New Stuff[hide]
Resenas: Vacilón Santiaguero (Circle 9 ...
Staff: Bill Tilford
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2024 Monterey Jazz, P...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2024 Monterey Jazz Fe...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : testing 123
Grupos: Pupy y los que S... : Discography - 1995- F...
Reportes: From The St... : Cubadisco 2...
Reportes: From The St... : Jazz Plaza ...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : Irakere 50th Annivers...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : Irakere
Resenas: Joey Altruda Presents: El Gran ...
Timbapedia: 09. Interviews -... : Carlos del Pino ...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2023 Monterey Jazz Fe...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2023 Monterey Jazz Fe...
Photos of the Day [hide]
SpanishEnglishRenacer
CD Review: Renacer by Alex Bia (Independent Release 2014)
Review by Bill Tilford, All rights reserved
Renacer is the debut, self-produced release of singer-songwriter-keyboardist Alex Bia, who was born in Matanzas, Cuba and moved to the US at the age of seven (he now lives in New Jersey). He has previously appeared in recordings by Chein Garcia Alonso, and during the past two years he has appeared on several television programs on the East Coast.
The CD opens with the explosive Timba track Levantense, which features special guest Tirso Duarte on vocals. There are three other strong Salsa tracks, one Salsa/Charanga mix (Pa'lante Mi Gente) and a Salsa/Pop Fusion song (Pequeña Flor). There are four Latin/Pop/R & B tracks, and although this style is not part of this writer's regular diet, these sound very well done, and the recording closes with a nice ballad (Ayer Y Hoy). This is very well - (but NOT over-) orchestrated. The Salsa and Timba tracks are excellent and deserve airplay (this has already happened on some radio stations as of this writing). All of the songs are original compositions of Alex Bia except for the final track, Ayer y Hoy.
This is an excellent debut recording by Mr. Bia, and we understand that a tour in support of the CD is forthcoming.
Alex Bia's website is www.alexbia.com
Tracks:
Levantense
No Me Digas Que No
Renacer
Dame lo que quiero
Por Nuestro Amor
Pa'' Lante Mi Gente
Regresaria Por Ti
Pequeña Flor
La Cafetera
Soledad
Este Ritmo
Ayer y Hoy
Personnel in Renacer
Role - Instrument | Name |
---|---|
Leader, Keyboards, Piano, Lead Vocal | Alex Bia |
Piano | Osiri Martinez, Flor Fitzgerald, Alfonso Cayon, Juan Rodriguez |
Bass | Luis Planco, Alfredo Scottie, Roberto Mosquera |
Guitar | Luis Polanco, Alfredo Scottie, Mario Arencibia, Josepth Luisi, Orestes Rodriguez |
Percussion | Chembo Corniel, Sue Hadjopoulos, Manuel Alejandro, Gene Golden (chekere) |
Timbales | Joe Rodriguez, Nelson Diaz |
Bateria | Mike Luisi |
Trumpets | Eudy Fernandez, Leo, Victor Bara |
Trombones | Victor Baro, Jeff Bush, Stalin Rivaneneyra |
Sax | Carolina Stressmeyer, Al Acosta |
Guest Vocals | Tirso Duarte (Levantense), Pedro More (Este Ritmo), Chein Garcia Alonso (Ayer y Hoy) |
Coros | Alex Bia, Chino Prinze, Michelle Kelli McCloud, Joe Davila |
Executive Producer | Alex Bia |