Miami (AP) -
Tito Puente Jr., a consummate artist, performer and one of the extraordinary triple threats in the Latin music industry who sings, plays and composes, has just released a new track on Miami-based Gotham Records called "Here's To You" from his soon-to-be-released summer CD entitled,
"Tito Puente Jr., 2001".
The song, featuring English and Spanish versions, is dedicated to his late father, the legendary Tito Puente. As a performer, Puente Jr. has continuously pushed the envelope of Latin music, integrating the well-recognized musical flavors of pop, Latin jazz and dance with the influences of classic mambo, cha cha cha and merengue. He has redefined an eclectic mix of several styles, which embrace every generation and help elevate his high-energy, dance-laced performances to new heights.
"With the release of 'Here's To You' and this new CD, I want people to truly appreciate how music impacts their soul," said Puente Jr. "I've experimented with a lot of styles and what came out of the studio with these cuts should duplicate the experience of going on a fun-filled musical roller coaster ride that you never want to get off."
Reviews of the song are already coming in. Referring to the song's style and emotion-filled lyrics, Billboard Magazine's June 30, 2001 issue features a review from Chuck Taylor that says, "Musically, the track complements the sentiment which certainly can be applied to anyone's loss of a loved-one with the gentle strumming of a Spanish guitar over a breezy mid-tempo Latin beat."
The Spanish word "puente" literally translates into "bridge" in English and Puente, Jr. stands at the forefront of a musical genre that bridges the future of Latin music with the past. Puente Jr. is riding a wave of success flowing his debut album "Guaranchando," which he co-produced for the EMI-Latin label. It featured the artist's own cover version of "Oye Como Va" which rocketed to the number seven position on Billboard's Dance chart. The song's accompanying video earned him a Latin Music Award for "Best Salsa Video of the Year."
His second album, "Sientelo" (Feel It), sizzled with Latin-flavored rap and hip-hop sounds and encompassed high-energy Latin dance rhythms that only he can generate, on tracks such as "Azucar" (a chart favorite), "Chocolate" and "Extrano Tu Forma de Besar."
As he continues on his mission to reinvent the Latin sound, the "Prince of Latin Dance" now resides in Miami, the city at the epicenter of the new wave of Latin music and home to such luminaries as Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin. "Miami is at the crossroads of Latin America and the Caribbean," said Puente Jr. "This is where it's all happening and being here allows me to experience an environment where the Latin melting pot of cultures and music is truly inspirational."
