Buscando Fiesta

The perfect music for those searching for a party! I have blogged about my love for Angel Viloria's older-styled merengues multiple times, but this might be my new favorite song from his conjunto.

Merengues for January

Jemima Pierre tells it like it is on BAR for their December 31st show on the racist Dominican Republic's government, the horrible corruption of Martelly (and his illegal dealings with Dominican politicians and elites) and the vast gold deposits of Haiti. As usual, poor Haitians are sold out while Haitian elites side with whoever they can to sell out and exploit the black poor. In other news, I am also becoming more and more of a fan of Dominican merengue. Check out "Una mujer de color" by Angel Viloria (my guy) and "Felix Cumbe." I think the merengue of the 1960s onward incorporated more influences from salsa. Last but certainly not least, one of the more innovative figures in post-Trujillo merengue, Johnny Ventura's "La Agarradera" is also worth listening to. While you're at it, check out my nascent Dominican merengue playlist on Youtube. Weird, odd fact, Johnny Ventura would become a mayor of Santo Domingo, just as Manno Charlemagne, a Haitian singer, would also become mayor of Port-au-Prince. It's interesting how musicians on both sides of the island would become mayors of their respective capital cities...