#PelangaPlaylist Jan 16 – 28

We’re now 4 weeks into 2018 so time for another playlist of the last 2 weeks of #RecordOfTheDay posts to jump start your work week.

#RecordOfTheDay “Ay Doctor!” by Bonny Cepeda Y Orquesta

Reaching back here to the golden age of Merengue, the 1980s, when Dominican music overtook Salsa on the Latin charts. Here is one of my favorites, Bonny Cepeda who was the fist Merengue artist to be nominated for a Grammy, with his 1982 LP ¡Arrasando Con Todo! He was one of best composers of the era who produced countless records for other Dominican artists. Here is on the keys with his brother Richie on vocals.

Ay Doctor!

Podcast: Kiskeya & Quisqueya

This month we visit the island referred to as Kiskeya or Quisqueya depending which side of the shared border of Haïti or La República Dominicana you live on. To lead us through a vinyl exploration of this beautiful shared musical history we are joined by former Music Director at KALX of UC Berkeley and current Latin Music Curator and Programmer at Pandora, Marcos Juarez.

marcos

Important Note: This podcast was recorded before the recent disturbing deportation of Haitians taking place in the D.R.

Pelanga en La Sala: Episode 10 – Kiskeya & Quisqueya

Rewind…

imag0198-scaled1000

At our last Pelanga this past Saturday at La Peña we teamed up with Chicano Batman for an incredible night of music and dancing. We had a blast combining our sounds and crowds. Many thank you’s to all of you who came out! 

At one point while I was deejaying I saw fellow pelanguero, DJ Papicultor give me his “oh hell yes!” look while dancing which lets me know I’m playing something special. It’s also a good indication I should be featuring it here at lapelanga.com. The song is called O.S.S. Merengue by Original Shleu-Shleu. OSS was one of the many offshoots from Les Shleu Shleu and also the most popular. Lead by maestro Tony Moïse on sax they would eventually evolve into

What I love most about this song is that it starts off in one great place, but then ends up in an entirely different place that is even better. First we get a hard hitting conga break that then flows into a classic sounding merengue, but then hold on because before you know it you’re off to San Francisco with Edouardo Richard playing a great Santana inspired guitar solo. And if that wasn’t enough they bring it all back to some Haitian rumba with sirens going off letting you know—this shit is on fire!

Enjoy!
dj pozole

Taller Pelanga

Hopefully you all aware of our upcoming Pelanga en La Peña this Saturday, May 7th. Pelangas have blessed us in many ways, one of which is the joy we get from seeing so many of you dance and lose yourself in the music. But one thing we haven’t been able to ignore is seeing so many beautiful women dancing solo. Now it needs to be said that we really love that Pelangas have a culture of everyone being very respectful — especially toward women who very much appreciate not feeling hounded and harassed by men. But men, that’s no reason to be wall flowers. We understand that dancing can be intimidating, especially with someone you may not know. But don’t worry su pelangueros are here to help, or rather Oscar De Leon (Venezuela’s most famous salsero). Here he is performing his merengue hit Juanita Morel backed by Conjunto Quisqueya. Now take note, he’s just dipping and rolling with a simple spin. Watch, repeat and practice in front of a mirror. Men, you can do this and have a line of dance partners waiting on you all night. Gold medallion is optional.
~pozole

 

“El Ron Es Mi Medicina” – Johnny Ventura

cimg0902-scaled-1000

During my recent trip to Puerto Rico my girl friend was just getting over the flu. So it wasn’t much of a surprise when I felt the early signs of a sore throat and congestion in my ears creeping in on me. That evening I went to the nearest bar and asked for the best rum they had. I was poured a very healthy glass of Trigo Reserva Aneja (a 12 year old aged rum). I’m no expert on rums, but that glass was super smooth and I made sure to take my time with it as it’s borinquen embrace coated my throat and ran down my chest working it’s magic. By the time I was walking back to my hotel room my sore throat and congestion were completely gone! And on that walk back, like the rum, Johnny Ventura‘s blazing rendition of El Ron Es Mi Medicina began to run through me and onto my lips.

El Ron Es Mi Medicina by Johnny Ventura

Ron Es Mi Medicina

I know nasty flu bugs are floating all around us these days so be sure to keep a quality bottle on hand and if you feel the early signs of el gripe try un trago de ron as your first remedy. Salud!

-Pozole