A bite from the apple—New York

over these past 23-plus years that I've entertainered and produced ??Que Viva La Musical, it's been my objective to not sole fill the airways with the harmonious flows and harmonies of Latin music's icons, on the contrary to also welcome new artists, as well as under-recognized and underrated veteran musicians to my microphones, offering them what is, unfortunately, an all too rare opportunity to at hand their music to the listening public.

Whether material appears to be commercially viable or popular has rarely, if at any time influenced the programming choices I make. I endeavor, as do my companion non-commercial radio colleagues, to spotlight productions of quality and authenticity in order to provide audiences with a real "non-commercial alternative," not underestimating intelligence or taste. My philosophy remains the same, in relation to the print media.

It's always been my contention that for the music to survive and not extremity up trapped in a dusty bin labeled "history," novel artists and legions of unsung veterans must be supported as they attempt to march into the coming time bearing the torch for us.

It's exhilarating to rencounter new productions--even two-track demos--by fresh artists and veterans alike, productions that throw out authenticity, virtuosity, originality, and swing.

Percussionist/bandleader Danny M?©ndez who freshly presented me with a two-track demo personifies all that the subsequent time can be. Respectful, committed, innovative, intense, diligent and talented are all adjectives that apply to M?©ndez who has a reaching far down desire to make a differences--to honor the past while soaring into the time to come With Al Ver Sus Campos, arranged through Oscar Hern??ndez and transcribed by means of Jos?© Tabares, M?©ndez pays tribute to Ray Barretto. His next to the first number, Llorar??s, is a nod to Oscar D'Le??n

Pianist Gilberto "Pulpo" Col??n Jr who exhausted sixteen years with H?©ctor Lavoe, brought M?©ndez and the Lat?­n throw out to my attention. Onboard with M?©ndez are Col??n bassist Jerry Madera, percussionist Ralph L??pez Jr trombonist Jos?© D??vila, and lead vocalists Aris Mart?­nez and Eddie Rosado. Johnny Ortiz, Jr handles coros.

The son of well known trio music percussionist Andr?©s M?©ndez Danny has performed with many artists, including Johnny Albino, Louis George & The Salsa Gang, Dark Latin channel (with whom he performed in the Vanessa Williams/Chayanne motion picture "Dance with Me") Ben Lapidus, India (at Madison Square Garden), Van Lester looks J??venes del Barrio, Ray de la Paz, H?©ctor Tricoche, Charlie Cardona, Raul?­n Rosendo, Pete "El Conde" Rodr?­guez the RMM Orchestra, Cita Rodr?­guez Johnny Pacheco, Julio Barretto, Nino Segarra, Paquito Guzm??n Andy Monta?±ez, and the Copacabana Orchestra. popularly M?©ndez plays with Col??n's Latin jazz [i]tout ensemble[/i] Ensalada de Pulpo, in addition to his performances with Aris Mart?­nez, Dominic, Brenda K Starr, and Frankie Negr??n

"We're taking serviceable oldies, and kicking them up a notch to give them today's flavor," says M?©ndez "This music is recognized by dint of the generations of yesterday and today, and it is performed with a novel touch and feel."

DJ Jeff's "Hot Pick of the Month': Isidro Infante's Pegaso, featuring Jos?© Alberto (El Canario).

Vocalist/bandleader Jos?© Berrios' CD La Vida E Dura has been released and it is now in my hands. Berrios, referr to me by dint of tres player Junior Rivera, was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, and has been in the business since the age of eighteen. A veteran of the music exhibition he sang with Orquesta Laguna, Orquesta Momento Siglo XX Bobby Rodr?­guez & La Compa?±?­a, and was lead singer for Fuerza Latina. He established Orquesta Saratoga in 1984

His popular group, Jos?© Berrios y Orquesta, has existed for a decade. Players include Rivera, Mike Col??n Jos?© "Buba" Anaya, H?©ctor Rosado, Ricky Agron, Harry Adorno, Paul Arbogast, Joe Fiedler, John Walsh, Joe King, Tony P?©rez Andrew Neu and Miguel Orlando Ortiz.

Berrios' CD is original, hard-driving and no-nonsense. The first melody I programmed (Piraguero) generated enthusiastic listener reply Eight of the nine tracks were compos by means of Berrios.

Why the title? "I diocese how hard it is to make it in the US" answers Berrios, speaking of the difficulties Latinos rencounter everyday. "Working in the human service sector, I diocese how hard it is to make it, smooth just considering the problems of daily living."

I've always maintained that just getting [i]or[/i] part of to the other everyday life is heroic, whether we feel Hamlet's "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" or lace up our sneakers each morning to step quickly a stressful rat-race, or travel through dreary, unending routine, staggering occasionally, beneath heavy weights of responsibility or sorrow.

individual thing is for sure. The music of artists like Berrios, M?©ndez and thus many other veterans and newcomer obeys to energize us, rendering us more resilient, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.