Daddy Yankee

It´s unfortunate that Daddy Yankee is the poster boy for reggaeton in this country. It´s even more unfortunate that he took this album as an opportunity to declare himself the Big Boss (of reggaeton, one would presume), mainly because the shortcomings of El Cartel: The Big Boss wouldn´t be as…

Amaury Gutierrez

Sometimes life´s trials and tribulations help musicians produce their best work. The source of Cuban troubadour Amaury Gutierrez´s pain is unknown, but its fruits are draped all over his new album, Pedazos de Mi. Although the album´s theme is of a man still in love and carrying a broken heart…

Kristeenyoung

The first time Kristine Young, frontwoman for, um, Kristeenyoung, was summoned to meet Morrissey, she was summarily ejected from his Rome recording studio. ¨His producer for his last record videotaped one of our shows at the Delancey [in New York]. Over in Rome, where they were making the record, he…

Ozzy Osbourne

What is Ozzy now, 100 or something? You´d think the old coot would call it a career rather than further tarnish his legacy. Like most icons past their prime, though, maybe he just doesn´t know when to say when. He´s clearly saddled by idiots. Why else would he choose to…

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Somewhere Hector Lavoe and Celia Cruz to name a couple are smiling, and probably jamming as well. And Oscar Hernandez should no doubt feel a sense of accomplishment. Hernandez, the founder and pianist for salsa ensemble Spanish Harlem Orchestra, recently set out to maintain the charged fusions of Afro-Caribbean rhythms…

Harry Connick Jr.

This is not a disc by Harry Connick Jr. the suave, Frank Sinatra-like crooner or even the jazz pianist (who studied with Ellis Marsalis, father of Wynton and Branford). Instead, audiences are reintroduced to Connick the arranger/bandleader conferring a tribute to his native New Orleans on his latest disc, Chanson…

Julie Black

So the blues is supposed to be a man´s world, right? Aside from the fact that most recognizable blues stars have always been men, the music itself is often dark, sultry, and not easily associated with the female voice. While all of that is true, when you come across a…

Deep Purple

Which would you rather see: a concert appearance with the septuagenarian rockers from Deep Purple, or a performance of the band´s legendary ¨Smoke on the Water¨ featuring 1,683 guitarists (which happened in Kansas City last month)? At least one has a whiff of unpredictability to it. Like any good 1970s…

Village People

When it comes to pop culture, few groups in history are as recognizable as the saucy gay disco group, the Village People. Knock them if you want, but they´ve got legions of fans all over the country and dress better than you do, so don´t hate. Hits like ¨In the…

Off the Hookah

300 SW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale 954-761-8686 Off the Hookah has been in business since May, and although the set-up seems to be in place, the confusion that comes with a newly opened bar is all over the place. But it´s nothing a ¨Please Seat Yourself¨ sign — or the…

Concert Preview: Rey Ruiz at Escape

A gravitating presence, charismatic flair and enchanting voice. Those are just a few of the traits Rey Ruiz devotees will be treated to when the Cuban salsero takes the stage at Escape (inside the Howard Johnson, Hialeah) on Saturday night. Ruiz hits Miami on Saturday Fresh off making the rounds…

Last Night: the Police at Dolphin Stadium

Photo by Jeffrey Delannoy Better Than: Every other large-scale concert of the year so far. The Review: Believe the hype. It’s not often I’ll say that. But last night’s Dolphin Stadium stop of the Police megatour revealed a band so technically assured and connected onstage, even after a 21-year break,…

KRS-One’s Step-Son Commits Suicide

It was hoped to only be a rumor but reports now confirm that legendary rapper KRS-One’s step-son, Randy Parker, was found dead. Preliminary reports suspect that Parker committed suicide. Depression and mental illness are believed to be the reason behind the alleged suicide. Read more about the story here. The…

Lovin’… Is What I Got

Oh, the glory days of Sublime. Regardless of the season, Sublime made summer time party music that could put a smile on anyone’s face. And it’s perfect for these hot days we’re all experiencing right now. It’s a shame the lead singer didn’t live long enough to capitalize on the…

Throwback Tuesdays–Bulls on Parade

Alright, if you’re like me, hearing the news that Rage Against the Machine are playing shows together for the first time in 7 years is huge. It’s been too long since Rage put out a project, and rumors of a new album coming out toward the end of this year…

Cedric Gervais on Pure Pacha

Wondering what you’re missing in Ibiza this summer? Following, a couple interviews with some of this summer’s residents at megaclub Pacha. First, hometown hero, Space resident Cedric Gervais. Interview after the jump…

Last Night: Heroine at Amendment XXI

Better than: Attending the mullet infested and fanny pack wearing Lilith Fair. The Review: Amendment XXI recently opened a weekly Friday night party for the “new progressive woman,” a.k.a., a lesbian free for all. The event was colorfully titled Heroine, as in a female hero, and featured a pool table,…

Last Night: American Idols Live at BankAtlantic Center

American Idols Live July 6, 2007 BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL Better than: Watching the show Photo by Lauren Papiernik Hours before the American Idols Live show at the BankAtlantic Center I was standing in the rain trying to find my way into the arena. At the last minute I found…