Reviews & Quotes
“….They play like sunlight bursting through rainclouds.”
- Michael Hochanadel, Schenectady Gazette
“…I have never seen an act that so accurately reflects a culture´s music and yet targets a mainstream audience, combining education with exciting entertainment.”
- Karl S. Brunig, The Chronicle
“….their masterful performance is a testament both to the burgeoning popularity of the music and to the indomitable skills of the band.”
– Mike Curtin, The Post-Star
“…when the concert ended and the musicians began to stow their instruments, the audience arose and began a gradual sound that turned into a tidal “more, more !”
– John Kochalka, Springfield Recorder
“…the moment I will cherish most was watching people of all cultures and colors dancing, transfixed by the Latin rhythms of Alex Torres & the latin Kings.”
– Don Wilcock, BLUESprint
“…but all the problems melted away when Torres and his amazing group took to the stage and began to play.”
– Michael Lisi, The Gazette
“…thet deserved, in every conceivable way , the screaming standing ovation they received at the close of their set.”
–Paul Rapp, Metroland Magazine
“…this isn´t a band or a record, it´s a mission.”
–David Malachowski, Metroland Magazine
“…the perfect balance between rhythm and melody adding some adventure, just slightly dissonant but always a delicious experimentation to the mix just to keep things interesting.”
- Greg Haymes, Times Union
“…if you ordered a combo of this sort at the drive-thru, it would have to be GO LARGER !”
– Ben Ohmart, “LA”Ritmo
“….during the most rhythmic and popular pieces, watching some of the audience was like watching spectators at a tennis tournament – their heads swivelled back and forth as they tried not to miss any of the action either on the stage or alongside it.”
- Elaine Fankonis, Dance Scene
“….their diversities ignite in a mass musical love affair that passes
contagiously to the world.”
– Kitty Montgomery, Saugerties Daily
Review of 25 to Life
This week we feature: Alex Torres Y Su Orq. "25 To Life". Celebrating 25 years bringing fun to the masses, from Amsterdam NY, this gang of musicians play everything. If you missed them at the Rochester International Jazz Festival this past summer, you missed a great show. The same high energy they bring to their live performances, is displayed in this production. The high-octaned merengue "Baila Merengue", and all the salsa tunes are all great for that special dancing party you've been planning to do. Now, the tunes are not your regular lovey-dovey tunes where they talk about how, when and what to do with love.
The titles are reflective of the fun atmosphere the band provides. Check out "La Ropa Esta En El Baul" (The clothes are in the trunk), the double entendre "Lo Tiene Para'o Mi Compay" (Hard to translate but something like "it can't stand up"), the socially-conscious english salsa "King Cash" and the merengue "Viernes Social" (Social Friday). This author's favorite is the rustic-acoustic "Comenzemos el Vacilon" with guests Mundo Nuevo, and then the band's answer on "Con Nuestros Amigos".
Kudos to Sammy Negron for his ability to handle merengue and salsa tunes. Also check out the liners where all the members of the band have their smug shot taken. A Party CD bar none! Vaya Alex te la comi'tes y felicidades en tu aniversario de plata!!
Recommended!! Find it at Alex Torres website. www.alextorres.com
http://esencialatina.typepad.com
Javier Rivera
Host, Esencia Latina
Jazz 90.1 FM
Review of 25 to Life
The new album by Alex Torres & His Orchestra displays the ultimate leap in respect to it's production. Sixty five minutes in length - apart from the merengue on track 2 that I totally love - here's a well presented, brand new music of salsa of ultimate quality plus a remix of "La Ropa Esta En El Baul" in the style of reggaeton.
Very danceable, splendidly arranged and interpreted, their style of New York salsa is carismatically fulling but with the good taste of music.
This is truly a great production which is also represente by it's cover and artwork which depicts a spirited orchestra in a courtroom with the police, attorneys, and a judge sentencing them. Cool ! So Cool ! Distributed for now only through www.cdbaby.com hopefully soon by an Italian distributor.
- Roberto Rabbi - Bologna, Italy
Thanks for all the hospitality we have received at many venues and festivals:
Bellayre Mt. Folk Fest, NY
Bethlehem Musikfest, PA
Big Band Festival, NY
Binghamton Latin Fest, NY
Burlington Latin Fest, VT
Erie Jazz Festival, PA
Festival San Juan Bautista / CT
International Food Festival (w/Tito Puente) - NY
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, MA
Jazz and Art Saugerties (JAS) Festival, NY
Jazz in the Square Festival, Syracuse NY
Johnstown Folk Festival, PA
Kingston Jazz Festival, NY
Kingston Latin Festival, NY
Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF), NC
Lincoln Center, NYC
Mango's, OK
Master Musician's Festival, KY
Montreal Jazz Festival, Canada
Newburgh Latin Fest, NY
NYSOMH, Washington, DC
Ommegang Beer Festival, Cooperstown NY
Passaic Latin Festival, NJ
Pittsfield Jazz Festival, MA
Rochester Jazz Festival, NY
Sugarloaf Music Latin Jazz Festival
University of Texas Gala, McAllen, TX
Vermont Arts Exchange, VT