Super Sonido

I couldn’t find much information about Grupo Mayor, but I do know that the song Te Ves Buena was written by Panamanian reggae artist Edgardo Franco, aka El General. Although reggae en español had been around for a while, El General had scored one of its first international hits with this dancehall tune. When I lived in Nicaragua in the early 90’s, this form of early reggaeton was blowing up all over Central America. There probably wasn’t one country where I didn’t hear this song or ones like it – even Banda Vallarta Show did their own banda version. On a side note, I did recall that reggae en español would only be played at house parties after the parents left or weren’t around. As insinuated by my cousins,  the music may have been too risque in Nicaragua for the time – I never understood that one.

Anyway, just wanted to thank everyone who helped out with the February 45 sessions: Adam Dunbar, Marcos Juarez, Eamon Ore-Giron, Oliver Wang, Alex LaRotta, and Cameron Thompson – thanks a ton guys!!! Gonna talk a break from the site for a while, but if you need anything at all please feel free to bother me – sonidofranko@gmail.com. Enjoy!

1. Grupo Mayor: Te Ves Buena

2. Banda Vallarta Show: Te Ves Bien Buena

There probably isn’t much more I can say about Mexico City’s electro-maraduer Memo Rios. Basically he made a living ripping off 80’s techno cover songs, all the  while butchering the lyrics to his own personal Chilango likings. Nevertheless, this is my third article about him, so I do give the man credit where credit is due. Even though I feel that his music is just ok – I personally respect his abstraction of this genre of music. And the more I find/listen to these recordings, the more I am convinced that Memo Rios is more conceptual artist than plagiarist. Tacos yes, sandwiches no!!!

– Sonido Franko

1. Memo Rios: Technotaco

I guess I could provide you with more content, but this song really defies all explanation. No? Enjoy!

1. Memo Rios: Memocotorreo

To be quite honest with you, during the 80’s, I was never really a big fan of pop music. It never spoke to me. But my music preferences have evolved and still do to this day. And with the passage of time, now that my music tastes have matured, I can say that I still do not like this type of music.

What I don’t understand  is that this sound is making a bit of a comeback. Remove the whole hipster neon-generation ironic thing and you are still left with music that is hit or miss. But with all negativity removed, maybe I should just take it for what it is – its ok…I suppose? I have friends from Mexico City and Tijuana who usually tend to go ape shit over this kinda stuff. So the nostalgia factor is something that I totally understand – but it’s not for me.

Besides Leo Dan, most these acts hail from Mexico, trying to cash in on some sort of new-wave music hysteria that captured the US in the mid to late 80’s. Byanka probably had the most success with her Madonna cover. It’s interesting to see that Grupo Latino even pooped out the Italo Disco favorite from La Bionda. But probably my favorite cut out of all of these 45’s is Morgan’s Que Bonita Baila (how beautiful you dance) – nice break on that. Anyway, like I said, hit or miss. Enjoy!

P.S. = Tomorrow O-Dub from Soul Sides is dropping an article. Stay tuned – the music is very very nice.

P.S.S. = For Erika

1. Byanka: Chica Material

2. Morgan: Que Bonita Baila

3. Grupo Latino: No Tengo Dinero

4. Naomi: Tocamela

5. Leo Dan: Leo Rap

There is no other song I know that exemplifies the popular techno banda style more than Grupo El Mexicano’s No Bailes De Caballito. This song is kind of a classic in the genre and still gets radio time to this day. In fact, I probably would have guessed that the song was written yesterday, rather than in 1992. Which really demonstrates the longevity the Banda sound has had in mainstream Mexico. Just don’t play this song too loud in Arizona, you might get deported.

To be honest with you, I’m not a huge fan of banda music, but these few tracks really stood out for me. Banda is more or less the fusion of Norteño music with larger brass instrumentation, fiery orchestras, larger hats, and matching suits. Techo banda however seems to take it a step further opting for synthesizers rather than tubas. Grupo El Mexicano rock synthesizer guitars. This music got really popular in the early 90’s and with that came a series of dance crazes like the quebradita – a dance, which at times, looks more like gymnastics.  

I tossed in the super fast track from Banda Guadalajara Express, which has a less techno sound than the first. But I couldn’t help think about the similarities between Banda, Merengue, and Perez Prado. Maybe it’s the kinetic break neck speeds and the matching outfits. I’ll definitely explore the Perez Prado influence in the next post. Enjoy! 

1. Grupo El Mexicano: No Bailes De Caballito

2. Banda Guadalajara Express: Anda Borracho El Buey

Nacho Cheese: a form of processed cheese mixed with peppers and other spices which is often used in place of  REAL shredded cheese in institutional or large-scale production settings, such as schools, movie theaters, sports venues, whore houses in Tijuana, night clubs in the Zona Rosa, or wherever using freshly grated beats & breaks may be logistically prohibitive. Such processed cheese is referred to in the United States as “nacho cheese”, or just “queso“. Originally formulated as a cheaper and more convenient source of cheese to top nachos. Unlike many different types of cheeses, “nacho cheese” bears no geographical indication or other regulated guarantee of ingredients, process, or quality, beyond the general legal definition for cheese products as established by Supersonido.net

1. Memo Rios: Muy Delgada ( Ice Ice Baby )

2. Memo Rios: En La Discoteca