Back in the 90s, before IPods existed, I used to buy bootleg CDs off the streets of New York, three for five bucks, and I would buy a lot and after awhile I began to notice these Merengue -Dominican dance music, compilations and I began to like em and I began to follow them, moving from various artists hits of the year to individual stars CDs and inevitably live concerts.
The best of these were promoters Ralph Mercado’s annual Salsa and Merengue September Festivals at Madison Square Garden, five hour extravaganzas where I managed to see greats like Grupo Mania, Elvis Crespo, Milly Quezada and countless others. One year I saw Tito Puentes and Celia Cruz ON THE SAME STAGE, the only equivalent I can think of is seeing Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald: yes, that big.
Well, the IPOD was invented and the annual shows stopped, and I stopped buying CDs and stopped closely following Spanish music. I said closely, I know Reggaeton to a degree, but I am no longer hardcore.
And I mention this so when I say the La Mega 7th Annual Tropical Fest with Alex Sensation At Summerstage was a disappointment, I have an idea of what I am talking about. I caught three DJ sets, eleven year old wunderkind Ju5tin, who played mostly house, La Mega superstar DJ Alex who mixed Reggaeton with hip hop and dance, and DJ Lobo who was hardcore Latin American beats. None of them were bad but watching DJs has very limited appeal and the sparse turnout didn’t help with the atmosphere.
I’m guessing the lack of a big name didn’t help and I’d assume the huge September 21st gig promoted by the radio station, at MSG where Don Omar, Juanes, and Carlo Vives are playing, any of who would have made Rumsey Field an insane asylum, is the reason for it. If it wasn’t for Oro Solido’s superb pure dance and movement hour long set the day would have been a washout. I can’t remember a time when I’ve thought a slow one might help but Oro Solido were relentless; a full horn section did what horns do in Merengue they took the beat and they beat it hard and steady. New York City’s Oro Solido, lead by Raul Acosta,were brilliant, every song stopped the show, the dancing a sexy swirling whirlpool and “Maria Se Fie” the personal best.
I heard Reggaeton star Tony Dize was coming out later but half way through DJ Lobo’s set I hit the road.It is always good to see live Mernegue, and certainly I would recommend Arcade Fire take a look at how to arrange dance so it keeps on hitting and skipping the beat. It is a shame there wasn’t more bands like Oro Solido this afternoon.
Grade: B
