Latino Life Summer Guide 2015 by Latino Life

I SSUE NO. 5 SUMME R GU ID E 2015

WELCOME TO You can probably tell that we are music crazy here at Latinolife. And it was a massive music year at this year’s LUKAS, with Steve Lewinson who, between rehearsing for Simply Red and Ricky Martin, put together a Latin Funk super group of British talent for Jorge Spiteri, who came to pick up a Lifetime Achievement award. The other LUKAS highlight was its tribute to Fania, the iconic Salsa label that made Latin music cool in the 1970s and created global stars out of the likes of Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and Hector Lavoe. Here we continue our tribute to the protagonists of this unique Afro-Spanish fusion, born in the Latin Caribbean and revolutionised in New York under the umbrella of Salsa. Enjoy the issue and more importantly go and see Latin music live! Amaranta Wright, Editor amaranta@latinolife.co.uk

CONTENTS 4

FRONT SECTION: Latin Hotlist, News and Gossip

Galeria Latina - London Latinos about town

INTERVIEW: Venezuela’s most revolutionary band Desorden Publico

MUSIC: The FANIA Generation

14 16 18 21

Salsa’s Unsung Heroes

THE LATIN UK AWARDS 2015

The LUKAS Winners and Runners Up The Original Latin FunksterThe Story of Jorge Spiteri

INTERVIEW: Desorden Público

8 28

CULTURE: Britain’s Luchadores

Salsa’s Fabulous Women The UK’s Top Ten Salsa DJs The Resurrection of Fania

CULTURE - Battle of Britain’s Luchadores

TRAVEL - North Soul: Dominican Republic

GUIDE - Your listings guide to Latin London

London’s best Latin Restaurants

TRAVEL: Dominican Republic Latinolife is produced by: Managing Editor Amaranta Wright Editor Elizabeth Mistry Listings Editor Ana Young Designer Antonella Perreca www.latinolife.co.uk • twitter.com/latinolifeuk • facebook.com/LatinoLifeWeb

FR ONT SEC TION

THE LATIN HOT LIST

The King of Milanesas

The Germans claim they invented the Schniztel but we all know that it’s true birthplace is Latin America. And anyone who has tried a Milanesa in Argentina (did anyone mention Milan?.. pure myth also) will have no doubt been left hankering for one ever since, or just as bad, have been battering meat and grinding bread crumbs in the attempt to reproduce one. The misery is over! You can now buy a properly prepared Argentine Milanesas with all the hard work done. Although the mash potato you’ll have to do yourself… Order yours from www.ladocta.co.uk

In search of Perfection

Colombian Swimwear ﬁnally hits the UK

Summer is here and for those of you who know the pleasures of Colombia’s superior lingerie and swimwear fashion houses, you need wait no longer. Colombian-born, Shery López designs beachwear that “celebrates the sensuality of latin women and integrates feminine sophistication with fresh design.” Succesfully established in Spain for some time, her label In Love’s sublime pieces of stylish sexiness bikinis, triquinis, and swimsuits - are now available on English shores! http://www.inloveswimwear.com/

Recently awarded a bronze medal by the UK’s Academy of Chocolate Awards, Brazil’s Q chocolate is a serious contender for perfection in the ever competing world of luxury chocolate. Claiming to be obsessed with her cocoa plantation and fascinated by the magical universe of Brazilian cocoa, Q’s Chief Chocolatier Samantha Aquim promises “subtle notes of dried banana, mango and passion fruit that will bring you even closer to the rainforest.” Aquim chocolate bars are available exclusively in Fortnum and Mason and Selfridges. www.chocolateq.com

The Lucha of the Luchadores

Cassava is the new Potato

Once you’d tried Cassava chips you’ll never go back to potatoe. Now you have them ready to fry or already boiled. Available at Tescos or direct from Gaya Foods. http://www.gayafoods.co.uk/

Everything’s gone Lucha mad this summer with two rival Lucha Libre shows hitting London in the same week. In the grand corner at Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall you have the legendary Blue Demon and his crew. In the people’s corner down in Bethnal Green you have Cassandro and the Fighting Cholitas from Bolivia showing their female might. So Londoners are spoilt for choice. As for the promoters, maybe they should get in the ring themselves and battle it out for the Lucha crown!. http://royalalberthall.com/tickets/lucha-libre www.luchalibreworld.co.uk

FR ONT SEC TION

LATIN MOMENTS OF THE YEAR SO FAR… A New Latin British Sound

One of the highlights of this year’s Latin UK Awards has got to be the brilliant performance of Jorge Spiteri’s Latin Funk All Stars that rocked the after party at KOKO…aaah that Salsa rendition of Farrell Williams’ Happy. Musical Director Steve Lewinson, who was later seen on BGT wth Ricky Martin, put together a stellar cast of British musicians including Urban Soul Orchestra (Take That), Karl Vanden Boscche (Blur) Tony Remy (Annie Lennox) and Pete Lewinson (George Michael). Meeting with the Venezuelan funkster only days before the event to rehearse, the crew got on like long lost brothers. “It was something different for all these musicians and Jorge was like an excited child,“ said Steve.” A bit unpredictable, but we were just like…hey let’s go with the flow and it worked!”

Show’em How its Done Ricky

For those of us with no interest in dancing dogs or fat white men who’ll do anything to get on TV, there was finally a good reason to tune in to Britain’s Got Talent this year. Shock guest Ricky Martin, now a family man and publically gay after being a global 90s pop icon, showed enough swagger and class to make BGT look even more outdated and crass than it usually is. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to reach the mass market these days…

King Sanchez

Alexi Sanchez sealed his place in the hearts of Londoners with his amazing goal on the FA Cup final which saw his team Arsenal win for the second year running and 12th time. Sánchez’s firecracker of a shot that swerved, dipped and soared into the net from almost 30 yards was a fitting end to what has been an exhilarating first season from the Chilean in English football.

Elephant on the Loose

London Charity Latin Elephant who is fighting to save the capital’s ‘Latin Quarter’ in Elephant & Castle, got a boost to its campaign when 80s style icon Bianca Jagger turned up to present it with a LUKAS. The ex-Rolling Stone wife said: “Elephant and Castle is undergoing a gentrification process and Latin Elephant is standing up for the rights of those who have built its vibrant community, so I am delighted to present them with this award.” Jagger was joined on stage by MP for Islington Jeremy Corbyn who said he was “extremely proud to live in a city that is so diverse, and that The LUKAS (was) a fantastic expression of London’s diversity.”

ORDER WITHIN CHAOS Desorden Publico is arguably Venezuela’s most loved band. A kind of Rolling Stones meets Madness with a tropical vibe that has been rocking generations in Latin America. Jose Luis Seijas meets the legendary band in Caracas on the eve of its 30th birthday, and ahead of its London debut in September. For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of this anomalous tropical ska rock band. Its’ unique electrifying punk sound seemed out of place, like a refreshing piece of sanity amidst anarchy. Its’ politically charged songs inspired me and many different generations of Venezuelan youth.

to recording studio where they were rehearsing for their upcoming Mexican tour. My next two hours were filled with good old Caraqueño humour and 30 years of contemporary Venezuelan music history, and I chuckled at the thought of my 15 year-old self, disbelieving every moment.

As a child I used to go to every concert possible. And, having lived in the UK now for many years, I reverted to a fanatical teenager at the prospect of meeting them.

Then I finally got to chat to the legendary Desorden frontman, Horacio Blanco, who is still sounding fantastic…

Like most things in Venezuela, the encounter was semi planned, and the band was in the middle of a photo shoot when I arrived. One by one, the members approached this stranger in their midst and introduced themselves, not knowing who I was, which I found pretty surprising. The next thing I knew I was being dragged from photo shoot

So, what’s the secret of staying together for such a long time and not killing each other? I asked him. “Ha, there are probably a few reasons, the first one I reckon, being that we are all in love with music and there is a lot of passion for it. We have always kept music as the main flag for this band. We have never been drunk on moments of fame or success and during hard times we have not

I NT ER V IE W

“We have never been drunk on moments of fame or success and during hard times we have not fractured too much...we have such a loyal following… in the end there are too many reasons to stay in this band, man.” fractured too much. But we are all quite stubborn and you can be sure that there have been some rocky periods. I think also the fact that we have such a loyal following has helped… in the end are too many reasons to stay in this band, man.” You seem to have a lot of fun together… “Indeed! There is a lot friendship and we have a hell of a time together. We know each other’s sense of humour and all that good vibe helps us to stay together.” Thirty years is such a long time, are you celebrating it? Any new material? “On the recording front there is a lot of exciting stuff. We are doing an album with C4 Trio, a very important band. They are part of the new wave of Venezuelan folk, using the Cuatro. They have had a lot of success here and they won a Grammy not long ago. The album is a re-edition of our classic repertoire, songs that C4 Trio and Desorden Publico like a lot. It’s a fusion

of Venezuelan folk led by the Cuatro and our music, which is quite audacious for both our audiences. That sounds pretty good! “But that’s not all, we are also doing a Box set with eight studio albums on CD format, plus two rare albums, one live and the other in studio. That will be like a present for the hardcore fans. It will be a bit expensive and we are doing a limited run.” Nice present… “It will certainly be! But we are also working on a brand new studio album, which projects the band forward, because with this long career of ours, we could easily fall into the nostalgia vibe, greatest hits sort of thing. This album we are liking a lot, it’s a very strong album that will be great to play live….AND apart from that it is very likely that this year we make a second Christmas album…’Desorden Style’, which would be Guarachando Volumen 2.”

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“With experience you learn a lot of thinkgs. We know where to keep the energy up in a concert and when to bring it down, that is something that with experience, rehearsal and show psychology you learn to achieve.” Kind of a lot! Yes, on that front we are going mad, and then you can add all the gigging and the tours. We are about to do Panama and Mexico, Europe of course later in the year… So what are you doing for Europe? We’ll be doing a very dynamic show, with a lot of joint songs, because we have realised it works really well. In Europe we do the whole repertoire, literally 30 years of songs from Donde esta el Futuro composed in 1985 to Me Gusta el Desorden, which was composed in 2015, so expect a hell of show!

Desorden Publico will be playing in London in a 30th anniversary concert on 19th September @ The Islington Assembly Hall Tickets £25 in advance from http://www.latinolife.co.uk/events/desordenpublico-0 9 PM until late. DJs after the concert info: candelauk@gmail.com 07725368361

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THE FANIA

GENERATION

Fifty years ago the iconic label forged a common identity for Latinos all over the world through a simple thing called Salsa, whose legacy endures to this very day. Jose Luis Seijas describes Fania’s significance. For most people growing up in Latin America, the word Latin or Latino may not mean much; it is only when we leave our continent, in relation to our new environments, that we realise we have more in common than we thought. Sometimes its language, sometimes a similar ‘way of looking at the world.’ More often than anything, it is music that brings us together. When I, a Venezuelan, bond with someone from Colombia, Peru or even Chile, it is more likely to be over Hector Lavoe, Oscar de Leon, or Los Van Van than any politician or cultural idol. That thing that brings us together is called Salsa, a music that has probably touched every communal space, pub or bar, in every town in the world. Yet it was outside Latin America, in New York where this music gave birth to a ‘Latin nation’. Johnny Pacheco, veteran of the New York mambo and charanga scenes, and Jerry Masucci, his attorney and business brain, were the unlikely couple who in 1964 started a music label out boot of their cars. Signing young immigrant talent from Latin America, they took their music to the world and called it salsa. Within ten years, Fania would dominate not just Latin culture in the US, but across the globe, including much of Latin America. Among Fania’s roster were well established artists such as Ray Barreto and Larry Harlow, but it was a little teenager called Willie Colón and his sidekick Hector Lavoe who would become the first global Fania stars.

In 1972, a low budget documentary produced by Masucci called Our Latin Thing, became an instant hit in the States. Portraying the reality of the Latino community in New York’s barrios and including interviews with Fania musi cians and footage of the first ever Fania All Stars concert at the Cheetah Club on August 26th, it documented the beginnings of a musical movement. The two Puerto Ricans it featured, Hector Lavoe on vocals and Colón on Trombone, went on to sell millions of records across the world.

“Through Ruben Blades’ poetry, a youngster from Cali could connect to a Latino kid from the Bronx as much as his neighbour, feeling part of a wider Latin consciousness” In the next decade, other artists such as Ismael Miranda and Cheo Feliciano also achieved tremendous success. Fania’s well-oiled marketing machine would make global stars of Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, even Argentine musicians, from Tito Puente and Celia Cruz to El Gato Barbieri. They produced hits, made films and toured around Latin America and the world. Fania artists presented a style, musicality, authenticity and a message that was hugely appealing to Latinos both in

the US and Latin America. Pivotal to this universal appeal was Panamanian singer-songwriter Ruben Blades, who was to become one of Fania’s most marketable and profitable products. A white, middle class law graduate, with looks to match, Blades was able to transcend the Latin class barrier and his bold, uncompromising lyrics spoke of a common experience that reflected to all Latinos. Through Blades’ poetry, a youngster from Cali could connect to a Latino kid from the Bronx as much as his neighbour, feeling part of a wider Latin consciousness. Blades’ album Siembra was to become Fania’s best selling album of all time, the songs Pedro Navaja and Plastico, became anthems for Latinos around the world. As with any many powerful record label, Fania was not without its problems. Blades would be the first to cut the umbilical cord, due to royalties issues and after him followed. Latino music was never the same, but Fania’s legacy was already set in stone. In an era where there was just as much racism towards Latinos as towards blacks in the US, Fania made being Latin American or ‘Latino’ cool. It brought together the boogaloo, the guaracha and the mambo and packaged them under one brand, and that brand was cooler that the sum of its parts.

Masucci’s business acumen and Pacheco’s ear for musical trends brought together and elevated a generation of iconic musicians: Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Cheo Feliciano, Ray Barreto, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Ismael Miranda and Hector Lavoe. The perceived success of their music had a transformative social impact, empowering a previously disenfranchised community. Salsa, the term that was by then used to described all Latin sounds became the music of the masses and seminal albums such as Siembra, with its message of solidarity, had an influence in forming ‘The Latin Nation’.

“Fania brought together the boogaloo, the guaracha and the mambo and packaged them under one brand, and that brand was cooler that the sum of its parts.” The legacy of Fania is both broad and wide. With its music still packing dance floors around the world, it has remained a source of inspiration for generations of Latin and nonLatin artists since and will no doubt for decades to come.

Salsa’s unsung heroes

Ever since the days of Mozart, the most talented artists and innovators who provided the very stuff that made their music cool, were often exploited in their lifetimes and died in poverty, their genius unrecognised and their work unrewarded. Here we sing the praises of Salsa’s lesser known heroes. By Charlotte McKenzie Tito Curet Alonso Son of a music teacher, this young Puerto Rican poet wrote his first song at 15 in 1941, describing the country’s racism and ordinary people’s plight. Curet Alonso went on to write hundreds of songs, which were recorded by Salsa’s best known artists such as Tito Puente, Willie Colón, Hector Lávoe, Cheo Feliciano and Ismael Rivera. His songs became salsa’s

biggest hits, including Cheo Feliciano’s Anacanoa, Periodico de Ayer sung by Hector Lavoe and Las Caras Lindas by Ismael Rivera. Curet Alonso died of a heart attack in 2003, still working in the US postal service, receiving very few of the royalties he was owed. Despite dying in relative poverty, he was given a state funeral in his native Puerto Rico. His salsa anthems and street poetry are still sung today by salsa lovers all over the world.

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MUSI C

Arsenio Rodriguez

Franki Dante

The third of fifteen children, Cuban born Arsenio was blinded at the age of seven after a horse kicked him in the face. ‘El Ciego aravilloso’ (The Marvellous Blind Man), as he was known, developed the famed son montuno sound during the 1940s and 1950s – the basis of modern day salsa rythmns.

Baptised Lenin Francisco Domingo Cerda, after the Russian revolutionary leader, Dante preferred the Italian Renaissance author for a stage name. Famed for his heeled boots and cowboy hat, Franki hit 1970s New York with his Orquesta Flamboyan.

After a trip to New York to try to fix his vision in 1947, the artist composed his famed bolero La Vida es un Sueño and began performing with Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie and Mario Bauzá. Though reckoned to be the true creator of the mambo, Latin music took a hit in the 1960s, and Arsenio died in 1970 without witnessing Fania’s revival of his genre in the 70s. Put simply, without Arsenio there would be no Salsa.

Manny Oquendo Born in 1931, Manny grew up in New York and began studying music in 1945. A talented musician of Puerto Rican ancestry, he began working in tropical Latin bands such as “Chano” Pozo, Pupi Campo, Marcelino Guerra and José Curbelo. His big break came in 1950 when he began working for Tito Puente as his bongo player. In 1962, he joined Eddie Palmieri’s Conjunto la Perfecta, developing the New York style of the Mozambique rhythm.

His hits such as Vive la Vida Hoy, took a more political turn when he formed ‘Los Rebeldes’ in 1979, consisting of José Mangual, Ray Maldonado and Milton Cardona. Inspired by Rubén Blades, he developed his own version of spiritual salsa. An extrovert to the end, Franki passed away in 1993. Some of his albums such at Beethoven’s V (with pianist Marcolino Dimond) are considered some of the best ever recorded.

In the 1970s he created Conjunto Libre with Andy González, and with this band Oqendo would influence Salsa for the next 20 years, nurturing future salsa legends such as Hernan Olivera, Franky Vazquez, Jimmy Bosch and Giovany Hidalgo.

Perucho Torcat One of Venezuela’s best loved Salsa song writers and performers was born in 1946. After bringing Salsa to Caracas in 1965, with Ray Pérez y su Charanga, Perucho formed his own group Los Dementes, the name inspired by his school music teacher’s musings that musicians should not play like ‘locos’. After a stint in New York, Perucho returned to his native Venezuela to record El Todopoderoso and Vamos a Reir un Poco later covered by Willie Colon and Hector Lávoe. He sadly passed away during his next trip to the States in 1972 in strange circumstances, right at the height of the city’s salsa boom.

REINAS, PRINCESAS AND FIRST LADIES:

Salsa’s Women

Salsa music may be known as a tool to seduce women, but the flow swings the other way too. Here are some of Salsa’s greatest soneras who bewitched audiences and proved their talent in a world dominated by male leads. By Charlotte McKenzie La Lupe The ‘Queen of Latin Soul’ was born in 1939 in Santiago, Cuba. Daughter of a Bacardi distillery worker, La Lupe shot to national fame in 1954 after winning a radio competition. It was whilst singing at Havana’s famed La Red nightclub that this amazon with an incredible voice and empassioned onstage antics caught the attention of famous foreigners including Ernest Hemingway, Marlon Brando and Jean-Paul Sartre. After a move to the US in 1962, and partnering with the acclaimed Tito Puente, her career took off with albums Tú y yo and The King swings, the incredible Lupe sings. La Lupe was the first Latin Singer to have

a sell-out performance at Madison Square Garden. Dedicating her last few years to the santería religion, La Lupe died of a heart attack in 1992. Her fiesty, energetic performances engraved her in Salsa history.

Celia Cruz

The ‘Reina de la Salsa’ was born in 1920’s Havana. An avid performer of santería and traditional yoruba songs, the singer was already lead singer for La Sonora Matancera, Cuba’s most popular band ever, when Fidel Castro assumed power in 1959. In the early 60s, the whole band left to tour in Mexico and never returned. From there Celia arrrived in the US, but it wasn’t until 1973 when Fania records,

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Gracie

e La Lup

already the power house of Latin music industry, got her to sing in the Latin Opera Hommy, that her career took off. From then on Celia was the indisputed “Queen of Salsa” until her death in 2003.

La India

ruz Celia C

it was with La Terrífica orchestra that Yolanda came into her own. She the returned to Puerto Rico and joined La Ponceña, one of Salsa’s most emblematic bands. She is still active today.

Graciela

Linda Viera Caballero, aka ‘La Princesa de la Salsa’, was born in 1985 in Puerto Rico, but moved to The Bronx soon after her birth. Her grandmother named her India because of her indigenous features. In the mid-nineties La India exploded onto the Salsa scene via an album with Eddie Palmieri and also the reléase of songs produced by then husband Litle Louie Vega. She went on to have a huge hit with Marc Anthony Vivir lo Nuestro which proved her to be the Salsa powerhouse that JLo could only dream of. Also well-known on the House scene, India has stayed relevant throughout the decades.

Yolanda Rivera

The lead singer on some of the greatest hits of La Sonora Ponceña (Puerto Rico’s finest Salsa band), Yolanda is one of the most recognizable voices in Salsa. Born in Puerto Rico, she fell in love with Cuban music at an early age. After stints with some of NY’s finests bands,

a Yoland

Rivera

During the first wave of Latin music in the USA, The Mambo Kings era, Graciela was the most prominent female artist of the time. Sister of mambo legend Frank “Machito” Grillo (one of The Mambo Kings) and married to Mario Bauza, one of the most influential Cuban musicians ever to live, she was lead singer in Machito and his Afrocubans, the band that popularized mambo and pioneered latin jazz. Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1915, Graciela the very first black latina to gain fame in the US. Her ability to perform both romance-filled boleros or upbeat guarachas pronounced her ‘The First lady of Latin Jazz’. After the war, the trio became headline act at New York’s Palladium Ballroom. Her best known songs; Esta es Graciela, Íntimo y Sentimental and Esa Soy Yo, Yo Soy Así retain their magic to this day.

ia La Ind

MUSIC

SALSA

DJS

JULIAN THE DUKE

EDWIN “SALSA”

Edwin is the center of all things Colombian in London and big a promoter on his own right, Edwin’s love for Salsa music drives him to stage some of the best latino parties in the UK on a weekly basis. Where to ear him: Salsa City.

Arguably the most popular salsa DJ in the Uk, Julian has inspired 2 generation of dancer in the Uk thru a mix of good tunes, ear for what the dancers want and a great personality. lately he has become one of most recognised Salsa dj in Europe. Where to hear him: Scala Latina.

LUBI JOVANOVIC

The man up north, Lubi breaths music and salsa has been part of his life for over 2 decades. Lubi determination and passion and good taste for latino music has made him a well recognise international DJ and promoter. He has over 40 released compilation under his name. Where to hear him: Calle 8 Hola Colombia and (Leeds).

ERICK THE SAINT

Dominican born Eric is a mn on a mission. resident of the hugely popular salsa party “El Grande”, he has managed to become one of the most south after salsa dis in the country. he has now ventured into promoting and he’s done rather well with his new all vinyl salsa parties. Where to hear him: El Grande and Madre Rumba.

MUSI C

JAVIER LA ROSA

Without a doubt the number one Cuban DJ in the Uk. Javier has been top of his game for almost a decade and does not seem to be slowing down. he features in most international Cuban events in Europe. Where to hear him: Salsa Fusion.

RICHARD FALLON

Richard is a veteran of the salsa scene and has matured to be a true and complete entertainer. His music taste combined with a chiming personality and a worth rate second to none has taken richard to become one of the oat respected Cuban Salsa dis in the UK.

TULIMAR

The only female to make the cut, Tuli is the super talented Venezuelan Dj who spends virtually every weekend either Djing or dancing in some of the best international events in Europe. She has been championed by the Mambo City crew where she is a resident in most of her events. Where to hear her: Mambo City, Incognito in Loudwater and Palladium Mambo.

MAURICIO REYES

The hardest working man of salsa. mauricio is probably the most successful salsa promoter in the whole of the UK, but he is not just a business man, he is a fantastic award winner salsa DJ who worked behind the desks almost every day of the week! Where to hear him: Latin Motion (Birmingham).

FERCHO KBZON

3 times winner of the LUKAS as tropical DJ, Fernando is hugely popular with the Latino crowd. He has been the resident dj of some of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most iconic salsa nights and has been delivering tunes religiously every week almost 2 decades!. Where to hear him: La Pollera, London Bridge.

MICHAEL GOLPE

A hardcore old school salsa lover, Michael has been part of London Salsa scene since he was a teenager. Now he is considered one of the top old school specialists, even holding collectors meeting for the hardcore aficionados. Where to hear him: Sala City or Distriandina.

RETURNING TO LONDON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS

Forty dancers and sixteen musicians present a spectacle of live music and dance drawing on Mexico’s rich and varied history

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The

Resurrection of Fania

Everyone knows the legendary tunes that came out of Fania. Like all empires, however, Fania’s went into decline after the 1990s. For many years the catalogue of iconic albums that sold millions, made global superstars of unknown Latin artists and amassed music fans around the world lay collecting dust. Along comes a guy who decides to convince some unlikely investors to resurrect the Motown of Latin Music. Latinolife interviews the man in question, Michael Rucker, visionary or nostalgic?. By Santiago Peluffo It takes either a romantic or a savvy business person to decide that there is money to be made in a classic Latin music label. On Michael Rucker’s advice, an equity company called Codigo Group bought not only Fania, but 14 other Latin catalogues from the same era, including West Side Latino and Kubaney Records. Taken together, they constitute a major chunk of Latin music history. Rucker has spent the past few years fishing master tapes out of old storage units, getting them up on Spotify and iTunes and pressing up “Best Of” albums. Nevertheless, the new Fania isn’t interested in just attracting collectors. Rucker has a different audience in mind. “Now we look forward and we say –how do we take this to a younger audience today,” says Rucker. “Because at the end of the day, if you aren’t reinventing, if you’re not going to find new listeners then ultimately you die. And that’s exactly what we don’t want to happen.” In an attempt to reach younger audiences, Fania has been working with DJs and putting out remix albums that sample their catalogue. It’s unclear whether the new Fania will succeed in reaching the youth, but at least it is trying, and giving the next generation a chance to decide what Fania means to them.

For those who don’t know what Fania did. Tell us about the beginnings of Fania. Would you say Fania invented salsa in New York? “When Jerry Massuci and Johnny Pacheco started Fania they believed that Latinos could be better recognized in the US by marketing their incredible music. At that time only in New York it could have

happened, because Latinos were flocking there from all over the place, Dominican Republic, Peru, Colombia, Cuba. And they were all living in a small barrio; when you have that many Latinos in five blocks, the phenomenon of salsa happens.” “Later we created the All Stars band in the 70s to represent the best that the genre had to offer. They recorded 50 albums and put them out to the world and inspired other artists to do the same. They were at the top of their industry.”

How did it go from THE record label to crashing in the 80s and reinventing itself in the recent years? “It has been a quite incredible journey. In the 90s the owner -Jerry Masucci-, left the company to take other businesses. Then the label was in probate court, so our job was to take it out of that, to find the assets... They told us there were no recording tapes, and luckily we found a storage in the Hudson Valley and there lay a huge amount of recording tapes, so we documented and data based everything again.”

You were brought in as director of Marketing with the mission of resurrecting the label. What have you done to re-position the label? “We wanted to deliver quality music to the original fans, so we remastered many of the albums, hundreds of them, merchandise for years. Two years ago we moved exclusively to the digital world. We ensured people around the world can experience this music. We have a Spotify catalog for Latin music and then iTunes for artists’ profiles, and we also have a subscription services for collectors.”

www.casafestival.org.uk

More Brilliant

Latin American Theatre This Autumn 2 to 11 October

StarS Gather to Celebrate Latin Culture at Latin UK Awards Britain’s most popular Latin personalities from the worlds of music, sports, dance, art, food and business came together at London’s KOKO on May 13th to celebrate the contribution of Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese culture to the UK. Celebrating the best of Britain’s dynamic Latin cultures - from Flamenco and Samba to Salsa and Latin funk - the spectacular Gala Ceremony featured seven live shows and also honoured Phantom Of The Opera lead, Gerónimo Rauch with Vocalist Of The Year. Buenos Aires star Rauch began his career as winner of Argentina’s Pop Idol, becoming a megastar as a member of the country’s biggest ever boy band, Mambrú. before being picked by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in the West End. Michael Rucker, CEO of New York’s legendary Fania Records, flew in from Miami to pick up the Lifetime Achievement Award with the Fellowship Award going to musician Jorge Spiteri, whose Latin Funk All stars produced an explosive live show. West Ham United forward Enner Valencia won Sports Personality Of The Year in the company of the legendary Spurs players Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa and former

Spanish international Gaizka Mendietta. A personal message was sent from International Artist Juan Luis Guerra, to the sounds of tropical birds in his lush Dominican Republic estate. Spain’s most popular TV presenter Boris Izaguirre hosted the awards for a 3rd consecutive year, accompanied by Venezuelan comedian George Harris, acclaimed dancer Yanet Fuentes and Capital Extra’s Jade Avia. The Air Europa LUKAS Gala Ceremony attracts an A list cast of presenters and winners including Bianca Jagger, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, Royal Baller superstar Carlos Acosta as well as designer Vivienne Westwood and Pink Floyd’s Dave Gilmour. Now in its 4th year, the event has become the UK’s widest reaching and most media covered event. See full list of award winners overleaf and go www.thelukas.co.uk/gala2015 to watch the full 90 minutes LUKAS TV programme.

London’s B

Lucha Libre E

This year Lucha Libre comes to London in a big way with two rival shows in different part of town. the feisty Fighting Cholitas from Bolivia take on any man who comes their way. Here they talk to Lati

FEELING AZUL The Legendary Blue Demon Junior is heading back to London and is looking forward to thrilling Lucha Libre fans for one night only in spectacular fashion under the dome of the Royal Albert Hall, he tells Elizabeth Mistry Demonio Azul (Blue Demon) is Mexico’s biggest Lucha Libre brand, and Jr. now marks 30 years since his father’s debut in Mexico where he has built up a fanatically loyal following. “I started fighting under another name - Kid Blue because I didn’t want my dad to know what I was doing. But he found out pretty quickly and it was after that when he told me if I was going to be a success I had to train properly and also finish university (he is a qualified engineer). “Most importantly he told me that I would fight under his own name - it was his decision and one I didn’t expect or dare hope for.” The name Blue Demon carries as much weight as he does (he maintains a stable fighting weight of around 94 kilograms), given that it was passed down to him by the original Blue Demon who along with his wife, Goyita, (who also acted as his erstwhile manager) adopted the future Luchador when he was just six weeks old. As for the mask, the original Demonio Azul famously declined to remove it in public, even when out of the ring. His son continues the tradition, so much so that when he first met his own wife, she wasn’t sure of his real identity. She of course had known Demonio Azul for years, as her father was also a famous Luchador. Even on shopping trips, Blue is pictured in his blue and silver mascara which stretches all the way around his head and is laced tightly so there is little chance of a familiar body part poking out.

Continued p31

Biggest Ever

ExtravagaNZA

In the Kensington corner we have the testosterone legend that is Blue Demon and in Bethnal Green inolife…

CHOLA POWER In their frilly petticoats, layered skirts, dainty pumps and bowler hats, Las Cholitas (the name used to describe indigenous women in Latin America), are relatively new to the Lucha Libre ring. Yet the crowds have come pouring in, lured by, some might say, the questionable fascination of watching gaudily-overdressed women bash and trample one another. The protagonists, however, insist their show is not a minstrel type gimmick perpetuating racism and sexism. Taking time off from Bailando por un sueño Bolivia’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, chief Cholita Carmen Rosa talks to Aphra Evans about rights, politics and of course her love of Lucha. Latinolife: What made you decide to fight? Carmen Rosa: I am the biggest fan of Mexican Lucha Libre, following it from as long as I can remember. I used to go to Lucha Libre events in Bolivia and was given the opportunity to take part as a luchadora, it wasn’t easy at the beginning, but with time we got the acceptance of the people and male luchadores. LL: When and why did the word chola become a positive, not a negative, term? CR: I think the word chola is still regarded a negative term, although in the last few years with Evo Morales as president we have seen cholitas in politics and this has changed perceptions of us slightly.

“I would say that Evo Morales has had no inﬂuence whatsoever on our success” LL: How do you balance empowerment and exploitation in what you do? CR: I’ve experienced a lot of discrimination in my life, but this has given me strength to go forward. So many times we cholitas were told that we would never make it in Lucha Libre and those comments encouraged us to take risks. This experience has given me the opportunity to travel, film documentaries, feature on national television and do interviews like this, so that can only be good, as long as you do not deny the politics of it.

Continued p31

LL: How quick was the Cholitas rise to fame? CR: I started in 2001 and it wasn’t until 2005 when things started to happen for us. It was when we go invited to Peru to record a TV programme that we received the recognition I feel we deserved. LL: Do you think that the men who go to see the female luchadoras have the same attitude as the women, that is, that it is empowering and not a gimmick? CR: Lucha Libre has always been a source of family entertainment for the people and men and women enjoy our shows in the same way. There are always people who go out of curiosity and will have their own ideas, but the feedback I have received has been special. It is the support from the audience that makes me love what I do, especialy from women and children.

I NT ER V IE W

Blue Demon interview contd.

His face, he says, is for his family - he has two daughters who haven’t shown an interest in following in his footsteps though he hopes his nephew may do in the future. Of course, the enforced ‘mystery man’ stance only serves to fuel the personality cult; “it is part of the lucha persona and is an honour to carry as I travel” he say. Those travels include the Lucha TV show in the US which he works on with Mexican American film director Roberto Rodriguez.

“I hope that the portions of food that you serve have got bigger since I was last there. In my opinion they are too small in the UK.”

Lucha - which is loaded with symbolism - the masked fighters (of whom BD senior was probably the best known along with El Santo) prize their faces and their privacy highly. Losing a lucha de apuesta - where the loser has to give up his mask - is seen as hugely shameful.

31 Fighting Cholitas interview contd. LL:How have indigenous and rights changed since Evo Morales came to power? CR: There have been changes but not as many as promised, there are so many indigenous people who still cannot read and this things should have been a priority of this government. LL: What influence has Morales himself had on the national and international success of the Cholitas? CR: I would say he has had no influence whatsoever, we struggled and continue to struggle and all the support has come from very few people who appreciated our work, and of course the audiences, which is the most important support of all. LL: How do you feel about coming to England? CR: I feel very happy, I never imagined I would ever see England and I am going to represent Bolivian women. We are often told that our job is in taking care of our children or doing the housework. We are all that and much more… we can set ourselves goals and we can make them happen. LL: Is there anything you would like to add? CR: I feel that today we are not just luchadoras, we are part of Bolivian popular culture and anyone who hasn’t seen a Cholita on the ring, hasn’t experienced Bolivia

“I am especially excited about returning to London, the great city and fighting in the venue of venues Royal Albert Hall.” Says Blue. “Although I hope that the portions of food that you serve have got bigger since I was last there. In my opinion they are too small in the UK.” “Lucha is perfect family entertainment,” he adds, pointing out that Mexican audiences range from veteran fanaticos to babes in arms. There may not be too many juniors at the Royal Albert Hall this summer - but there will be mucha (mucha in italics) lucha. Blue Demon will feature in Lucha Libre in the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 11 July 2015 - 7:30 PM http://royalalberthall.com/tickets/lucha-libre

Las Cholitas will be performing between 9-11 July along with other Luchadores in a family friendly festival at York Hall, London, E2 9PJ For tickets and more info go to www.luchalibreworld.co.uk

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NORTHERN SOUL

Travelling independently is the best way to see the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic, says Elizabeth Mistry

If your first impression on arriving in the Dominican Republic is via the tourist hub of Punta Cana, you could be forgiven for thinking that this 20 mile stretch of glitzy pleasure domes backing on to a palm tree-fringed sandy beach is where the party starts and ends. Yet there’s much more to the country than the perfectly manicured all-inclusive resorts that have colonised the country’s south eastern flank. Wanting to explore more of the Caribbean’s second largest nation with around 10 days to play with, I chose to start in the capital, Santo Domingo. It is a beguiling city with a very different vibe from the party-central appeal of Punta Cana, yet if you have a hankering to see both, the journey between them is just a couple of hours along a well maintained and relatively traffic-free highway. A road trip - for those armed with a little Spanish is, it turns out, an excellent way to discover the Dominican Republic, known affectionately by its initials RD (DR in English). The capital, Santo Domingo de Guzman, claims to be the oldest inhabited place in the Americas and was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1496. Many of the original 16th and 17th century buildings still line the cobbled streets of the Zona Colonial and in 1990 the historic centre was designated a UNSECO World Heritage Site. Today the remaining mansions, many of which have been carefully restored and look as though they could star in a Golden Age drama, sit cheek by jowl with contemporary buildings - a reminder that we’re definitely in a modern metropolis of more than one million people. The city oozes aspiration, with new shopping malls and ice cream parlours blaring out merengue and reggaetón

from almost every speaker. It is vibrant, busy, humid and instantly captivating. The Zona Colonial has several attractive boutique hotels, but we made our base at a good value locally-run one on the edge of the business district, with a rooftop pool. It made a great base for exploring the city, which began at the Museo Trampolin, housed in a former colonial residence. Anyone curious about the turbulent history of the country - which was closely bound to Haiti for several hundred years before independence - will find plenty to absorb on the history, culture and geology of the DR.

“The city oozes aspiration, with new shopping malls and ice cream parlours blaring out merengue and reggaetón from almost every speaker. It is vibrant, busy, humid and instantly captivating.” Lunches can be long drawn out affairs - if you’re in a hurry there are lots of foodstalls dotted around but we plumped for one of the little restaurants across the square from the austere Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor. It was an opportunity to try a range of local dishes, from the ubiquitous rice and beans to the more elaborate sancocho, a type of soupy stew. It could have lasted even longer had we not been keen to see inside one of the first churches of the ‘New World.’

TR AV EL

35 We came up through the sea mist that blows in off the coast and I was resigned to missing out on the view down to the sea but the fog wafted away almost as soon as we arrived at the peak which is crowned by a giant figure of Christ the Redeemer, not dissimilar to the one in Rio de Janeiro. For the rest of the morning we roamed the summit in the company of our guide, a sinewy septagenerian who still lives in a hut on the mountain for part of the year and has observed decades of cultural and political cambio (italics). As we walked, he told us how he believes climate change has effected the plant life on the slopes - and how he once guided the notorious dictator Trujillo , when he visited the city during the three decades he ruled the DR as president or as the power behind the throne. Down below in the city, just around the corner from the pretty zocalo where nineteenth century wooden houses have been preserved, along with a traditional Victorian bandstand, we pause for ice creams while another guide recalls how the Spanish constructed the impressive Fortaleza San Felipe (its walls - three metres thick in places - and cannons proved irresistible to the younger member of our group) and how English pirates brought African slaves to Plata.

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With you in mind

Given the plain exterior, the interior is a revelation - an added attraction being the refreshing contrast to the afternoon heat outside - but we eventually dragged ourselves away to board the ChuChu Colonial, a miniature train that takes visitors on a 45 minute circuit of the surrounding area - a handy way to see a little more without traipsing around during the hottest part of the day. The following day we would leave the urban jungle to travel northwards through the mountains that run along the middle of the country. A few hours north of Santo Domingo, tucked away off an unmarked track and up a winding path which our 4WD vehicle handled easily we found an independent travellers’s shangri la - the Tubagua Eco village. 284 to 302 Waterloo Road - SE1 8RQ - London, United Kingdom T (44) (0) 207 928 4062 / h10.london.waterloo@h10hotels.com / www.h10hotels.com Tenerife • Lanzarote • Fuerteventura • La Palma • Gran Canaria • Mallorca • Costa del Sol • Costa Daurada • Riviera Maya • Punta Cana • Cuba Barcelona • Madrid • Seville • Rome • London • Berlin • Lisbon

TR AV EL

Built by a Canadian who fell in love with the country (and a Dominican lady) Tubagua is a small collection of huts or palapas, perched high on a small escarpment with spectacular views out over the valley below and onwards to the northern coastline around Puerto Plata. A night or two here may not be for those looking for absolute privacy. The wooden walls are thin and the bathrooms (with the exception of one cottage) are shared, but the genuine commitment to sustainable tourism, tiny homemade ‘dipping’ pool, roaming chickens, the friendliness of the owners and the knowledge that everything here is geared towards supporting the local economy - more than makes up for the lack of TV and power points (and the odd mosquito).

“I’d swap a cheesy resort floorshow for a sunset at Tubagua any day.” I’d swap a cheesy resort floorshow for a sunset at Tubagua any day. If we’d stayed longer, we could have hiked with a local guide to safe, natural swimming holes and waterfalls. Or done nothing at all except sit back and drink up the view. Or chase chickens. At Tubagua you have the feeling of being very remote from Puerto Plata but it is only a short drive to the coast. But we weren’t destined to stay at sea level for long. Before we knew it, we found ourselves transported again, this time upwards, skimming the treetops in a cable car as it made a rapid ascent up the slopes of Pico de Isabela, the mountain which overlooks the city of Puerto Plata which was not unfamiliar to English pirates (or slavetraders) in centuries past. As we were to learn, the northern coast of the Dominican Republic has bourne witness to a long history of

invasion from the Spanish conquistadors to the wave of arrivals - in very different circumstances - in the 20th century. Trujillo may have been a cruel leader who visited many hardships on his countrymen and women (not averse to torture, he also made each household display a plaque proclaiming “In this house Trujillo is Chief”) but the Jewish refugees - and their descendants - who found sanctuary among the former coconut plantations of Sosua in the 1940s had good reason to be grateful to him. A couple of miles down the road from the mesmerising antics of the kitesurfers who turn tricks on the beaches at Cabarete, less than an hour along the coast from Plata, I found one of the most moving monuments to Dominican hospitality ; a tiny museum, filled with photographs and records of those who escaped the gas chambers and built a new life - and a synagogue which is remains in use - under a different regime. Almost 70 years later only a tiny community remains, now outnumbered by new generations of arrivals, some of whom flit in and out having found their own spiritual home under Dominican skies.

9-13 Jun 2015

Milonga Dance

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s alternative take on this dance deeply rooted in Argentinean culture. Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 12th June

Joan Manuel Serrat: Antología Desordenada Music

Debut concert of Spanish songwriter, including a personal selection of songs from 5 decades and over 600 compositions. Barbican Hall, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS www.barbican.org.uk/music/ event-detail.asp?ID=17357 12th June

Los Chikos del Maiz Music

10th June - 20th August

Rock Sin Subtitulos presents one of Spain’s most controversial rappers who are taking London by storm. Tufnell Park’s The Dome, 2A Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HL http://rocksinsubtitulos.co.uk/ evento/los-chikos-del-maizen-londres-12-junio-2015 13th June

Leiva

Music

Rock Sin Subtitulos presents one of Spain’s most important Spanish pop rock acts during his debut UK show. Electric Brixton, Town Hall Parade, Brixton, London SW2 1RJ http://www.rocksinsubtitulos. co.uk/evento/leiva-en-londres13-junio-2015

The Motherf**ker with the Hat Theatre

Stephen Adly Guirgis’ play received six Tony nominations on Broadway. Poetic, profane and hilarious, this whip-smart look at love and addiction ﬁnds light even in the darkest corners of New York City. Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX http://www.nationaltheatre. org.uk/shows/the-motherfkerwith-the-hat 20th - 28th June

Paco Peña’s Flamencura Dance

Guitarist, composer, dramatist and producer Paco Peña returns to Sadler’s Wells with new show featuring a virtuoso cast of six-

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musicians and three dancers. Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R http://www.sadlerswells.com/ whats-on/2015/paco-pena/

9th - 11th July

The Greatest Spectacle of Lucha Libre Performance

Mexico’s iconic legends and masked superheroes gather to perform in an electrifying threeday extravaganza at London’s York Hall in Bethnal Green. Starring the finest Mexican fighters, Bolivia’s famous Fighting Cholitas and the UK’s own Lucha Britannia, the weekend will also feature wild Cabaret acts, authentic Mexican street-food and Agave cocktails. On the 8th July, two films about Lucha Libre will premiere at a dedicated film screening and Art exhibition. York Hall London, E2 9PJ www.luchalibreworld.co.uk

22nd- 28th June

The Festival of Spanish Theatre in London Theatre

Las Heridas Del Viento (The Wounds of The Wind), La Piedra Oscura (The Dark Stone) The Courtyard Theatre, Bowling Green Walk, 40 Pitﬁeld Street, London N1 6EU http://www.festivalspanishtheatre.co.uk/ 24th June

Tango Line Music

Tapiserie Nights presents an evening of Turkish Tango. Jamboree, Courtyard of Cable Street Studios, 566 Cable Street, London E1W 3HB http://www.jamboreevenue. co.uk/events/tapiserie-nightspresents-tango-line From 27th June

The Golden Dream Film

Samuel, Sara and Juan, three teenagers from Guatemala decides to leave poverty by going to the United States. After crossing the Mexican border by boat, they ﬁnd another immigrant, a tzotzil native called Chauk who does not know Spanish but is able to befriend Sara. When they arrive to a town in Chiapas, they are caught by Mexican Immigration Police agents, who steal Juan and Chauk shoes and deported them back to Guatemala. Cinemas Across the UK https://www.facebook.com/peccapics/ app_1585690095040565

JULY 3rd July

Juanes Music

The world’s leading all-Spanish

language rock artist is back in London, 2-time Grammy and 20time Latin Grammy winner with nine #1 singles on Billboard’s Latin Singles chart, this is one not to miss. Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London, NW1 8EH www.roundhouse.org.uk 11th July

Lucha Libre Performance

For the ﬁrst time ever and for one night only in the Royal Albert Hall, sixteen of Mexico’s ﬁnest masked wrestlers, lead by the legendary Blue Demon Jr, join in battle. The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/lucha-libre/default.aspx

24th June

Tango Line

14th July

20th- 25th July

23rd July

Music

Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40 Juan and his band 4.40 have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, won 2 Grammys and 17 Latin Grammys, blending merengue, bachata and bolero with Afro-pop/Latin, allowing them to gain a huge success across the Spanish-speaking world. He’s bringing his new album’s show Todo Tiene Su Hora from the Dominican Republic to London for one night only. O2 Academy Brixton, 211 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9SL www.o2academybrixton.co.uk

Irakere

World-renowned Cuban group announce their return, including the feature of founding member, cirtuoso pianist and band leader, Chucho Valdes and his 10-piece band. Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT https://www.ronniescotts. co.uk/ 22nd-25th july

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández Music

Mexico’s National Dance Company returns to london for the first time in more than 20 years for five performance only as part of the year of Mexico in the UK. London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4ES www.eno.org/whats-on/other/ ballet-folklorico-mexico

Gypsy Kings This performance is marking the first time in the career of the Kings that they have produced and written all of their material, for their 9th studio album and first new released in six years. Greenwich Music Time Festival, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London SE10 9NN http://www.greenwichmusictime.co.uk/book-tickets/ gipsy-kings-

43 AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 22nd August

Marcelo D2 Music

Brazil’s most successful rapper makes his debut appearance in London Electric Brixton, Town Hal Parade, SW2 1RJ 21st - 25thSeptember

4th Brazilian Film Festival of London Film

Best of Brazilian cinema. Odeon Panton Street, 10 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4DP http://www.brazilianﬁlmfestival.com/londres/2012/londres2012_en.html 30th & 31st August

Notting Hill Carnival Dance/Music

Streets of West London come alive during the bank holiday weekend with a Caribbean theme, Calypso music and tempting food stalls. Notting Hill, London http://www.thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com/

30th & 31st August

Made In Mexico: The Rebozo in Art., Culture & Fashion Art/Fashion

Made in Mexico explores the key role textiles have played in promoting Mexican culture worldwide from the 17th century to the present day. Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF www.ftmlondon.org

19th of September

Desorden Publico Music

Islington Assembly Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD Tickets £25 in advance from www.latinolife.co.uk/events/ desorden-publico 9 PM until late. DJs after the concert info: candelauk@gmail.com 07725368361

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