LA EXCELENCIA: Salsa con Conciencia

La Excelencia

Salsa con Conciencia

© 2006 Jose Vazquez & Julian Silva (837101241144)

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New York Times - Ranks this CD as Highly Recommended. It takes just a note or two to hear that La Excelencia is different. This is unprettified salsa dura, with the percussion cranked, lots of breaks, the voices loud, almost distorted. It’s unapologetic,

notes

LaVoz Magazine
Ok, so here at LaVoz we normally like to review the classics because in many ways, those old school rhythms were the swinging ones that embodied that true meaning of what we call 'salsa' music. Not this time folks! New York city's newest and most explosive band called "La Excelencia" is making sure people know their name. Their new album "Salsa Con Conciencia" is a testament to the original flavor from the 70's with a millenium generation twist. This album hits hard and just about every Dj in the salsa scene is starting to realize this. The first track, "La Lucha" is a nice tempo tune with a strong trombone line and great breaks that will make you happy you decided to dance it. This band definitely shows off their versatility through-out the album with other great tracks like "La Salsa y el Guaguanco," and "El Hijo de los Rumberos." But let's not forget what also makes this album special. During a time of social and political change, the young Excelencia brings you music with meaning, concrete lyrics that will also stimulate your mind. From the first time it went into the CD player we were sold, be another believer and get this album asap! - Chris Soto (Executive Editor)


New York Times
It takes just a note or two to hear that La Excelencia is different. This is unprettified salsa dura, with the percussion cranked, lots of breaks, the voices loud, almost distorted. It’s the sound of a tough working band, the sort that used to be everywhere in New York and now are rare to find. It’s unapologetic, and unafraid of its tradition, and the cd’s staying in my player for a long time. The real deal doesn’t show up that often, and here it is. Celebrate it. Highly Recommended. - Peter Watrous


New York Daily News
Ever heard of salsa dura? (hard-core salsa)? La Excelencia's debut album fits right into the Golden Age of the genre, back in the 70's. The percussionists José Vázquez-Cofresi and Julian Silva are vying to put an end to what they consider "salsa monga" (bland). With an enthralling swing, well-crafted harmonies, powerful horn arrangements and lively percussion, "Salsa con Conciencia" features lyrics that reflect the life in the barrio. Drug deals, high-speed car chases and an array of urban topics make this a rather unique debut album particularly appealing to the younger generations of New York Latinos. - by Pablo Calvi


Latin Beat Magazine
These young-bloods are the real thing. - Rudolph Mangual (Publisher, Editor-in-Chief)


Univision
"La Excelencia are fabuloso (fabulous)!" Tom McGarrity, President for Univision (Network Sales) New York

reviews

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  • “Salsa con Conciencia” is a masterpiece!
    author: Eric González

    This is a production that I have been waiting with much, but much anticipation, since I listened to one of their songs some time ago. “Salsa con Conciencia” is a masterpiece, in charge of a group of musicians who in their totality have named themselves “La Excelencia” -- and that they are. This orchestra represents a New York that refuses to die, composed by a new generation of salseros young people who take pains in maintaining the torch of the salsa ignited in the Big Apple. “Salsa con Conciencia” represents that and more. Really, really, really. This superb compact-disc displays eleven powerful tracks to us, of which I will say little, because all, absolutely all, are powerful and leave us more then satisfied, especially the salseros de la mata, and those of us that have a clear vision of what really is known as salsa dura. The CD starts with “La Lucha”, an intelligent number that speaks to us on the corrupt districts of New York, where it is still necessary to escape to be able to live healthily. When listening this subject, we immediately realize that these boys are the real thing, and don't stupidly abuse the digital technology that's available to them. This it is the abrupt and strong sound of New York salsa. This track is repeated also at the end of the CD, with the intervention of raper Shanny, in an adjustment that perfectly houses salsa with rap. Another track that I can't clear out of my mind is “El Loco”, who speaks to us on that one personage characteristic of our barrios. I must emphasize the excellent vocal work of René Leslie and Edwin Perez, who sonean like the great ones. “Salsa con Conciencia” has everything what I enjoy and admire about salsa dura, and it's New York style: aggressive moñas, good soneos, strong percussion, piano with feeling, and much more. My good friend Rudy Mangual, of the Bible of the salsa, Latin Beat Magazine, said to me he saw that them live, and that they sound like the bravos in the times of the salsa boom. I do not doubt it. This is the school and I hope, with all my heart, to listen to their next recording. Amen. (EEG)

  • Love It!
    author: victor m carmona

    My kind of music!

  • Smokin Salsa
    author: Elwin Gomez

    La Excelencia is excelent. Their sound and new arangements is refreshing. I highly recomend this album. As soon as I heard the first few notes I knew I had to have this cd.

  • HOT! CALIENTE!
    author: DJ Emilly "La Taina"

    I am so glad I decided to buy this CD. It CRANKS! I will definitely being playing this CD throughout different clubs/salsa venues. Definitely for the hard core salsa lovers...it doesn't matter if you're just listening to music or dancing you will really enjoy this.

  • THE FUTURE OF SALSA “LA EXCELENCIA”
    author: Administrator

    Their music is completely new, exceedingly upbeat and thus far holds true to Salsa and the Latino culture. The slogan called out by lead vocalist Edwin Perez is “Salsa con conciencia – Salsa with conscience.” This is not only a slogan for the group, but a constant theme expressed in all their sons’ as well. The leaders of La Excelencia Julian Silva and José Vazquez-Cofresi want to write music which is not only for dancing but funny and serious. This was plainly showed in track 1 “La Lucha,” the fight, where it deals with the struggles of the Latino community and it’s never ending fight to better one self. In track 3 “Sentencia,” sentence, explains a story of a man who is arrested for being with an under age girl without his knowledge. Even as the song may come out as a humorous story, it is written to teach the lesson without experiencing the horror of the event. Lets’ not forget their love songs, as track 4 “El Tiempo En Tu Manos, track 2 Solo Sin Amor and track 6 Estoy will satisfy any lovers call of expressing his or her love and pains caused by this crazy little emotion we call love. La Excelencia is a fairly young group in age and time together but don’t let that discourage you they play the best clubs in the Mecca of salsa, New York City. In my opinion La Excelencia is a group that their CD does them no justice, due to the energy, soul and life generated by the group when they are performing live. The raw talent displayed by this group may only be found in groups that have being playing together for numerous years or by veterans of 10 or 20 years. The way the group continuously moves the crow cannot be describe with words but has to be seeing in person. You will find the vocals of Edwin Perez & Gilberto Velasquez to be voices that reaches deep inside, and with the horn section just as great, you can’t stop yourself from dancing to their outstanding beats. The mastery of Willy Rodriguez on piano, Charles Dilone on bongo and bell, will leave you in an absolute ah by the end of the show. La Excelencia is a group with a brilliant future and it will behoove you to see them performed live and see the future of Salsa with a conscience. A new style of Salsa is on the horizon and just be hoping you don’t miss it.

  • Enthralling swing, well-crafted harmonies, powerful horn arrangements and lively
    author: New York Daily News

    Ever heard of salsa dura? (hard-core salsa)? La Excelencia's debut album fits right into the Golden Age of the genre, back in the 70's. The percussionists José Vázquez-Cofresi and Julian Silva are vying to put an end to what they consider "salsa monga" (bland). With an enthralling swing, well-crafted harmonies, powerful horn arrangements and lively percussion, "Salsa con Conciencia" features lyrics that reflect the life in the barrio. Drug deals, high-speed car chases and an array of urban topics make this a rather unique debut album particularly appealing to the younger generations of New York Latinos. - by Pablo Calvi (NY Daily News)

  • obra de arte, a nivel musical de la letra y de la composición
    author: dj la caimana (lille France)

    un disco muy denso en calidad y es muy difícil eligir cuál de los 11 títulos es el mejor. Cuando escucho "la lucha" se me pone le carne de gallina. "Solo sin amor" tal vez sea uno de mis favoritos en su estilo. Es un disco perfecto para bailar y escuchar. Gracias por crearlo!

  • Ritmo galore!
    author: Les Salsarican Rivera

    A new salsa band... has been injecting a fresh breeze into the rather quiet live salsa scene of New York City lately. Inspired by the great maestros of the classical salsa heydays of the 1970’s New York, percussionists Jose Vazquez-Cofresi and Julian Silva decided to form a new band, which they named “La Excelencia”. The band features young artists, appealing to today’s new generation of fans, while performing salsa dura (hardcore salsa) music with a positive social message built into the lyrics. Their debut CD "Salsa Con Conciencia" (Salsa With a Conscience) delivers 10 original tunes, showcasing the versatility and depth of the band. The tracks kick in with powerful arrangements of free-flowing horns and lively percussions. La Excelencia’s “in-your-face” style of hard core salsa translates into ritmo galore!”

  • This will be a collectors item! "WHAT A BAND"!!!
    author: Eldus

    La Excelencia knows how to do salsa music right! If your like me you have bought a cd for 1 good song and have gotten burned with the rest. Well not with "Salsa con Conciencia" every song is EXCELLENT!! The CD has a bit of everything, guguanco on the tune "La Salsa y el Guaguango, bolero-cha on "El Tiempo en tus Manos", a descarga on "Hijo de los Rumberos" and the rest is just fantastic salsa dura for DANCING! The single "La Lucha" is an awesome tune, like and the majority of the songs speak about social issues. This will be a collectors item! This band has been called the hope of salsa! I have had the privlage to see them live and just like anyone who has all they can say is, "WHAT A BAND"!!! - Eldus.com

  • The Salsa CD of the year 2006 -2007!!!
    author: Dj Michael

    This is it! The real thing! "Abel Delgado’s" wrote an article on “Making Salsa Dura Harder”, which speaks of what is lacking in bands that claim to be so called, "salsa dura"! Then a few young unknown "wild" musicians from New York, put down an absolutely ingenious CD. Although the CD was completed and distributed before "Delgado’s" article mentioned above, they unconsciously nevertheless took good heed of many points, which Delgado specified. For example: Avoid redundant Cover versions - it does not make much sense (particularly for the singers) with old classical author (like e.g. Ruben Blades) to be compared. Often one loses this comparison inevitably! Always own compositions are better and if one cannot do that, one inquires with good composers. Which in the case of these CD was not necessary - all pieces are self-compositions. thus explodes Salsa! For example: “Write Songs that Mean Something”. Tell stories to do those with the life have or with the music. Authenticity, which is it which the Salsa is sometimes missing. And one gets here directly in the first Song "La Lucha" - a genuine Barrio Song (like also "El Loco", which is in the Barrio on the way to its wife). And to who the hard lyrics of "La Lucha" is not enough, yet set you for the end of the CD with a remix of the same song with an additional shot, “Street Credibility”. Normally I find Reggaeton in Salsa hard to bear - here the rap by Shanny - Fits even though I prefer the version without Rap. But back to the lyrics. History of the salsa music had comical tunes and like this is the addition of "Sentencia" Ingeniously the insertion of the suitable noises. Recreating, comical Salsa! And there are pure music topics like wise on the CD to have: "La Salsa Y El Guaguanco", "Boogaloo Pa' Colombia" or "Hijo Del Rumberos". Naturally there is also the usual romantic song. For me the most beautiful: "Cada dia". Here it is however not the lyrics, which excite me, but the circumstance, as one can pack drive and power correctly into a song with little speed. The arrangement of the Songs is so simply nevertheless so memo-rapid. The percussion is it, which is to be heard well and clearly and which here - like also in the other songs of the CD - the fat nearly diagonal trombones for the perfect sound and volume. Evenly not arbitrary. The sound is plain, direct, loud, without blaring, honestly! The CD reminds me a little of the young Willie Colon, in addition, also La 33. Their trademark for me however is the really hard struck Congas (also skillfully played and well mixed into the foreground). Immediately with the first note one hears on the Cd - you notice it is different! A new generation is at the work. Even though neither La Excelencia or Delgado knew of each others opinions of they completely agree at the conclusion: Have fun! Exactly, and the CD is plentifully! Result: For me the Salsa CD of the year 2006 -2007!!! - Editor: Dj Michael, (November 2006)

  • Strong recommendation!
    author: Latin Vibe (Korea)

    "Salsa Con Conciencia" is a strong and powerful salsa CD. La Excelencia is an active salsa band from New York City, which created this wonderfull album. They aim to be the best salsa CD, with tight music for the dance floor. We await the next project of La Excelencia with open arms. Strong recommendation! - Editor

  • Wepa! El CD esta tremendo!
    author: Signey (DJ Azucar)

    Ya lo he tocado en par de eventos y la respuesta de los bailadores fue bien buena. Mis temas favoritos son Sentencia, La Salsa y El Guaguanco y Hijo de los Rumberos. Algo que tambien me llamo la atencion mucho y me parecio excelente es la lirica de sus temas y como narran alguna historia, lo cual ya no es tan comun en la salsa de hoy dia.

  • "La Nostalgia por la salsa del Barrio Nueva Yorkino"
    author: DJ Gary Dominguez de Colombia

    Para los salseros que mitificaron el Barrio como pulmon vital en la creación de la salsa en los 70 con ese lenguaje de calle y el sonido de "truck" de los trombones de Colon y Barry Rogers , aparece en plena explosión del "reggeton" en Nueva York, un modesto piquete identificado como LA EXCELENCIA. Gente joven con ganas de hacer salsa clásica y reivindicar su sonido ,mensaje social y festivo en el uptown de Manhattan, por los predios por donde no van mucho los turistas del Parque Central. En pleno siglo XXI cuando hay todas las posibilidades de grabación digitalizada el piquete LA EXCELENCIA saco un sonido "agrio" y "aspero"( intencionalmente) que tanto atrapo a una generación y que ahora el mismo Barrio lo pide a gritos en un momento en que la mayoria boricua esta siendo desplazada por la minoria centroamericana que trae consigo su lenguaje,gastronomia y su música bien distante de la "aguerrida salsa" de la 110th. LA EXCELENCIA con su sonido 70, siempre desafiante alboroto la nostalgia del melomano cuarenton e hizo reaccionar al joven rapero que nunca se acerco a la "salsa romantica" de final de siglo con los nenes bonitos y las chicas plasticas y ;la que desafortunadamente la radio comercial mostro como unico norte y futuro de la musica tropical bailable, descuidando el Caribe,vetando las opciones que salian de Cuba para Europa (la timba,el songo) y escondiendo la realidad del Barrio que a pesar de que tenga nuevos vecinos venidos del sur, sigue enfrascado en los mismos problemas cotidianos de sobrevivencia, droga, desempleo y criminalidad. LA EXCELENCIA con su simpatica leyenda en la caratula (parental advisory:salsa dura), vino con sabor, buenas intenciones,"lucha" y juventud a alborotar "la nostalgia por la salsa del Barrio Nueva Yorkino". Altamente Recomendado! - Popular Colombian DJ:

  • This disc is a 100% rocker.
    author: DJ GURY GURY

    La Excelencia's new CD is the best CD to come out this year (So Far). When I first put the disc I thought I was listening to a recording from the classic days of Salsa. From the opening beat of la Lucha this disc is a 100% rocker. La Excelencia swing like it's 1972. My favorite tracks are la Lucha and La Salsa y El Guaguanco. This disc is going to burn up the dance floors across North America. Highly Recommended. If you buy only one CD this year make sure this is the one. Que Viva la Salsa Dura!!!!!

  • best salsa album of the year
    author: carlos santiago

    talent like jose vasquez's and the rest of la excelencia cannot be duplicated, only imitated

  • el cd muy bueno y ayuda a renaser la salsa de nuevo y con sabor.
    author: mariana

    me gusta mucho porque puedo bailar salsa y mi cancion favorita es "sentencia" porque son cosas que pasan enla vida real.tambien me gustan la "lucha" porque nos dices la cosas que pasan en nuestros paises latino .

  • Very hardcore swing that is as tuff as a box of steel nails.
    author: David Ortiz

    This is a New York salsa band with some very hardcore swing that is as tuff as a box of steel nails. This release takes a new generation of salseros to the next level. Recommended to me a by a good friend from the west coast’s San Fransisco area (thanks DJ Nik) and now I highly recommend it to you, if you really love salsa that is.

  • La Excelencia's cd "Salsa con Conciencia" described in one word: AWESOME!
    author: Pietro

    WOW! WOW! WOW! La Excelencia's cd "Salsa con Conciencia" can be described in one word: AWESOME! This is really great music especially tracks 2. Solo Sin Amor, 3. Sentencia and 5. La Salsa y el Guaguanco. The Cd will be on air in the next few days and it will be the new "NUMBER ONE" TOP CD of Radiovinilemania in Italy!!! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

  • Esta orquesta deverdad sera el futuro de nuestra musica salsera
    author: Cali Rumba

    Noy hay que hablar tanta papa de La Excelencia. Lo que ay que dar le gracias a Dios que una orquesta al fin llego a dar al mundo de nuevo salsa dura y salsa de la gorda de la buena. Esta orquesta deverdad sera el futuro de nuestra musica salsera y los veo como los que llevaran la salsa asia la juventud de nuevo. "Salsa con Conciencia", el album de La Excelencia esta tremendo, te puedo honestamente decir que no e escuchado un album como este desde los 70's. Pero lo mas chevere de todo que La Excelencia son jovenes que se visten juvenil, y vienen con un estilo propio para dar su salsa con saoco al mundo. Lo mas que me gusta de esta album es que las canciones son bailables y las letras son super original. Los cantantes de La Excelencia son Edwin Perez y Rene Leslie, que se botan y le esenan al mundo que todavia nacen los soneros. El snecillo del album esta titulado "La Lucha" ahi Edwin Perez muestra su abilidad de sonar y de cantar. Rene Leslie canta "El Tiempo en Tus manos" una cancion escrita por el que tiene un swing y un coro que es pegajosa. Los arreglos de "Salsa con Conciencia" fueron echos por el maestro Julian Silva. Los compositores de los temas son Jose Vazquez-Cofresi, Rene Leslie, y Julian Silva. La Excelencia es la orquesta mas popular. - Editor: Calirumba.com

  • This CD is for all the tastes... Absolutely to have in your cd collection.
    author: Dj Latino (Italy)

    Finally a CD of optimal hard salsa that find a nich also between the lovers of "the modern" salsa. This is the first album for this orchestra of New York that comprises eleven tacks loaded with energy And rhythm to dance too with the style and flavor of the New York salsa during the '70's. In "Salsa con Conciencia" we find beautiful guaguanco "La Salsa y el Guaguanco", a Boogalu (but however with sonorità a salsa), and a different version of La Lucha done as a remix with rapper Shanny and one descarga "Hijo de los Rumberos". This CD is for all the tastes... Absolutely to have in your cd collection. - Editor: Dj Sal

  • CD has ten new wonderful and obviously full of rhythm (danceable tunes)
    author: SALSA.IT

    Oohhh...finally not! homenaje to..., not! medley of... but a group that has a good salsa dura, gorda sound. You see few bands that really grasp the first salsa sound of the '70s. "Salsa con Conciencia" has ten new wonderful and obviously full of rhythm (danceable tunes) full of salsa, including a guaguanco and descarga with 'Hijo de los rumberos'. The cd also contains a bogaloo (however “salsato”) “Pa Colombia” and the rmx of “the Lucha” with rapper shanny adding a little rap just right but not losing that '70 sound. Here therefore is an incredible, beautiful and finally innovative album for the lover of classic salsa and the modern salsero - Distributed nationally in Italy, the album is the start of a great idea..! - Editor: Roberto Rabbi

  • These young-bloods are the real thing!
    author: Latin Beat Magazine

    Those who witnessed up close and personal the "Salsa Explosion of the 1970's" in New York City and Puerto Rico remember and agree that the majority of the musicians and bandleaders were mostly youngsters in their late teens and early twenties. Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Larry Harlow, and Ismael Miranda, to mention a few, were young musicians experimenting with the new urban sound of salsa.Now, inspired by the masters of salsa is this new group from New York City that goes by the name of "La Excelencia." Percussionists Jose Vazquez-Cofresi and Julian Silva formed the band, featuring a young ensemble that would appeal to their generation, while performing and creating "salsa dura" (hardcore salsa) with a positive social message. This debut CD "Salsa Con Conciencia" (salsa with a conscience) delivers 10 original scores, showcasing the versatility and depth of the band. The tracks swing with beautiful harmonies and powerful arrangements of free-flowing horns and lively percussions. Lead vocalists Rene Leslie and Edwin Perez command the spotlight with arresting readings full of social messages that enlighten the listeners to everyday situations in peoples' lives. Tasty choruses complete each track, delivering high-octane rhythms, without losing essence and true roots of salsa. Check out the tracks La Lucha (featuring guest rapper Shanny), La Salsa y el Guaguanco, and Boogalu Pa' Colombia. These young-bloods are the real thing. - Editor: Rudolph Mangual, (November 2006 Issue)

  • The real deal doesn’t show up that often, and here it is. Recommended.
    author: Descarga.com

    It takes just a note or two to hear that La Excelencia is different. A group made up of younger salsa musicians, it plays raw and hard, with none of the sweetening that gunk up pop salsa. This is unprettified salsa dura, with the percussion cranked, lots of breaks, the voices loud, almost distorted. It’s the sound of a tough working band, the sort that used to be everywhere in New York and now are rare to find. It’s unapologetic, and unafraid of its tradition, and the cd’s staying in my player for a long time. The real deal doesn’t show up that often, and here it is. Celebrate it. Highly Recommended.

  • author: DJ Ry@

    I really like this one. Very original sound, haven`t heard that for a while. I think this album will be a huge hit, probably the best release of 2006.

  • A Salsa Dancer's Dream!
    author: www.salsafix.co.uk

    If you only buy one salsa cd this year, make sure it's this one! I challenge anyone to listen to this while keeping their feet still. There are no fillers on this album and although sometimes I feel a little cheated when there are two versions of the same song on a cd, both versions of 'La Lucha' earn their place on this one and I wouldn't want to be without either. Every track should fill the dancefloor and it's hard to pick a favourite from such an excellent collection but I will say that it is fortunate that 'La Salsa Y El Guaguanco' has a long introduction, you're going to need that time to hunt down your favourite partner and drag them onto the dancefloor :-) It's a corker!!! This truely is salsa with a conscience!

  • These guys are awesome! But this CD now!
    author: lanena411

    This CD is awesome. If you are a true salsa fan, you have to buy this CD!

  • this is one of the best salsa cd's i have ever heard
    author: luis de la rosa

    this album by la excelencia is the best i've heard in about a decade. they are taking it back to the fania all star days but with a modern twist. the roots are definately there. world watch out for la excelencia they are bringing salsa back and strong. i wish them luck with this album.... buy it, it's worth it.

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