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CD
Review: "The Chicano Alliance"
by Mark
Guerrero
 If you want a great
survey of Chicano music, go out and buy "The Chicano
Alliance" CD. It's a collection of 36 songs by
30 artists put together by Edward Contreras and released
on his R-Town Records. This two CD set has songs by
artists, such as; Tierra, El Chicano, Malo, Little Joe y
la Familia and two tracks by yours truly. My songs are
"Rosalie," which was written and recorded in 1982 and
"On the Boulevard," which was written in 1979 and
recorded in 1988. This album has some old and some new
recordings in many styles and genres, which is what
Chicano music is all about. It is music created by
Chicanos, who are as diverse as our different tastes
and influences. For example, there is a track by salsa
legend, Johnny Martinez; country music artist, Gabe
Nieto; blues singer, Randy Garibay; R&B and Latin
influenced female vocalist, Geree and a trio in the
great Mexican tradition, Los Suspiros, who do a version
of my dad, Lalo Guerrero's standard, "Nunca Jamas."
This
collectible CD even has a recent recording by Rosie and
the Originals, whose legendary "Angel Baby" is an
all-time oldies/low rider classic.
As if all this isn't
enough, your purchase of "The Chicano Alliance" CD will
provide financial support to the Chicano Alliance
Network, Para Los Niños, and the Quezalcoatl Memorial
Scholarship. The Chicano Alliance Network (CAN) is a
national group promoting Mexican-American unity, it
supports and sponsors positive endeavors by Chicanos as
they move into the American mainstream culture. In
addition, CAN's goal is to raise the consciousness of
our younger generations by making them aware of the many
positive role models and successful leaders from the
Chicano/Latino community. CAN has attracted the interest
and support of many prominent entertainers, educators
and business people, such as national spokesperson,
Grammy Award winner, "Little Joe" Hernandez. "Little
Joe," of the aforementioned Little Joe y la Familia, is
one of the pioneers of Tejano music, has worked with the
likes of Willie Nelson and has a Grammy award to his
credit.
Para Los
Niños,
founded in 1980, is a non-profit family support center
designed to raise at-risk children out of poverty
through positive educational opportunities and support
involving families and communities. Each weekday they
serve more than 600 children, ages six weeks to 18
years, through child care, after school programs, youth
intervention programs, crisis nursery, counseling,
career exposure, recreational activities and more.
In
addition, they provide support services to more than
2,000 families every year. The Quezalcoatl Memorial
Scholarship is the creation of radio personality Daniel "Sancho" Castro.
It is a
non-profit foundation whose sole purpose is to further
the educational achievement of the Chicano community.
"Sancho"
has earned a PhD. and as an educator has witnessed the
empowerment which a university diploma offers to those
who commit to higher education. He also notes that our
community is in need of university trained leadership in
order to be more prominently involved in government and
business. However, many of our people lack the economic
resources to continue their education and this is where
the "Quezalcoatl Memorial Scholarship" has stepped in to
help.
"The Chicano
Alliance" CD is available in the Coachella Valley at the
Record Alley at the Town Center Mall in Palm Desert (in
the Oldies or Spanish section) and at Page Plus Music in
Indio. It can be ordered on the
internet at amazon.com and www.brownpride.com. The two CD set sells for $19.95.
You
can own a piece of Chicano musical history, while
providing financial support to three worthy
organizations.
Contact me at: info@markguerrero.net
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