NEW RELEASES

Los Amigos Unidos 2006 - Viva La Navidad Christmas in Puerto Rico is a unique experience and the spirit lives on with Paranda Los Amigos Unidos release for 2006, ‘Que Viva La Navidad’. The music is described as typical Navideña by Jesus E. Perez, who, along with Feliz Torres,  has been playing music with Los Amigos for more than 7 years, but the band has been together for the past eighty! Seven musicians make up the instrumental journey and their music includes the cuatro, bass, timbal, keyboard, guiro and saxaphone. Perez stated their musical inspiration for nearly a century is the Mocana tradition of ‘Dia de Los Inocentes’ and the birth of Jesus. The CD includes   popular original songs ‘No hay otro lugar’ and ‘Señor Porque’. No cover songs on this Christmas CD, just original paranda music handed down generation by generation. Los Amigos Unidos 2006 CD can be purchased by calling (787) 637-2280 or (787) 877-5979. They can also be seen every year at the Festival de Mascaras celebrated every year in the mountains of Moca.

Tego Calderon - The Underdog It has been three long  years since Tego Calderón dropped his debut El Abayarde, but his latest release of ‘The Underdog/El Subestimado’ has ipods thumping all over the island. El Abayarde’s three year layoff has seen reggaeton explode from Chile to Canada, but Tego’s remains true to his hip hop roots with his newest record. Payaso features appearances by legend Eddie Dee while Llora Llora features Oscar d’Leon. The compilations exhibit Calderons uncanny ability to fuse Latin Rythems and hip hop music and he has avoided the mainstream genre of all image and no beats through his unique hard hitting rythems better suited as   Latin hip hop.  In a recent interview with a Houston, TX, based newspaper, Calderon was quoted, “ and if the reggaetón does go away, then if you have good music, good lyrics and good vibes, you have no worries.” Pickup ‘The Underdog’ almost anywhere or visit Tego’s site at myspace. com/tegocalderon Tego Calderon

Frank Sinatra - Vegas The ‘Voice’ had an uncanny ability to lyrically define cities like New York, Chicago and L.A., but in the latest release Frank Sinatra takes Las Vegas by storm where he is most often associated. Reprise has put together a 5 disc set of his most notable performances – four on CD, one on DVD – ranging in date from 1961 to 1987. Sinatra’s voice was in its prime in the ‘60s, which is highlighted on the first two discs and both capture Sinatra at the Sands Hotel & Casino in 1961 and 1966, with the latter performance backed by Count Basie and his Orchestra. As somewhat of a surprise, ‘Old Blue Eyes’ sounds really strong on the 1987 performance and the 1982 Caesar’s Palace gig includes a duet with his daughter Nancy Sinatra in “Somethin’ Stupid”. What’s truly great about this set is the DVD. It’s awesome, baby because you actually get to see Sinatra doing his Vegas schtick. All told, Vegas is an indispensable part of your Frank Sinatra collection. If you’ve got a song in your heart, a drink in your hand, and a happenin’ party at home, you could do a lot worse than having this playing in the background.

Sol D’Menta - Ciclos
In their first release in four years, the skilled ska-punk rockers Sol D’Menta are back on the scene with their latest Ciclos released in August of this year. ‘Could You
be Loved’, a cover of the Robert Nesta Marley’s original, is groundbreaking and has given the band a substantial English market to go along with an already loyal fan
base in Latin America. The band describes their music as a powerful fusion of funk, ska, hip-hop, psychedelic, salsa, and trova music. Anyone East of Vega Alta can
hear the song looped on The Buzz 104.3 from St. Thomas were it has exceeded expectations and is regularly requested in Los Soles newly conquered market. ‘De
Vuelta en Ocean Park’ has potential in Latin markets to reclaim the bands place in Spanish Rock history. Their new disc can be picked up at all major music shops
and can be previewed online at their website soldmenta . com or at myspace.com/soldementa.

Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape
What makes people drop to their knees and worship Gwen Stefani? Is it her looks, musical talent, or both? Her springboard to stardom was No Doubt and the band
had its moments – “Ex-Girlfriend,” “Simple Kind of Life” and “Hella Good” spring to mind – but Gwen isn’t the best singer in the world, or even the best looking front
woman either. And yet, since she’s launched a career as a solo artist, Stefani has become the new Madonna pop goddess with the #1 hit single “Hollaback Girl.”
Leading-off The Sweet Escape is “Wind It Up” featuring a whole lotta sass from Stefani. Also check out Orange County Girl, with lyrical expressions like - “I’m just an
Orange County girl, living in an extraordinary world”.  The Sweet Escape has some truly wondrous moments. It will surprise no one to learn that the beautiful piano
ballad “Early Winter” was co-written with Keane West’s Tim Rice-Oxley, and the change in style is a welcome sign for Stefani’s music evolution. Pick-up The Sweet
Escape at records stores or on-line at Yahoo music where you can preview songs.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Nearly a quarter century into a their career, the Chilli Peppers are back with their latest release Stadium Arcadium. Thumbs up to Rick Rubin and the band for
putting together an artistic journey not seen since Blood, Sugar Sex Magik in 1991. What differs in Stadium Arcadium from previous releases is Anthony Kiedis’
vanguard vocals,  unlike previous albums where its muffled amongst the melodic jive posturing. The two CD set is larger than life with 24 tracks ranging from punk-
funk on ‘Tell Me Baby’ to hip hop experimentation on ‘Hard to Concentrate’. Ruben and the Chilli Peppers music rapport has peeked in their latest release and
‘Dani California’  exhibits their Cali-rock approach combined with white boy advancements on funk. The ‘Under the Bridge’ days appear behind the Chilli Peppers
and new found inspiration is apparent in ‘Stadium Arcadium’ which can be picked up at any major record store or preview songs online at Yahoo music.

2 Sick Minds - Disconnected
Hailing  from the West Side, Disconnected has the uncanny ability of combining hard hitting  punk riffs and techo music, all with a latin flair, that’s a breath of fresh air
in the Puerto Rico music scene. Disconnected is their latest release, and the 14 tracks range from  a jaunty techno remake of The Doors  ‘Break on  Through’  to their
title song ‘Disconnected’ with hints of Nine inch Nails and Prodigy influence. Mixing of two extremely unique sounds while maintaining direction and flow was
accomplished by 2 Sick Minds and co-producers DJ Noise and DJ Adrenaline. ‘Shotgun’ sampling of all-time Scarface quotes reveal their creativity and distinctive
sound. Vocal contributions  by Ivelisse on ‘Show Me the Beat’, ‘New World Sound’ and ‘Obsessions’ add an interesting twist and  reveal their musical composition
prowess,  where musical distortion is at the forefront of expression. 2 Sick Minds release Disconnected is distributed by Demencia Productions and their CD can be
picked up at record stores islandwide.

NOFX - Punk in Drublic
Quite possibly the greatest punk album ever. After over 15 years of playing underground punk, NOFX has released ten albums and the best by far is Punk in Drublic.
Still with Epitaph and still refusing MTV and commercial radio stations, their latest release has 16 tracks of classic NOFX with songs like ‘Jeff Wears Birkenstocks’,
arguable one of the best NOFX songs and ‘The Brews’, a definitive NOFX song that stands out high above the rest. “The Brews” (oi oi) is one of the greatest punk song
in the history of mankind. Notable mentions go to ‘Reeko’ , half slow-acoustic ska-type riff and half power punk, and ‘Linoleum”, a fast paced, classic song featuring
Fat Mike’s superb lyrics. If punk is your thing this is a must have in your collection. You can purchase NOFX’s latest release ‘Punk in Drublic’ at Barnes & Nobles Book  
stores islandwide or  online at amazon.com.  You can also visit their website nofxofficialwebsite.com for more info.