Monday, February 23, 2009

Alacranes Musical



Although this 8-member band got together in 1998, it wasn’t until 2003, with the release of their first album, Furia Alacranera, that the band started to get some real recognition. But it was with their 2004 album A Cambio de Que that they became a regular on Mexican radio and slowly becoming a household name.

Alacranes Musical (in English meaning musical scorpions) are inspired by the music from Durango, Mexico. Their music is known under the genre of duranguense.

The members include: Oscar Urbina, Rene Urbina, Memo Ibarra, Chris Urbina, Hector Urbina, Rudy Avitia, Eric Urbina, and Omar Sanchez.

Wasting no time, Alacranes Musical released a third album in 2005 entitled 100% Originales, that made it to the Billboard’s Top 200.

Because releasing three albums in three years wasn’t enough, Alacranes Musical toured around both Mexico and the United States making appearances in anything from dancehalls to festivals, gaining in popularity.

The band released their fourth album in 2006 called A Paso Firme. This record sold more than any of their previous albums as well as securing the number one spot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican chart. Alacranes Musical produced two other albums in 2006.

In 2007, they released their hot single, Por Amarte Así, which was later featured on the release of their album Ahora y Siempre, which reached number one on the Billboard charts. Their album Ahora y Siempre was also nominated for a Latin Grammy.

2008 was also a big year for the group, releasing their single Dame Tu Amor, as well as their album Tu Inspiración.

Alacranes Musical just released their ninth album on February 17 of this year. This album, Alacranes Musical Live- en Vivo Desde México, is a recording of them playing live.

Now known all over the world, the group hasn’t slowed down a bit. Still touring around the world, they continue to write new and inspirational music that has touched the hearts of so many.



All of their music is available on iTunes.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Upcoming Concerts

Looking for a concert to sway to the lively beats of Latin music? Here are some great upcoming concerts in Tucson that can definitely get you up off your feet.

The B-Side Players are playing this Friday, February 20 at Plush at 10:45 pm. The B-Side Players are a nine person band that has been together since 1994. Formed in San Diego, the band is known for their exploration and experimentation of sounds, regardless of their origins. They currently have two albums out, Movement, which was released in 2001, and Fire in the Youth, released in 2007. They also have a single out, entitled Nuestras Demandas. All their music is available on iTunes. You can buy tickets at TicketWeb.com.



Kinky is performing on Friday, February 27 at Club Congress. Kinky is a five member band from Mexico who has been together since 1998. They released their first self-titled album, Kinky, in 2002, and just released their sixth album entitled Barracuda in 2008. Though they are a Latin band, they are heavily influenced by techno and rock music. (Music available on iTunes.)



Also check out Lila Downs, performing at Centennial Hall on Saturday, April 11. Downs writes most of her own music, drawing inspiration from music of native cultures such as Maya and Nahuatl. She has released eight albums since 1994, including two DVDs that she released in 2006 and 2008 showing her performing in a series of concerts. Her music is also available on iTunes.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Grammys

The Grammy Awards is one of the most prestigious awards that you can receive in the music world. They recognize all genres of music, from rap to country to soul. However, last night at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, there seemed to be a lack of recognition for Latin and Latin inspired music and artists.

The show was entertaining, featuring artists like U2, who opened the show, or Paul McCartney performing a classic Beatles song. British artist M.I.A. teamed up with all star rap cast Lil Wayne, T.I., Jay-Z, and Kanye West. Country group Sugarland also performed. But there wasn't any performances by a Latin group.



Though the Latin Grammy Awards have gotten more and more popular since it first started in 1997, there seemed to be a lack of acknowledgment of Latin music at all in last night's Awards ceremony.

Country music has their own awards show, the Country Music Awards (CMAs), and yet country music artists both won awards as well as performed at last night's show.

Not one Latin group was even nominated in any category in last night's show.

Latin music has been recognized in the Grammys before, so it seems to beg the question, why not this year?

Monday, February 2, 2009

Keeps Getting Better

The Latin group Wisin & Yandel paired up in 1995, but it wasn't until 2000 that they began releasing their own albums.

The two Puerto Rican natives released their first album in 2000, but it wasn't until 2007 with their album entitled Los Extraterrestres that the two went platinum in their most successful album to date.

In 2008 the duo went on tour, wanting to expand their market as well as promoting their new album Los Extraterrestres: Otra Dimension, on which they added six extra tracks to the original album.

The two began teaming up with award winning artists such as Nelly Furtado, R. Kelly, and Enrique Iglesias.

Their single Sexy Movimiento, released in October 2007, was a huge hit and has been rated four and one half stars out of five by customer reviews on iTunes. Their most recent single, Me Estas Tentando, released late 2008, is still hitting the charts and is currently the number nine most downloaded Latin song on iTunes, receiving five out of five stars by customer reviews.

Wisin & Yandel have been very active in both their musical careers as well as in their social lives. In 2008 they won four awards in the Premios Juventud 2008 awards ceremony for their music. They have also participated in different Puerto Rican parades and campaigns against drunk driving.

Wisin & Yandel are currently working on their seventh album which is called La Revolución, and is expected to be released sometime in May of this year.

Many of their songs, albums, and music videos are available on iTunes. You can also check out YouTube to see their music videos for free. You can also check out their blog.