Search - Orquesta la Palabra :: Breakthrough

La Palabra really is THE WORD in salsa!

Cassandra Wilson | CA | 11/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! What an amazing CD!! I recently discovered La Palabra's music after reading about it in Billboard Magazine and wow, I've been missing out! I love this CD - I just can't get enough of it. In fact, after listening to this CD I went out and bought his previous CD "On Fire". (Another CD that truly won't disappoint) and now, I can't wait to hear what he comes up with next! La Palabra's music is a MUST for every salsa lover's collection. His trademark blend of romanticism and energy is truly a magical formula indeed! La Palabra really is THE WORD in salsa!!"

La Palabra sigue en talla!

Isabel Pantoja | Manhattan, New York | 07/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My name is Isabel Pantoja and I'm a Cuban-American from NYC who is very in touch with my AfroCuban roots and salsa from the United States and let me say, the music on Breakthrough is exactly what La Palabra is all about - nothing like any other salsa artist's music and great to dance to.

La Palabra had an enormous impact on salsa in New York when he came out with the song Lady. It was the first song, I recall, to combine romanticism with salsa and have English lyrics. I loved it just like everyone else. In fact, that song was played numerous times in the clubs each night - just like I'm Going to Shenzhen is when I travel around the world - which I do periodically for my business. (And by the way, Europeans love the slow tempo of Tun Tun de Tu Corazon.) I am a very avid fan of La Palabra because he goes outside of the salsa box and maintains his quality.

I remember listening to Orquesta Aragon when they did a combo song called El Charleston which combined cha cha cha with the Charleston. I also remember our great, Beny More when he combined the big band American sound with Latin music. Both artists brought a new flavor to our music.

For the lady in Hollywood, Florida, perhaps you need to go do some research about our music before you go writing negative reviews about our artists who are keeping our music alive and making the whole world dance.

"

Only a couple of good songs

Cari Cabrera | Hollywood, Florida | 07/18/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am confused as to what Orq. La Palabra is trying to do and where in salsa they are trying to fit? I'm a Cuban American woman from Cuba so salsa is not something foreign to me. This is definitely not Cuban style salsa and it's not Puerto Rican or Colombian either. Although he is a good pianist, I was surprised to learn that La Palabra is from Cuba. Technically he has what it takes to be a Cuban musician, but he has lost the Cuban style. I was also shocked when I read somewhere that the other singer on breakthrough, Gonzalo Chomat is also a Cuban exhile. I left Cuba less than ten years ago and I have never heard of Chomat. The band is based in California so I would have guessed he is from Mexico. Chomat has also lost the Cuban style. He doesn't sing like a Cuban at all. California is not Cuba or Miami, so it appears Orq. La Palabra is trying to soften up or lose the hard Caribbean edge and sell themselves to California Latinos -- very different style from east coast Latinos. I guess with such boring songs that we hear in elevators and in doctor's offices, like "Feelings" and "Lady" this band is trying to sell themselves not only to California Latinos, but also to American English speaking audiences, however there is only one Miami sound machine. Before they go any further with this, they should enroll the second lead singer, Chomat in some English classes first, he is hardly understandable on either American song. "I'm going to Shen Zen" is a complete waste of time and will make anyone think that Orq. La Palabra should please leave hip hop to those who can do it right -- like Snoop Dog and M&M.The album is not a total loss however, two very good dance songs are El Temblor and Ahe Ahe. On these songs the band plays the harder energetic salsa the Caribbean is known for, and they show that they are good musicians, they just need to stop pimping themselves so hard and recapture their Cuban roots.If you buy this CD don't forget to burn the two good songs on it for your salsa dancing pleasure before you give it away to a coworker at the office Christmas party."