What's New- Page 2

New and Recent Related CDs
 

Ersi Arvisu- "Friend For Life" is a new CD released on Anti Records by "Eastside Sound" veteran vocalist, Ersi Arvisu.  Ersi was one of the singers in The Sisters, a popular female vocal trio in East Los Angeles in the '60s.  In 1970, Ersi was lead vocalist for El Chicano, with whom she recorded their classic version of "Sabor a Mi."  This collection of songs in Spanish and English, mostly written by Ersi, is produced by the legendary musician/producer, Ry Cooder.
 

Los Straitjackets- Rock En Español, Vol. 1- a new CD produced by Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos on Yep Roc Records.  On this CD, Los Straitjackets (from Tennessee) are backing Chicano singers Big Sandy, Cesar Rosas, and Little Willie G. on a collection of classic cover tunes including Spanish versions of The Kinks' "All Day and All of the Night," The McCoys' "Hang On Sloopy," Larry Williams' "Slow Down," The Troggs' "Wild Thing," and others.  There's also an instrumental cover of Thee Midniters' "Whittier Boulevard."  Some clever and amusing liner notes are written by Los Lobos' Louie Perez.  I suspect Louie's referring to my dad, Lalo Guerrero, in his liner notes as "some Mexican dude singing a song about some little bitty bikini in Spanish."  My dad had a record in the early 60s called "La Bikini de Mi Tia Trini," based on the mainstream hit "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini."
 

Frankie Firme- "16 Golden Treasures from the Vaults of Rampart Records"- a new eclectic compilation of classic "Eastside Sound," r&b, and tex mex recordings from the Rampart Records group of record labels founded by the late Eddie Davis.  Some of the artists included in the collection are The Heartbreakers, Little Ray Jimenez, The Salas Brothers with the Jaguars, The Romancers, and The Atlantics featuring Barry White.  It's very well-packaged with a booklet filled with vintage photos and information on the artists and recordings.  For more information visit www.eastlarevue.com.
 

"La Magia De La Navidad"- CD release from Ramon Perez Jimenez, formerly known as Little Ray (Jimenez).  It's a collection of original Christmas songs in Spanish, music by Ramon Perez Jimenez and lyrics by Dora Ester Wynveltd.  The CD, released on Cosa Buena Records, features an array of lead vocalists including Margarita Luna, Teo Franco, Leily Sanchez, Azuquita, Stacie Chavez, Raymundo Monge, Daisy Gonzalez, Gabriela Golding, 9 year old Teresita Osuna, and Ramon Perez Jimenez.  The musical styles of the songs include ballads, cumbias, and mariachi-backed music.  All the singers are excellent.  Ramon Jimenez takes the lead on the beautiful "Mi Tierra Querida."  Perhaps the best singer/performer to ever come out of East L.A.'s fertile music scene, Ramon can still sing with the best of them after more than four decades as a performer.  Much to Ray's credit, he has created a recording studio (Sanctuary Studios) and a record label (Cosa Buena) "to provide a haven for musicians where they can work in a creative environment."  This first effort on his new label should be a staple every Christmas for years to come, particularly for lovers of Chicano and Latin music and generally for all lovers of good music.  In addition to Sanctuary Studios, Ray has a management company called Vista Entertainment Group and a booking agency by the name of Total Performance.  All three companies can be reached at 323-888-9884.  For more information on Little Ray's background, go to my article on Little Ray Jimenez.  Click here for the link.
 

APB- "Be On the Lookout" is a new CD by veteran East L.A. band APB, led by drummer extraordinaire Aaron Ballesteros.  Aaron has played with classic Eastside bands Tierra, Thee Midniters, and Los Lobos, as well as Latin giants such as Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, and Willie Bobo.  Aaron wrote most of the songs on this collection and sings lead on several of them.  Also on lead vocals is Gilbert Stokes, who is a first rate vocalist.  The band is rounded out by guitarist Dennis Alvarez and bassist Steve Falomir of Tierra.  Guest artists on the CD include Poncho Sanchez, Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, guitarist Bob Robles of Thee Midniters, and others.  Highlights include the title track "Be On the Lookout," an excellent reggae song, the clever and humorous "Oranges," a political anthem ("Huelga"), the musically sophisticated "Freedom Jazz Rap," and a ballad called "For the Rest of My Life."  There are also solid cover versions of "How Long" and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love."  Included with the CD is a DVD of the song "Huelga."  For more info visit www.apbmusic.org.
 

Thee Midniters- "In Thee Midnite Hour" is a new compilation CD and vinyl album released by Norton Records.  It's a collection of recordings that reflect the rockin' side of East L.A.'s most popular band of the 60s.  It's well known that Thee Midniters' lead vocalist, Little Willie G., is perhaps best known for his ability to sing romantic ballads with the best of them.  This collection shows that Little Willie G. & Thee Midniters could rock too.  It includes their classic "Whittier Boulevard," "Jump, Jive, and Harmonize," "Love Special Delivery," and "Land of a Thousand Dances."  Also in the collection are covers of Barrett Stong's "Money," The Rolling Stones' "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love," and "Devil With a Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly."  My favorite cut on the album is "Never Knew I Had It So Bad," which is a Midniter original that typifies the mid-60s rock era.  "In Thee Midnite Hour" is packed with 19 exciting recordings from the golden age of Thee Midniters.  I was pleased to provide images of the 1960s Eastside flyers used in the CD booklet.  The flyers I had saved were to promote the dances and shows where my bands of the period, Mark & the Escorts and The Men from S.O.U.N.D., performed on the bill with Thee Midniters.  For more info, visit www.nortonrecords.com.
 

Jerry Salas- "Salas" is a new CD by former, and once again, lead vocalist and guitarist for El Chicano.  I would describe the style of the music as r&b and rock, with some Latin overtones.  Jerry is joined by his two daughters Sara and Amanda on this album and, like their dad, they can sing!  They sing excellent background vocals throughout the album and Sara steps out front on one of her dad's compositions "Best of Your Life" and tears it up.  The album is produced by Jerry Salas and John Avila, the former bassist for Oingo Boingo.  With the exception of one song, Jerry wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the CD.  Highlights for me are the previously mentioned "Best of Your Life," a Billy Joel-style song called "Everything I Feel," and a great reggae song called "Shut Up."  For more information on Jerry and the CD, visit www.jerrysalas.com.
 

East L.A. Rockin' the Barrio- New compilation of "Eastside Sound" recordings on the Varese Sarabande label with tracks by artists such as Cannibal & the Headhunters, The Premiers, The Blendells, The Romancers, The Salas Brothers, The Village Callers, and Little Willie G.  For more information and to order visit www.varesesarabande.com.
 

Tierra- "Welcome to Cafe East L.A." is Tierra's latest album. produced by the leader of the band, Rudy Salas.  It's a return to their r&b roots, with some Latin grooves added for good measure.  The title track is a Pachuco swing song that starts the CD off with a bang.  My favorite tracks are the Latin-styled "Ojos Negros" and "Oh God (Save Us From Ourselves)," which I would describe as gospel funk.  Rudy Salas provides an excellent lead vocal on the latter song.  Chief vocalist Bill Mondragon is a fine young singer who handles all the other lead vocals.  There's also an instrumental, "Marrano Beach Mambo," and a rap song, "My Chiquita," featuring Mr. Capone.  For more info on the CD visit Tierra's website, www.tierramusic.com.
 

El Chicano- "The Best of El Chicano" has just been released, October 4, 2004, on Geffen Records.  It's part of the prestigious "20th Century Masters- The Millennium Collection" series.  The collection has El Chicano's best and most popular recordings including "Viva Tirado," "Brown-Eyed Girl," "Tell Her She's Lovely," "Sabor a Mi," and my favorite, "Gringo En Mexico."  All the tracks were recorded during El Chicano's prime years, 1970-74.  This CD is a must for any Chicano music collection.  Fred Sanchez, founding member and original and once again bassist with El Chicano, sent me the article on the following link about "The Best of El Chicano."  Click here to read the article, which also has some updated information on El Chicano.  For more info visit El Chicano's official website, www.elchicanomusic.com.
  

Contact me at:  info@markguerrero.net

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