Tag Archives: jay perez

Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

Posted on April 29, 2023 | Comments Off on Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

New music has dropped these last couple of weeks. Good music. So, add it on to your playlists for the weekend. Enjoy!

Jay Perez – El Patron – The Voice is back with a new production backed by Freddie Records. Produced by Roland Revilla, the album’s sound and attitude takes you back to Jay’s career start after his departure from David Lee Garza y Los Musicales. Having already dropped two singles, Necesito Odiarte and La Rajita de Canela, fans were left ready to be in awe of the rest of the album, and one tune that will excite folks is Vino Maldito in which he is backed up by his old boss, DLG. No doubt, Jay’s work on two DLG albums left fans wanting more, but, alas, it was Jay’s turn to go solo and become part of the DLG alumni. Thankfully, they still collaborate, live and on tape. Other notable tunes include Anda y Ve, and a re-make of Me He Dado Cuenta. He also throws in a mariachi tune (Sirvame Otra, Cantinero) and If You Don’t Know Me By Now. It’s a consistently good work.

Los Texmaniacs f/ La Marisoul – Corazones and Canciones. I know I’ve been waiting for this collaboration for a while. The best Tex-Mex conjunto backing the best female vocalist (La Marisoul of La Santa Cecilia) has happened live a few times, but Smithsonian Folkways produced what is definitely Grammy-winning material with this album. Putting a string of classic hits on an album and done with The Texmaniacs’ unique stylings, which include strong bass lines, sweet accordian playing, and Max Baca’s pasaditas on the bajo sexto is just want we needed. Singles already released include Las Nubes, which adds Little Joe to the mix and Mucho Corazon which adds Texmaniacs drummer Lorenzo Martinez for a great duet. One tune that captures the best abilities on this production is Vamonos. But fans will also enjoy Gritenme, Piedras del Campo, Mal Hombre, and a Mujer verson of Before the Next Teardrop Falls. Check it out.

La Santa Cecilia – Cuatro Copas – Bohemia En La Finca Altozano – LSC dropped this production recorded live around a bonfire with only a few friends and special guests in attendance. Full of old songs that one enjoys with a good smooth tequila, La Santa Cecilia puts their signature sound on them. Songs like Cuatro Copas, Mi Tesoro/You’re Mine, and La Diferencia certainly show La Marisoul’s vocal chops. Other tunes, such as Almohada and Cuatro Copas (duet with Aida Cuevas), will just set ones memories off. La Santa Cecilia has a range in performance and in emotions and it really comes out.

Comments Off on Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

Posted in 2023, Accion, Cultura, DC Promo, Media, Reviews

Tagged , , , , , ,

In Honor of No Tejano…

Posted on February 4, 2023 | Comments Off on In Honor of No Tejano…

As always, the local horse and cow show has avoided Tejano music at all costs. It seems like the Grammys are avoiding it too–in a category that supposedly includes Tejano. Well, we won’t avoid it. Here are a few new tunes that have dropped recently.

The Latin Breed – Sientes Igual – As a loyal fan of Tejano music, the legendary Latin Breed is always on my playlist. With their vocalist Ben Miranda, TLB drops this horn-driven ranchera that makes you more than toe-tap. Quiero bailar! Enjoy.

Jay Perez – Necesito Odiarte – The Voice is back with a new single and an upcoming album. Penned by Eddie Perez and produced by the good folks at Freddie Records, Perez gets a new set of musicians together for this tune. And despite the new guys, the legacy sound is not lost at all–even live. Many know that Jay has been taking a short break after some maintenance surgery on his vocal cords, but after over 25 years in the biz, we all would need a tune-up. I’m lovin’ this song.

La Dezz – Anhelos – Chocked full of experience, La Dezz is hardly a new band, and they have been dropping good original music for a while. But this hit made famous by Los Aguilares and is a fitting tribute, which features Ram Herrera joining Mark and David Ledesma and Lisa Mar. Ram has included this tune in his live repertoire lately.

Rebecca Valadez – No Te Voy A Perder – Rebecca has been in the business from a young age, touring with Janet Jackson and the two itirations of Mazz. Recently, she’s been performing with Stevie D and has a single with him. But this tune, produced by Jonathan Espinoza, will hopefully put her on the map once again as a solo artist. It’s a tough business and even toughter for las mujeres. Excellent drumming from Aaron Holler, too.

Comments Off on In Honor of No Tejano…

Posted in 2023, Cultura, DC Promo

Tagged , , , , ,

43rd Festival Chicano – The Schedule is Out!

Posted on August 15, 2022 | Comments Off on 43rd Festival Chicano – The Schedule is Out!

My heart skips a beat whenever the schedule for the Festival Chicano is released. Three days of the best Tejano music in a great venue with an amazing sound system. And it’s FREE! thanks to some great sponsors, the City of Houston, Miller Outdoor Theater, and efforts of local legend Mr. Daniel Bustamante and volunteers.

The King of the Brown Sound, Little Joe has played in everyone of the festivals, except one, during his storied 60 year career. He never disappoints and the crowd will definitely sing-along. Jay Perez is currently touring in support of his Freddie Records release, El Maestro. Elida y Avante is one of the top live acts en la onda on her Block Party Tour. Pasadena’s own La Fiebre is supporting its latest album Historico and puts on the equivalent of a Tejano rock show. David Farias of the famous Hermanos Farias brings his own band while also supporting his latest album, Volando Alto. Finally, The Most Wanted Man, Ram Herrera is touring with his new band of top flight musicians and a new album, Back on Track. This is a pretty hard-core line-up ready to give folks new and classic hits.

Here’s the release from the FB event page:

The “43nd Annual Festival Chicano” is a reflection of the artistic creativity that has developed in the Chicano cultural experience after centuries of influence from native peoples, Mexico, Europeans, and the U.S.A..

Chicano music has been historically shaped by many diverse styles such as Mexican rancheras, corridos, mariachi, orchestra, tejano, conjunto, big band, rhythm and blues, country, rock and roll, and many others.

The festival is a celebration of culture through the musical expression of countless generations of artists. It is truly a unique, original American sound.

Thursday, Oct. 6

Jay Perez
David Farias Band

Friday, Oct. 7

Elida Reyna y Avante
La Fiebre

Saturday, Oct. 8

Little Joe y La Familia
Ram Herrera

All performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are FREE!

The Friday, October 7th Performance Will Also Be Livestreamed.

It’s also a ticketed event, so get yours here: http://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/get-tickets

Photo Credit: DCMedia/Stace Medellin

Comments Off on 43rd Festival Chicano – The Schedule is Out!

Posted in Accion, City of Houston, Cultura, DC Promo, Media, Reviews

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

Posted on October 16, 2021 | Comments Off on Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

Time to load up that playlist, again. There are some new singles that will soon be inching up the charts in the Tejano genre. Here are a few.

Jay Perez – Para Volvernos Amar – This tune is a soon-to-be Joe Revelez penned classic. Perez’s soaring vocals, particularly during the chorus, are exceptional. His musicians provide a fat bass line and a classic sound that Perez has stuck with throughout his solo career. Give it a listen. The R&B harmonies are amazing, too.

Chente Barrera – Senorita Cantinera – As previously posted, Chente recently released an homenaje to the legendary Primo, Roberto Pulido y Los Clasicos. All those Pulido classics some of enjoyed on our sister’s 8-track player are on this release. And Senorita Cantinera is still a classic as Chente powers through through highs, much like Pulido did in the 70s.

La Fiebre – Cuidala – I had previously added this one to the playlist, but now, it has an on official video from Freddie Records. With it’s tough horns, melodic acordeon, and that sweet rhythm guitar, it’s a tune worthy of a Latin Grammy nom. And the whole album was nominated. Check out the vid.

Comments Off on Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

Posted in Accion, Cultura, DC Promo, Reviews

Tagged , , , , ,

The Newest in Tejano Music

Posted on July 24, 2021 | Comments Off on The Newest in Tejano Music

Obviously, if you need the best day-to-day news about Tejano music and culture, you should visit Tejano Nation. But I have my favorites, too, and some of those faves have been releasing new material. Here are a few that hit my radar (and Spotify playlist):

Jay Perez – The Voice is back with an amazing production, El Maestro. Along with that voice is a team of musicians and songwriters who helped put together something to enjoy from start to finish. The first single, Eres, is a Perez-penned tune that keeps that legacy sound we all expect. Cumbias, like Mi Duena and Aun Te Extrano give Perez a whole new dimension, but it is Norteno-lite tunes like Juan Trevino’s Ya Se Fue and Entiendo that will surely expand his audience into Mexico. My fave, though, is the Joe Revelez-composed Para Volvernos Amar, with Jay’s soaring vocals. It’s a must-have!

La Fiebre – Speaking of legacy sound, The Pride of Pasadena continues to offer up that rock-tinged Tejano sound with Historico. The trumpets are as strong as ever, backed up by strong bass lines, guitar rhythms and powerful drumming. The first single, Mendigo, written by the legend Freddie Martinez, Sr., gives you that Borracho de Besos feel, while their newest single, Cuidala, takes you back to that No Cure era where the sound really took off. Cumbias like Mira, with its rock guitar and soaring trumpets should definitely become a crowd favorite.

Gary Hobbs, David Marez, Joe Posada – Onda Chicana big band, La 45 (produced by Mike Torres, III and John Ontiveros) back up three vocal legends of la Onda Tejana on this Hector Gutierrez-penned tune, Querida. Each voice has its own quality that, when put together, creates something special. The only question: Where’s the rest of the album and tour? And, yes, Posada provides some excellent sax riffs and solos.

Shelly Lares – What is said to be her final album as she heads into retirement, LMD82 celebrates Lares’ 40 years in La Onda Tejana. Little Miss Dynamite explodes with some horn-driven rancheras and cumbias. Salsipuedes spent most of the pandemic earning airplay, as well as Por Amor. Enamorada, though, seems to be my fave. The album offers up multiple samples of her genre-defying versatility, including a duet with David Marez (Mi Persona Favorita) and a quartet, the mariachi-backed, Nada De Ti, featuring Lares and up and coming female vocalists, Sonja de la Paz, Monica Saldivar, and Demmi Garcia. The newest trio-version of Mil Besos is a treat, too. In conclusion, Don’t Retire Shelly!

All of these are available on all platforms, but give a musician a lift and buy the tunes!

Comments Off on The Newest in Tejano Music

Posted in 2021, Accion, Cultura, Reviews

Tagged , , , , , ,

40th Annual Tejano Music Awards Winners

Posted on December 23, 2020 | Comments Off on 40th Annual Tejano Music Awards Winners

Song of the Year – Ahora Sigo Yo – Stevie D

Male Vocalist – Jay Perez

Female Vocalist – Shelly Lares

Album – Jay Perez – 25th Anniversary Contigo

Conjunto Album – Los Desperadoz – Calm Before The Storm

Collaboration – Shelly Lares and Ernestine Romero – Estupida

Best New Male Artist – J.R. Gomez

Best New Female Artist – Monica Saldivar

Best New Group – J.R. Gomez & The Conjunto Bandits

Video – Stevie D – El Primer Tonto

The TMAs are usually a fancy affair with red carpet arrivals, live performances, interviews, and all that, but 2020s pandemic forced the usual crowd of Tejano Music fans to watch it from their couches at home. Thanks to the Texas Talent Musicians Association and FIERRO HD Radio, the TMAs went on virtually with live nom and winner announcements from radio personalities Johnny Ramirez, Bo Leo Gonzalez, and Bo Corona, along with pre-recorded performances from performers like Gary Hobbs, Jay Perez, Shelly Lares, Isabel Marie, Monica Saldivar and others.

Along with the celebratory awards, fans were offered a Selena tribute video of one of her Astrodome performances, an amazing rendition of America the Beautiful by various artists, and a heart-wrenching In Memorium to remind us of all those industry greats lost this last year.

All in all, I enjoyed the festivities. I didn’t have to rent a tux, I drank hot cocoa in my jammies, and connected my laptop to the big TV. I’m all for virtual concerts right now and I am in no hurry to run into an unmasked crowd at a club. Kudos to Bino Gaona of TMAs for reminding us to Mask Up, wash hands, and to distance so that we can head back toward some sort of normal.

Congrats to all involved and congrats to all the winners and nominees.

Also, just want to say that I picked Jay, Shelly, JR, and Los Desperadoz in my TMA nominee post. So, I guess I still know my Tejano talent.

Tejano Nation has a more comprehensive look at the event.

Comments Off on 40th Annual Tejano Music Awards Winners

Posted in 2020, Accion, Cultura, DC Promo, Las Mujeres, Media

Tagged , , , , ,

TMAs Announce Their Top 5

Posted on December 4, 2020 | Comments Off on TMAs Announce Their Top 5

The Texas Talent Musicians Association, which produces the Tejano Music Awards, announced the Top 5 nominees in each category. There were some surprises, at least for me, but I do have my favorites.

I’m of the opinion that Jay Perez’s 25th Anniversary Contigo album, which was a Grammy-worthy (and nominated) production of actual new tunes, is the best of its kind in a long time. Of course, Jay Perez’s vocals are unmatched in the industry. I’ll also give a nod to an excellent collaboration, Ayer, featuring Shelly Lares and J.R. Gomez. Oh, and Los Desperadoz’s Calm Before the Storm was a pretty damn good Conjunto album, too! But, hey, I let them know by voting, along with thousands of other fans.

Anyway, here are the nominees and good luck to all of them. The winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on December 19, 2020. Stay tuned!

Comments Off on TMAs Announce Their Top 5

Posted in Cultura, DC Promo, Media

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

2 DC Reviewed Albums Earn Latin Grammy Noms

Posted on September 22, 2016 | Comments Off on 2 DC Reviewed Albums Earn Latin Grammy Noms

tejanolatingrammynoms2016As my friends at Tejano Nation posted this week, the Latin Grammy noms are out, and in the Tejano Album category, two DosCentavos reviewed albums are nominated. Maybe they read my stuff, maybe it’s because the albums are just that good, but congrats to Ram Herrera (VMB Music Group) and Jay Perez (Freddie Records) on the nomination.

On Ram’s Mucho Mas Que Amor:  I’ve got to admit:  When I read the announcement that Grammy winning producer Gilbert Velasquez and Tejano great Chente Barrera partnered up to form VMB Music Group, I expected them to produce some amazing material, but Ram Herrera’s Mucho Mas Que Amor is one of those productions that has staying power.

On Jay’s Un Amigo Tendras:  Tejano crooner Jay Perez is back with his long-awaited release, Un Amigo Tendras. After riding the radio waves with the title track, a smooth sax-driven cumbia, we get to enjoy the other 11 tunes. That’s right–12 tunes on this Freddie Records release. Produced by Mario Ortiz, this new production really hits the spot.

Both albums get some serious rotation on “Radio DosCentavos,” AKA my car stereo.

Also gaining a Latin Grammy nomination are LA’s La Santa Cecilia for Buenaventura for Best Pop/Rock Album.

Congrats to the nominees. The Latin Grammy telecast will be on November 17.

Comments Off on 2 DC Reviewed Albums Earn Latin Grammy Noms

Posted in 2016, Cultura, DC Promo, Reviews, Uncategorized

Tagged , , ,

DC Reviews: Jay Perez ~ Un Amigo Tendras

Posted on April 20, 2016 | Comments Off on DC Reviews: Jay Perez ~ Un Amigo Tendras

jaypTejano crooner Jay Perez is back with his long-awaited release, Un Amigo Tendras. After riding the radio waves with the title track, a smooth sax-driven cumbia, we get to enjoy the other 11 tunes. That’s right–12 tunes on this Freddie Records release. Produced by Mario Ortiz, this new production really hits the spot.

Perez seems to be going for a more laid-back vibe on this release as one notices a different feel to the introductory ranchera, Cuentale De Mi. No, Perez hasn’t abandoned the formula he uses to produce music, but this CD seems to offer up a smoother R&B feel; especially on his rancheras. He Venido A Decirte is an acordeon- and bajo-fueled ranchera that is sure to be a favorite. Quiero Amarte, though, is that standard ranchera with which Perez has earned his reputation. Hasta El Fin Del Tiempo and El Adios Es Asi are both beautiful tunes, especially the latter with its slow acordeon intro. Perez also offers a re-make of a previous hit, Me Sigo Acordando, but with a mellow feel. 

Perez still has a knack for those smooth, R&B-laced cumbias and No Se Me Olvidan will rank as one of his best. Of course, Perez is also known for his powerful ballads and La Ultima Vez proves to be a beautiful anthem to love lost, along with Ya No Puedo Verte. Perez also returns to his country roots with You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This.

Perez and the band close strong with Tu Fiel Amante, which seems to be the next single on the production. The keys, acordeon, and a more than audible guitar give this ranchera a strong foundation.

Kudos to Freddie Records and to Jay Perez for offering up a classy production for the fan base. Always offering a great live show, there’s no doubt that these tunes will sound strong in a live set. Get your CD today through most online music stores.

 

Comments Off on DC Reviews: Jay Perez ~ Un Amigo Tendras

Posted in Cultura, Reviews, Uncategorized

Tagged , , , ,

Latin Grammy Tejano Noms Announced

Posted on September 24, 2014 | Comments Off on Latin Grammy Tejano Noms Announced

There are a lot of categories in which the Latin Grammys nominate performers, but DosCentavos really only has one favorite:  Best Tejano Album.

Officially, I only reviewed one of the nominees (Jay Perez), but later on, I discovered Chente Barrera’s production, which included an all-star list of guest vocalists. Needless to say, they are my two favorites on the nominees list, with Grupo Alamo featuring former Musicales vocalist Mark Ledesma and Jimmy Gonzalez with great efforts. I’ll have to give Lares a listen, since it wasn’t on my radar, but one song I found is pretty darn good, too.

And the nominees are:

¡Viva Tejano!
Chente Barrera
Label: Q-Vo Records
 
Forever Mazz
Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz
Label: Freddie Records
 
Seguimos Soñando
Grupo Alamo
Label: Ro’ Records
 
De Mi Corazón
Shelly Lares
Label: Shellshock Records3
 
Anthology Back In The Day (DosCentavos Review)
Jay Pérez
Label: Freddie Records

Samples below the fold:

 

 

 

Continue reading →

Comments Off on Latin Grammy Tejano Noms Announced

Posted in Cultura

Tagged , , ,