The second CD released by the world-renowned Latin dance band features salsa legend Rubén Blades.
Founded by Aaron Luis Levinson in 2000, and directed by Oscar Hernández, the 13 member Spanish Harlem Orchestra covers classic Latin music as well as introducing original music. Its first CD, released in 2002, garnered the best New Artist Award at the 2003 Billboard Latin Music Awards and was nominated for a Grammy in 2002 for Best Salsa Album of the Year.
Classics such as “Bailadores” and “Como Lo Canto Yo” have been rearranged and orchestrated to blend in with original compositions written by band members Ray De La Paz and Oscar Hernández, and one outside contribution from talented new songwriter Ray Viera.<
"This was an excellent opportunity to record some great music with a great band, and my good friend Oscar Hernández”, said Ruben Blades. “The Spanish Harlem Orchestra plays with the swing that epitomizes what this music is about.”<
“Working on this album with Rubén and Oscar was simply an extraordinary experience,” said
Levinson. “With blistering performances by every member of the band,“Across 110th Street
” exemplifies the virtuosity, groove and sophistication that are at the core of this music. When I heard the playback of the first take of the first song it was plainly obvious
that we were getting something that was going to take off like a hurricane out of Spanish Harlem!”
Across 110th Street
features four performances by Rubén Blades as well as classic renditions of salsa songs by newcomers Willie Torres and Marco Bermudez. The CD also highlights the vocal styling of original Spanish Harlem Orchestra member and salsa pioneer Ray De La Paz, trombonist Jimmy Bosch and bassman Rubén Rodriguez.
The album’s 13 songs were recorded live in the studio, without overdubs or digital effects. “The sonic signature is fat and round, and cannot be confused with the assembly-line digital methods used by most studios today,” said Levinson.
Buy Across 110th Street.
Buy the Spanish Harlem Orchestra albums:
- In North America: Viva la Tradición, Un Gran Dia En El Barrio, United We Swing, Across 110th Street
- In Europe: Viva la Tradición, Across 110th Street, United We Swing, Un Gran Dia En El Barrio
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
