Donde Mueren Los Payasos Luis Noriega

Mexican superstar Luis Miguel followed up his immensely successful ballads collection, Romance, with the aptly titled Grammy-winner Segundo Romance (meaning second romance). The album, of course, is a first-rate collection of timeless Latin American standards. Miguel, one of Latin America's reigning superstars, has a wonderful, passionate voice, and the songs were exquisitely produced by the artist himself. The album opens with a romantic accordion leading into the first song, "El Dia Que Me Quieras," setting the tone for the rest of the set. Other highlights include his lush version of "La Media Vuelta," one of the album's biggest hits, complete with horns, strings, and Spanish guitars.

‘Canto interno’, or ‘inner voice’, is the nesting place of the elements necessary for the expressive, melodic, and timbral elaboration of one’s musical construction where, before the sound becomes real or audible, it is developed consciously in the innermost depths of our being. It is the space where we can hear and feel music in its purest state.

This is the mainstream recording debut of Luis Salinas, the young Argentinian guitarist/composer whose admirers include Chick Corea and the late, great Brazilian guitarist/composer Baden Powell. Salinas plays both electric and acoustic guitar on this set of his own compositions, fronting a quartet that includes the popular Sammy Figueroa on percussion. At first blush, given the continuous layer of synth violins, the sound seems to fit the familiar formula of "smooth" jazz. Yet while the music is largely relaxed, it's more varied and interesting than the usual "lite" fare - it has real drums and a clear sense of direction. Salinas offers a personalized mix of bossa nova, salsa, Argentinian folk music, bolero, and jazz; the percussive accents and expressive range of the guitar and piano keep the mix from blending too smooth. Most of the tunes are taken at mid-tempo; the distinctive high points are the ballads…

Since the great boom in Cuban son, Luis Frank has become one of the great names of the second generation who keep Cuban musical heritage alive far beyond its borders. The current album intends to demonstrate how Christmas is celebrated in Cuba and the whole of Latin America: just like we celebrate it here, contemplatively, but with lots of joy and dancing too. This is a Christmas CD with a difference that will enrich your Christmas festivities.