Miami-based Torres is most notable for his fusion of Cuban and Colombian music to create Charanga Vallenata. ~ Leon Jackson, All Music Guide

Miami-based Torres is most notable for his fusion of Cuban and Colombian music to create Charanga Vallenata. ~ Leon Jackson, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Lisandro Meza played an important role in the evolution of Cumbia, the traditional big band dance music of Colombia. A master of vallenato sabanero, an accordion-driven style of music that originated in Mexico, Meza forged a sound that has been described as "a cross between rural Dominican merengue, Louisiana zydeco, and Tex-Mex norteño." Meza... [+] Read More

Lisandro Meza played an important role in the evolution of Cumbia, the traditional big band dance music of Colombia. A master of vallenato sabanero, an accordion-driven style of music that originated in Mexico, Meza forged a sound that has been described as "a cross between rural Dominican merengue, Louisiana zydeco, and Tex-Mex norteño." Meza initially attracted attention as a founding member of Los Corraleros de Majagual. One of Colombia's most popular bands in the 1960s, the group served as the breeding ground for such influential artists as Fruko, the "Godfather of Salsa." Leaving Los Corraleros De Majagual to focus on a solo career, Meza has continued to influence the music of Colombia and Latin America. His hits include the drinking songs, "El Guayabo de la Ye (The Hangover of the Year)" and "La Botella Picomoche" (The Big-Mouthed Bottle). ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Nephew of accordionist/composer Martín Mastre, Colombian folklorist Diómedes Díaz (born Diómedes Dionisio Díaz Maestre) started singing his own compositions in the mid-'70s and soon jad his song "La Negra" recorded by Jorge Quiroz and Luciano Poveda. Diaz made his debut along with Nafer Durán in an album called Herencia Vallenata, which featured... [+] Read More

Nephew of accordionist/composer Martín Mastre, Colombian folklorist Diómedes Díaz (born Diómedes Dionisio Díaz Maestre) started singing his own compositions in the mid-'70s and soon jad his song "La Negra" recorded by Jorge Quiroz and Luciano Poveda. Diaz made his debut along with Nafer Durán in an album called Herencia Vallenata, which featured the song "El Chanchullito." He then recorded Tres Canciones with Elberto López and teamed up with Juan Humberto Rois to make La Locura. After working with Nicolás Mendoza, aka Colacho, and Gonzalo Arturo Molina, Diómedes Díaz joined Juan Humberto Rois one more time in 1988 to record Ganó El Folclor. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Before he graduated from Jorge Tadeo Lozano's University with a publicist degree, singer/songwriter Carlos Vives joined different bands and participated in several plays. In 1982, the artist got a role in the Colombian TV series Tiempo Sin Huella, starting his successful acting career, later extending his professional skills to the Puerto Rican... [+] Read More

Before he graduated from Jorge Tadeo Lozano's University with a publicist degree, singer/songwriter Carlos Vives joined different bands and participated in several plays. In 1982, the artist got a role in the Colombian TV series Tiempo Sin Huella, starting his successful acting career, later extending his professional skills to the Puerto Rican television. After forming a band called La Provincia, the singer and guitarist began performing a local style known as Vallenato, successfully touring his native country and South America. In 1994, Carlos Vives' "La Gota Fria," became his first smash, climbing on the most important music charts around Latin America. In 1996, under the slogan of Unete A Los Locales (Join the Local Ones), the talented musician created his own label, called Gaira, to promote and give an incentive to local artists. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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After making his mark as a romantic lead in one of Latin America's most popular soap operas, Carlos Vives burst onto the music scene with this infectiously upbeat CD of vallenato tunes from Colombia. The music as updated here is percussion-driven, with a rollicking accordion and great vocal harmonies, and Vives' expressive, full-throated vocals... [+] Read More

After making his mark as a romantic lead in one of Latin America's most popular soap operas, Carlos Vives burst onto the music scene with this infectiously upbeat CD of vallenato tunes from Colombia. The music as updated here is percussion-driven, with a rollicking accordion and great vocal harmonies, and Vives' expressive, full-throated vocals are a wonderful contrast to much of the treacly singing that emanates from Latin pop. The packaging is also superior, respectful of all concerned, with photos of the songwriters and transcriptions of the lyrics (in Spanish) that underscore the strong narrative structure of this music. Most are straightforward, albeit poetic, love songs; notable exceptions are the opening "La Gota Fria," and a witty tune which was a major hit for Vives, the slower, darkly evocative "Altos de Rosario," and the funny closing fragment of a song, "Contestacion a la Brasilera," wherein a friend is counseled to steer clear of the charms of foreign women. Reach for this disc when you need a mid-afternoon lift. ~ Janet Rosen, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Grandes Exitos includes many of Los Chiches Vallenatos' favorite songs, like "No Me Tengas Lastima," "Tierra Mala," "Voy a Olvidarte," "Ceniza Fria," "No Me Tengas Lastima," and "Te Vere Llorar." ~ Earl Simmons, All Music Guide

Grandes Exitos includes many of Los Chiches Vallenatos' favorite songs, like "No Me Tengas Lastima," "Tierra Mala," "Voy a Olvidarte," "Ceniza Fria," "No Me Tengas Lastima," and "Te Vere Llorar." ~ Earl Simmons, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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