Monday, February 2, 2009

the Salsa Princess " La India"





Linda Caballero became known as India (Native American) among her friends because of her fine dark features and long straight black hair. In 1985, when Caballero was 14 years old, she became a back up singer for the Latin freestyle group TKA and was featured on the cover of TKA's second single "Come Get My Love" however she left shortly after. She was under the tutelage of John "Jellybean" Benitez, a Puerto Rican DJ who was once involved with—and credited for—discovering Madonna. She then re-recorded Jellybean's "Dancing on the Fire" and made it an even bigger club hit and the original. She also contributed vocals on Jellybean's club Hit "Mirage" and the only understandable words were "No Money..." When Caballero wasn't singing, she earned money as a part-time model.

Caballero signed a record contract with Reprise Records, which planned on making her the Latin version of Madonna. After recording the album Breaking Night, Caballero decided that she didn't want to take that route in her career.[1]

In 1990, when she was 19 years old, Caballero married Louie Vega. The marriage last for a few years but they still continue to maintain a professional relationship.

After Louie Vega had teamed up with DJ/producer Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez and formed Masters At Work the duo collaborated with India and produced the Classic House anthem "I Can't Get No Sleep." The single was followed by "When You Touch Me" but was not as successful as its precursor. Both songs were featured on the self-titled 1993 Masters At Work album on Cutting Records. India is a well-respected name in the house-music scene, but she is not as dominant in that genre as she is in salsa music.

An important event in her life took place one day when she accompanied her husband during a studio recording. Salsa band leader Eddie Palmieri happened to visit the studio and was impressed with Caballero when he heard her singing. In 1992, Palmieri produced Caballero's first Spanish-language salsa album "Llego la India via Eddie Palmieri" (The India has Arrived via Eddie Palmieri), which was acclaimed as one of the best salsa albums of the year.

From then on Caballero became known to all as "La India". In 1994, La India together with Vega recorded a house-music single that paid tribute to Santeria (a syncretic religion based in the Caribbean) titled "Love and Happiness ('Yemaya y Ochún).", a up-beat house track that is stilled played heavily in dance club's internationally. La India's involvement with Santeria bothered many people and as a result she was criticized by many. She later recorded Dicen Que Soy (They Say that I Am) which was a top Billboard chart Hit and is certified 2x gold. That same year India released the song "Vivir Lo Nuestro," a duet with Marc Anthony, which appeared on the album Combinación Perfecta.

In 1996, La India worked with Tito Puente on Jazzin, an English-language album of swing classics with a Latin twist on RMM Records. That year she contributed the song "Banderas" to the album Voces Unidas (United Voices), a multi-artist tribute to the 1996 Summer Olympics. She also released India: Mega Mix that same year before divorcing Vega. La India sang a duet titled "La Voz de la Experiencia" ("The Voice of Experience") with Celia Cruz, the queen of salsa. It was then that Cruz named La India the Princess of Salsa.

In 1997, La India recorded "Sobre el Fuego" (Over the Fire) with Puerto Rican salsa singer Kevin Ceballo as back-up, which was nominated for a Best Latin Tropical Performance Grammy Award and, in 1998, she won an ACE Award.

On May 31, 1998 La India gave two sold-out concerts at the Luis A. Ferre Performing Arts Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She returned to the United States and Cable Channel UPN aired one of her shows. La India also held concerts in New York's Madison Square Garden and in El Festival de la Calle Ocho in Miami, Florida.

In September, 1999, India release her album "Sola" which granted her great reviews for her single "Sola" and the hit covers by the late Cuban sensation La Lupe "Que Te Pedi" and "Si Vuelves Tu".

On February 5, 2000, a full page ad was placed in Billboard Magazine congratulating her on her second Grammy Award nomination and on March 2000, she was featured on Vibe Magazine.

In 2003, La India released "Latin Songbird: Mi Alma Y Corazón". The album's lead single, the salsa romantic tune "Sedúceme", became a hit in the Latin Charts, topping the U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Tracks for several weeks. This was La India's first number 1 song. That song brought her a new fanbase, as well, as many awards and nominations, including two Latin Grammy nominations for Best Salsa Album and Best Tropical Song in 2003, and her third Grammy Award nomination for Best Salsa Album in 2004.

In 2005, La India participated in the musical presentation 'Selena Vive', a tribute to the late Tejano sensation 'Selena Quintanilla - Perez'.

In 2006, she released the album "Soy Diferente" and which contained two songs which became "hits", they were "Soy Diferente" and "Solamente Una Noche". The 2007 Annual Latin Billboard Awards honored India with (2) Awards, Best Tropical Album of The Year Female for "Soy Diferente" and Latin Dance Club Play track of the Year for "Just For One Night/Solamente Una Noche". In 2007, India collaborated with latin sensation Gloria Estefan, in a duet titled "90 Millas".

India is set to release her ninth studio album in mid 2009 that will propel her to international and various countries around Europe and Asia. India mentioned to the Associated Press, "I am reinventing myself...changing my physical image. India will return to become a 'barbie'. But more than that, I feel like a new woman because I have been been blessed with many beautiful things. After many years, I have my family with me and I am not separated from my mother, in which I suffered greatly, I have her in my life and that brings inner peace that I haven't had in a long time", said India.

Among La India's recordings are the following:

[edit] Studio Albums (New Material):

* 1989: Breaking Night
* 1992: Llego La India Via Eddie Palmieri
* 1994: Dicen Que Soy
* 1996: Jazzin' with Tito Puente
* 1997: Sobre el Fuego
* 1999: Sola
* 2003: Latin Songbird: Mi Alma Y Corazón
* 2006: Soy Diferente

[edit] Compilations:

* Love and Happiness EP (with River Ocean) (1993)
* India Megamix (1997)
* The Best of India (2004)
* Grandes Exitos + (2005)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Where to Salsa when you are in the GCC?



Kuwait

Palms Beach Resort, Salmiya.


Bahrain
Blue Elephant
Seef Area – Manama
Colombian band every night
Tel: +973 17 583 555

Club Seven
Mishal hotel- Manama
Every Friday night
More info log on to: www.clubseven.biz

Likwid Lounge
City Centre hotel
2nd Floor
209 Government Avenue – Manama
Every Monday night
Tel: +973 17 229979/ +973 36766627
For map & more details:
www.salsabahrain.com

Regency Bar
Intercontinental Hotel
17229929
Every night, except Friday
Colombian Band

Trader Vic's Restaurant
Ritz Carlton Hotel and Spa
Seef Area – Manama
Cuban Band Playing every night from 9 p.m. till 12.30 a.m.
Tel: 973-586-555 or 586-556

Typhoon Restaurant & Bar
Gulf Hotel
17 713000
Every night
Colombian Band
No entrance fee

Qatar


Sheraton Hotel and Resort: Latin and Ballroom classes
with instructor Pierre (Lebanese) are held on
Saturdays and Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30pm. Tel: 4854444.
Salsa with Abby: New venue for Salsa lessons! No need for a
partner - just be prepared to have some fun! details.
The Music Center: Beginners and intermediate classes on
Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:00pm.
Tel: 4671354.
Ramada Hotel - Cabana Club: Salsa, Cha Cha and Meringue classes every Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 to 9:00pm.
Salsa at Pepka Yoga Studio: Beginners classes started this
month also with Abby - every Wednesday from 8.30 to 9.30pm.

Salsa Night Every Sunday

Feel the Latin beat at The Paloma (Intercontinental Hotel).
Salsa and Latin music starting at 9pm till late.
Free entrance - pay as you go.
¡¡Unfortunate... it's the only Latin
night in town!!

However you can still enjoy/dance more Latin music played live by the amazing Columbian band all week
at the Paloma - Intercontinental Hotel, from 9pm till midnight.





Abu-Dhabi

Shaleela, 2nd Floor
Le Royal Meridien
Sheikh Khalifa Road,
Abu Dhabi
+97126773333
Spicy Salsa Night every Thursday night.
Beginner/Improvers class at 8 p.m.
Intermediate class at 9 p.m. with
James and Alex followed by free entry salsa party from
10.00 p.m. to 1.30 a.m.
Mainly LA Style (on 1) and some Cuban.
www.salsaarabia.com

Salsa in Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates

Zari Zardosi
Le Royal Meridian Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
Free entry chill out salsa party
every Friday night
2000 - 2400
www.salsaarabia.com

Salsa in Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates

Zenith
Sheraton Abu Dhabi
Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
+97126773333
Tuesday night:
Improvers class at 8 p.m. Absolute Beginner
class at 9 p.m. with Brando and Nieda
followed by free entry
salsa party from 10.00 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.
Mainly LA Style (on 1) and some Cuban.
www.salsaarabia.com for further details.

Salsa in Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates
Schools and Instructors

Salsa in Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates

Shaleela, 2nd Floor
Le Royal Meridien Hotel,
Abu Dhabi
+97126773333
Spicy Salsa Night every Thursday night.
Beginner/Improvers class On 1 (LA Style) at 8 p.m.
Intermediate class On 1 (LA Style) at 9 p.m. with
James and Alex
followed by free entry salsa party from
10.00 p.m. to 1.30 a.m.
Mainly LA Style (on 1) and some Cuban.
www.salsaarabia.com

Salsa in Dubai, Salsa in the United Arab Emirates

Zenith
Sheraton Abu Dhabi
Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
+97126773333
Monday Night:
Beginner On 1 (LA Style) class at 8 p.m. with James and Alex
Intermediate On 1 (LA Style) class at 9 p.m. with James and Alex
www.salsaarabia.com for further details.

Dubai


Breeze Salsa Night - Zinc - Every Saturday from 9-12pm, with DJ Najib. Free entry.

Cheese and Salsa - Lodge - This venue is suspended for the summer.

Savage Garden - Capitol Hotel - 7 nights a week of Latin music. Live Colombian Band plays from Tues - Sun.

Sevilles - Wafi - Due to summer, only 3rd Wednesday of every month, 9.30-late.

The Apartment - JBH - Every Tuesday from 10pm-late, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, with DJ Udia. Free entry.

Trader Vics - Madinat - 7 nights a week of Cuban music. Live Cuban Band plays from Mon - Sat.

Savage Graden -Mina Road - Capitaol Hotel _ 7 Nights a week of mixed Salsa and Latin Music from a live band playing all the great songs with a South African Great DJ for the people who adores the Hip Hop R&B and house music starts 10 pm till 3:00 am



Oman


Salsa Night
The Oman Salsa Group gets together regularly Tuesdays or Fridays at Trader Vic's next to the Intercontinental Hotel, in Al Shatti al Qurum. From 7 to 11 pm.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Cheo Feliciano


Jose Luis Feliciano Vega, was born on July 7, 1935 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He moved to NYC in 1952, worked as a percussionist and became the bandboy for Tito Rodr¡guez, who gave him a break on lead vocals. Tito was so impressed that he later recommended Feliciano to Joe Cuba, whose sextet had lost its lead singer Willie Torres to the band of Jose Curbelo. Debuted with Cuba's sextet on his wedding day in 1957. After the ceremony he hurried to the gig and departed for his honeymoon the next morning. In eight years he made albums with the Cuba sextet for Mardi Gras, Seeco and Tico labels, notching up such notable hits as 'Como Rien' (co-written by Cheo and the group's pianist Nick Jimenez) and 'A Las Seis' from Steppin' Out (1962); 'Ariñañar ' and 'Aunque Tu' from Diggin' The Most (1964); 'Ya No Tengo' and 'Chicon (Juan Ramon)' from Comin' At You (1965); and his own 'El Raton' from Vagabundeando! Hangin' Out (1964). He also moonlighted on three Al Santiago productions for his Alegre label: Que Chevere Vol. II (1964) by Orlando Marin; The Alegre All-Stars Vol. 3 'Lost And Found' and The Alegre All- Stars Vol. 4 'Way Out' (mid-1960s) by the Alegre All-Stars (on Vol. 4 due to his Tico contract); and performed with the Tico All-Stars on Descargas At The Village Gate (1966, three live discs).

Idolized by Latin fans for his sweet resonant style and romantic stage persona, he went solo after Estamos Haciendo Algo Bien!/We Must Be Doing Something Right! (1966). By this time he'd become a heroin and cocaine addict. He went into personal decline, becoming homeless. After hearing of the Impacto Crea drug rehabilitation project in Puerto Rico from bandleader Tommy Olivencia, he admitted himself for four years' treatment. Even so he participated in an 'Alegre All-Stars in disguise' (1967) recording production by Al Santiago, released on two albums Live Jam Session and Salsa Festival by the Cesta All-Stars on Joe Quijano's Cesta label. Sang boogaloo 'Ay Que Rico' and 'Busca Lo Tuyo' on Champagne (1968) by Eddie Palmieri and the hit bolero 'Soy Tu Ley' and guajira 'Guajirita' on Hey Sister (1968) by Monguito Santamaria.

He signed with Fania subsidiary Vaya and issued the immediate success Cheo (1971). Hhis first collaboration with the significant black composer Catalino 'Tite' Curet Alonso, who co-produced and wrote most of it. LP included hits 'Anacaona' (the story of a pre-Columbian Indian princess), 'Mi Triste Problema' (the single was a NYC no. 1 and a Puerto Rico top five hit in the Farandula charts). La Voz Sensual de Cheo (1972) was lushly orchestrated by Jorge Calandrelli, indulging his fondness for boleros, recorded in Buenos Aires. Alonso contributed to all Cheo's LPs '1973-88. With A Little Help From My Friend (1973) (friend being Alonso) included 'Nabori', 'Salome', 'Hace Furo'.

He played El Padrino (the Godfather) in Hommy at Carnegie Hall (Larry Harlow's Latin version of Tommy; album 1973). Appeared on 1973 debut LP by Puerto Rican band Impacto Crea, developed out of the drug rehab programme; sang title track on same band's next LP Cobarde 1974. LPs in 1970s include. Felicidades (1973, Xmas LP), Looking For Love (Buscando Amor) (1974, another bolero collection arranged by Calandrelli), The Singer (1976) (included big hit 'Canta', subtly arranged by Louie Ram¡rez, and two songs by Ruben Blades). First self-production was Mi Tierra y Yo (1977). From Estampas (1979), Sentimiento Tu (1980) his LPs were made in Puerto Rico, where he now lived, as did Palmieri (whose eponymous LP 1981 made in NYC featured three songs by Cheo). Profundo (1982) had three songs by Alonso, Calandrelli arrainging, and played piano on two tracks; Cheo's Rainbow (1976) and La Vida de Cheo Feliciano (1984) were compilations.

He formed his own Coche label in 1984 in PR and launched the live 25th anniversary set 25 Años de Sentimiento (En Vivo), mainly a greatest hits collection. Regresa el Amor in 1986 was another bolero collection. Sabor y Sentimiento (1987) on Coche was full-blown salsa collection with two Alonso songs, co-produced by Cheo and arr./mus. dir. Louis Garc¡a, followed late 1987 by Xmas LP Te Regalo Mi Sabor Criollo, with former Joe Cuba sextet colleague, Jimmy Sabater sharing lead vocals on the Alonso-penned 'Controversia'. Cheo revived Cuba sextet format (augmented by tres, guitar and bongo) and united again with Sabater for his final Coche release Como Tu Lo Pediste (1988).

He signed with RMM label debut Los Feelings de Cheo (1990) made in PR and NYC with prod./mus. dir. by Sergio George and Charlie Donato. Cantando (1991, made in PR) had guests Papo Lucca (a reunion after ten years: the virtuoso pianist/arr. worked on Cheo's '76 to '80 albums) and 'new crop' sonero Gilberto Santa Rosa, Donato as prod./mus. dir. Motivos (1993) was a remarkable return to form, but did not receive the success it deserved; made in NYC and PR it reunited Cheo with ace prod./mus. dir./arr./multi-instrumentalist Luis 'Perico' Ortiz, who'd worked on his '76 and '77 LPs. For the RMM all-star gathering Combinacion Perfecta in 1993, he paired up with Ray de la Paz on a tribute to the late Louie Ramirez (1938-93) 'Recordando A Louie', and with Pete 'Conde' Rodriguez for 'Soneros de Bailadores'.

He appeared on classic Fania All Stars albums of the '70s incl. Live At The Cheetah Vol. I '71, two-disc soundtrack Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa) '72, Latin-Soul-Rock '74 (incl. new version of 'El Raton'), two-disc Salsa (soundtrack of concert film '76), Tribute To Tito Rodriguez '76, Live '78 (incl. Cheo on 'Felicitaciones'), Latin Connection '81 ('Nina'), and participated in the FAS 30th anniversary reunion tour '94 (San Juan, Miami, NYC). Had major hit with cover of 'Yesterday' from RMM Tropical Tribute To The Beatles '96; collaboration Un Solo Beso '96 on RMM interpreted boleros of Mexican composer Armando Manzanero.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

imeem

Register at imeem.com and enjoy hearing the music you like in full
Provided you liked , you can purchase online and download .


Bomba Carambomba - Camaguey (en vivo) - Desde El Callao

La 33



one of the Latest bands and most successful but outside their country are the band

Calling themselves " La 33 " , and one the best songs I like for them is la soledad

and of course they are other nice songs



This is one version of the song they performed in Italy , and some other parts of Europe in which they are more famous



ByeBye song is one of their latest productions and I like as well , this is the video clip I managed to find on the youtube , Enjoy

If you want to enjoy and discover more , check their nice website
http://www.la-33.com/indexeng.html