Song of the Day: Casa Mexicana – Fanko

Posted on 14 January, 2018 by Mayitzin

Plástiko was a young ska group of the new Rock wave originated in Mexico in the last 30 years. This band, originally from Jalisco, released 5 studio albums since their debut in the year 2000, being “Mondo Groovy” the most successful.

Sadly, after some years they split and each person followed a different path.

But recently three original members reunited for a new project called “Fanko”, which rescues the sounds of Plástiko, and adds musical maturity, along with fresh instrumental voices. You can easily notice their renovated vibe.

Today I was listening to a new song: Casa Mexicana. It is definitely an experiment, a lively mash of sounds with the familiar voice of Jaffo Lara, and the funky lines of the Santillanes brothers. It is an excuse to dance and shake the booty, while listening a homage to the Mexican nature, the untamed land and its balanced existence with the original inhabitants. Too hippie? Just dance it then. It won’t hurt 😉

Song of the Day: Suavecito – Malo

Posted on 29 July, 2015 by Mayitzin

The Santana Brothers. Many have heard of one of them mainly: Carlos. He is the superstar with millions of followers and a big influence in the Latin-Rock-Jazz-Blues scene.

Well the other brother, Jorge, is another talent that moved to the US with his brother to pursue his dreams. And he did it, but on his own way.

Jorge Santana founded his own band in the early 70’s, Malo (band), and also took part in the movement that ultimately shaped the modern Latin Rock.

Suavecito is a melodic sound with jazzy tones and a nostalgic duo between a soft voice and an energic guitar pulling some harmonics in the background.

This song became the biggest hit of the band in 1972 and turned the eyes of the world to Jorge Santana. Sadly the group disbanded in 1974 and no further compositions were made during the 70’s. Later on, on 1981 they re-united but has rare appearances.

In the 90’s the Santana brothers took part in some projects together, but none of significance. Nowadays, what we still have and cherish from Jorge is this beautiful song.

Opera: Tijuana style

Posted on 18 January, 2014 by Mayitzin

Ciudad Juárez, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa… what do these cities have in common? They are border cities, where the violence in Mexico exploded due to the War on Drugs that devastated the northern part of the country.

Tijuana is precisely one of those cities that felt it heavily, but today teaches us a very nice lesson. Since years (even before the War on Drugs) Tijuana was world-known for its careless way of life. Alcohol, drugs, women, nasty streets and tough night life were part of the imagination when someone imagined the city.

The inhabitants, however, never lost their faith and found new ways to fight that feeling. As true Mexicans, they knew that violence cannot be stopped with more violence, and thus fought it the way they knew: sing and smile.

The Tijuana Cultural Centre and their young talents decided to give hope and draw smiles in its inhabitants with their own version of street Opera, a movement that has been seen previously in Europe, but a movement that Tijuana needed to gain energy and encourage their people to not give up and live peacefully. Did it work? Too soon to say, but oh boy! truly inspires.

Continue reading →

Song of the day: Granada – Agustín Lara

Posted on 31 December, 2013 by Mayitzin

Aaahh, Agustín Lara! that romantic skinny, also known as “El flaco de oro” (the golden skinny). One of the most prolific composers of his time.

Worldwide known is the way he composed in the name of love (specially that impossible love) with masterpieces like Solamente una vez, María bonita, Piensa en mí, etc.

But also very well known is his love for Spain, where many of his songs are specially dedicated to its cities: Murcia, Madrid, Valencia, etc. becoming the songs that are now part of their heritage.

However, there is one song that stands out: Granada. The favorite of many tenors and one of the most sang worldwide. Why? Power, I would say. Granada is passion and courage, is the voice of love for our land, love for our people. Granada is a proud moment to sing for ourselves.

My personal choice was to put Plácido Domingo‘s version. No better tenor could feel this ‘mestizo’ passion than the one born in Spain and raised in Mexico.

Día de Muertos: Tips to enjoy the tradition

Posted on 1 November, 2013 by Mayitzin

Probably you know a bit about this tradition due to the curiosity about the “celebration of Death”. Well, Death is a topic with different points of view in the world.

As a Mexican there are many things that still surprise about this festivity, mainly because it is celebrated in different ways all along Mexico. Oh yeah, last year I made a video with the historical background and main topics of it. I recommend you to watch it before proceeding with the lines below.

I assume that you now understood that Mexicans are not celebrating Death, in the same sense that we are not having parties to say good-bye to our beloved dead. Continue reading →

Song of the day: Gimme tha Power – Molotov

Posted on 31 October, 2013 by Mayitzin

Molotov is one of my favorite bands. My favorite Spanish-speaking band for sure.

Oddly, the only times that I’ve been to a Molotov concert were in Germany, during their European tour. But I don’t complain, the concerts were vibrant and full of energy, like their songs. Damn! I was even able to jump with them on the stage and had some words before and after the show.

But anyways. Mexico has been involved in many political disturbances and its social movements are a clear way to observe these several demands from all over Mexico.

What I like from Molotov is that they are totally apolitical, so have more energy to talk crap about everyone in politics.

This is one of their most famous songs, and almost an hymn that has trascended through all Latin America. I truly believe, that many inhabitants from Tijuana to Tierra del Fuego feel very identified with the lyrics.

This is a powerful invitation of Molotov to take the streets and demonstrate against the dirt in Politics: Gimme tha Power.

Continue reading →

Songs of the day: Mambos

Posted on 3 September, 2013 by Mayitzin

Haters gonna hate. As told before, Dudamel is one of those guys that either you love him or hate him. I personally love him.

He is not the orthodox musician that comes and works with precision every time. He likes to give life and to give colors to the music. Huh, I really don’t know how to explain it, I just got out of words suddenly.

Here you have a great performance and sample pieces of Mambo, a very well-known music genre of Cuba. Many composers have taken this genre and put it into big masterpieces.

Dudamel and the Youth Orchestra Simon Bolivar perform many Mambos from Perez Prado and “Mambo” from Leonard Bernstein.

Who says orchestras are not to dance?

Song of the day: In the summertime – Mungo Jerry

Posted on 2 September, 2013 by Mayitzin

Summer is escaping from Germany and the cold breezes are felt in the evenings. And to celebrate that I leave you with this hit of the cheerful Mungo Jerry: In the summertime.

First time I heard it I think I was 12 or so. It was one of the song that inspired me to make an Incursion into music. You can easily notice why. All right! Summertime, see you soon!

This too shall pass – OK Go

Posted on 29 August, 2013 by Mayitzin

Perhaps one of the most inventive Rube Goldberg machines that I’ve seen. This video went viral time ago and still receives tons of hits a day, having so far over 40 Million (as of August 2013).

The machine was designed during months by OK Go and Syyn Labs, a company that now creates all kind of similar visually impressive projects. Go check them out!

And now enjoy the music and put attention on every step of the machine progress, it is quite imaginative and entertaining to watch.

Song of the day: Ciel, che feci – Guiseppe Verdi

Posted on 20 July, 2013 by Mayitzin

Two weeks ago I was in one of the best concerts ever in my life. I got my ticket since early February and it was one of the last ones. That event is one of the most famous in Munich. It is part of a complete weekend with classical music.

It’s called “Klassik am Odeonsplatz”” that literally means “Classic at Odeonsplatz”, which is a square in downtown Munich surrounded by beautiful architecture and a nice atmosphere. It takes place every summer and the most remarkable artists of classical music perform in an Open-Air concert.

This year was awesome not only because Yannick Nézet-Séguin was directing the orchestra and Thomas Hampson was the leading Baritone, but also because my favorite tenor Rolando Villazon gave one of the most powerful and amazing performances I’ve heard from him. And yeah, I was there.

The final duet with Hampson and Villazon singing Verdi’s “Dio, che nell’alma infondere” was stunning. But, for me, what really got the night was the final solo performance of Villazón, when he stood in front and sung “Ciel, che feci” from Verdi’s Oberto. And it’s obvious that he was going to sing Verdi, as nowadays he’s promoting his latests work, which goes around him.

Huh! I have goosebumps just remembering. Amazing, that’s the word to describe his interpretation. After that I just stood up and burst into applause with all my energy. But stop reading about it. Watch his great performance in the following video from 13:38.

Bravo!