Tag Archives: vmb music group

DC Reviews: Los Chamacos ~ Este Momento

Jaime y Los Chamacos are back with their next album on the VMB Music Group label, Este Momento. Much like their first album, this one is packed with rancheras and cumbias, new material, and some golden oldies that put JyLC on the map.

The album starts off with rancheras, Mi Cariñito and an oldie, Mi Muñequita. Already memories of dances and concerts at nightclubs, Sea World, and even that huge concert at the UT Erwin Center I once attended in the 90s are returning. Decades and line-up changes later, JyLC have not lost their touch. Jaime de Anda’s accordion style is still among the most recognizable in La Onda.

Their newest hit, though, is a hard-driving cumbia titled El Embrujo, featuring DJ Kane, which should keep club DJs happy and will be a live treat, too. The oldies, though, keep sending us reminders of our dancing days, and El Complejo does not disappoint. JyLC fans do get a new treat with Este Momento, as Jaime de Anda and Destiny Navaira belt out this ranchera, assisted by Destiny’s brother Rigo on bajo sexto. Raulito and her late Tio Emilio are certainly proud.

Los Chamacos’ cumbias are still much enjoyed, so, Esta Güerita and Me Importas Tu will will definitely fill that cumbia need. The latter was once recorded in the 90s and features some nice bajo sexto (Roel Joslin) and accordion dueling. Volvio El Tormento was one of my favorites and is delivered very nicely, along with another ranchera, Pobre Corazon. Finally, the album closes with Jaime’s Favorites, an instrumental medley of polkitas, another specialty of Jaime’s.

Jaime has always ensured a good line-up of musicians, and this one is no different. Los Chamacos are:  Jaime De Anda, Eduardo (Chato) Ordonez, Roel Joslin, Ruben Mendoza, Gilbert Fierros.

Congrats to JyLC and VMB Music on another great production. Get your copy today.

 

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.

DC Review: Ram Herrera ~ Mucho Mas Que Amor

ramherrera-muchomasqueamor1I’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.

What do I mean by staying power? Well, in the case of Ram Herrera, it brings back memories of his ’84 Dancebuster album and some of his 90s hey day productions–tunes that are still popular and make much of the crooner’s repertoire. The Tejano artist who got his start as the frontman for David Lee Garza y Los Musicales and made famous Cuatro Caminos still has the voice decades after hitting it big.

After being on big labels during the 90s hey day, he went through a few indie labels and finally arrived at VBM Music Group. I must say that this new production is among his best–from Track 1 on through to 11.

Kicking off with Eres Mi Todo, a standard ranchera, Herrera sets a foundation for the album–all Tejano. The acordeon-heavy Donde Estara will get one on the dance floor. The first single (and videoDC ) is Dime Si Estoy Loco, with a familiar Ram Herrera cumbia sound and with a pretty awesome guitar break.

With these tunes, the groove for the album is set, and the addition of a ballad (Yo Te Amo), another cumbia (Alejate), a country tune (I Wonder If She’s Still in San Antone), and some pretty powerful rancheras (Los Años being my personal favorite), and Herrera and his musicians knock it out of the park. With the help of some great acordeon and some powerful guitar breaks, Herrera’s latest should be a contender for a Grammy. That said, kudos must go to Grammy winning producer Gilbert Velasquez and VMB.

Yo Te Amo, with its trio style, backed by horns, is a beautiful ballad, while one particular ranchera made famous by Selena Amame Quiereme, was made available to Herrera who makes it his own. Rounding out the tunes are Te Necesito, Angel De Mi Querer, and Porque Dios Mio.

Already in demand, VMB released the album for digital download (I went to CDBaby.com), but it will be available for hard-copy orders on Tuesday, July 14. Get yours today! You will not be disappointed.