "Juan Luis & Sus Mulatos". The singer was Juanchy Vasquez, whose particular voice and singing style allowed him to have his own successful music project later on in NYC.
A very interesting feature in the making of this song is the fusion of Merengue and Plena.
A very interesting feature in the making of this song is the fusion of Merengue and Plena.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Ramón Orlando Valoy
Ramón Orlando Valoy is a merengue musician and son of Cuco Valoy.
Ramón Orlando (Valoy) was born in Manoguayabo, then part of Santo Domingo, D.N. (the capital city) and now part of Santo Domingo Province. He studied music at National Conservatory of Music in the Dominican Republic.
In the 1970s, after his father Cuco Valoy left the guitar duet Los Ahijados, he formed his first group, Los Virtuosos, with Cuco as the lead singer. Cuco kept the group together renamed as Cuco Valoy y Orquesta (Cuco Valoy and his Orchestra) in which he hired singers Peter Cruz and Henry Garcia. Ramón Orlando went on to form another group during that time. Years later, the Cuco Valoy group broke up and Ramon moved to Colombia to physically separate himself from the Dominican Republic due to his political differences with the Dominican president Joaquín Balaguer. Ramón Orlando then undertook a more ambitious musical project. He and then-famous merengue singers Peter Cruz and Henry Garcia formed La Orquesta Internacional (The International Orchestra), in which Ramón Orlando intended to be the composer and musical director, while Cruz and Garcia were intended to be the vocalists. However, of the first ten "single" songs to be recorded (and released individually), Ramón chose to sing four of them himself, which caused a split in the group. Peter Cruz and Henry Garcia then each formed a short-lived group. Upon the two vocalists' departure, Ramón Orlando quickly hired some vocalists with voices sounding similar to those of Cruz and Garcia in order to perform songs already gaining airplay.
Ramón Orlando (Valoy) was born in Manoguayabo, then part of Santo Domingo, D.N. (the capital city) and now part of Santo Domingo Province. He studied music at National Conservatory of Music in the Dominican Republic.
In the 1970s, after his father Cuco Valoy left the guitar duet Los Ahijados, he formed his first group, Los Virtuosos, with Cuco as the lead singer. Cuco kept the group together renamed as Cuco Valoy y Orquesta (Cuco Valoy and his Orchestra) in which he hired singers Peter Cruz and Henry Garcia. Ramón Orlando went on to form another group during that time. Years later, the Cuco Valoy group broke up and Ramon moved to Colombia to physically separate himself from the Dominican Republic due to his political differences with the Dominican president Joaquín Balaguer. Ramón Orlando then undertook a more ambitious musical project. He and then-famous merengue singers Peter Cruz and Henry Garcia formed La Orquesta Internacional (The International Orchestra), in which Ramón Orlando intended to be the composer and musical director, while Cruz and Garcia were intended to be the vocalists. However, of the first ten "single" songs to be recorded (and released individually), Ramón chose to sing four of them himself, which caused a split in the group. Peter Cruz and Henry Garcia then each formed a short-lived group. Upon the two vocalists' departure, Ramón Orlando quickly hired some vocalists with voices sounding similar to those of Cruz and Garcia in order to perform songs already gaining airplay.
Ramón Orlando is also the composer of the theme El Venao, which found a large audience in several Latin American countries including Colombia, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
He was a nominee in the Latin Grammy Awards of 2005.
Source: Wikipedia
Premium Merengue, Courtesy Of La Gran Manzana
This is quite possibly one of the best-arranged Merengue songs made in NYC during the 80s decade..
La Gran Manzana was a local band which grew to become an international success.
A well-respected ensemble of musicians led by lead singer Victor Roque, Anthony Valdez (Bass), Jose Francisco Montero (Trombone), Marcos Burdier (Chorus/choreography) and many other talented guys, helped this band achieve its distinctive sound and look, which, by today's standards, continues to be unmatched in NYC.
La Gran Manzana was a local band which grew to become an international success.
A well-respected ensemble of musicians led by lead singer Victor Roque, Anthony Valdez (Bass), Jose Francisco Montero (Trombone), Marcos Burdier (Chorus/choreography) and many other talented guys, helped this band achieve its distinctive sound and look, which, by today's standards, continues to be unmatched in NYC.
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!!!
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!!!
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...
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!!!
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!!!
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!!!
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
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!!!
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
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
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