New record labels struggle to find a distinctive voice in today’s music world with the pressures of niche marketing and growing consumer expectations. The internet overloads people with information, and as a result, they don’t bother with music outside their comfort zone. Instead, new listeners want to know exactly what type of music you promote and they need a reason to buy it. This attitude leaves little room for a label to experiment with a wide range of artists or unknown musicians. As new listeners look for quick and easy ways to attain music, the traditional CD format has lost value. Consumers have rejected the experience of owning a physical piece of plastic, they want extra value. Record labels are being forced into a position of giving smaller groups of people exactly what they want and providing the maximum of amount of product.
Cacao Música introduced their first five albums at the end of 2007 with a feeling of respect for their listeners and a desire to give them high quality materials. The artists that completed albums held world-class reputations; Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Jose Luis “Changuito” Quintana, and Alfredo Naranjo all entered Cacao Música with prodigious instrumental technique and important musical concepts. The music itself fell squarely in the Latin Jazz realm; each artist shaped their sound with individual touches from dance influences to pop tinges. The accompanying album booklets were pieces of art that brought the music to life. Inspiring color photos and extensive information about both the main artists and their sidemen made the CD package a necessity. Every piece of the first wave of Cacao releases gave their listeners more than just some new tunes; they provided a full experience that connected the listener to the artist.
The second wave of Cacao Música releases reflect a desire to continue their search for quality music without getting painted into a corner. Father and Son from Negroni’s Trio literally brings together pianist José Negroni and his son drummer Nomar Negroni on a piano trio album that explores freedom and personal expression. Cuarteto De Clarinetes De Caracas delivers an intoxicating release that blends Latin Jazz sensibilities with classical beauty on Suelos. Percussionist Orlando Poleo’s Curate!
explodes with salsa power that carries an underlying improvisational jazz aesthetic. Guitarist Aquiles Báez y sus Panas Band brings a thin textured jazz sound to La Patilla, complimented by creative uses of Latin rhythms and clarinetist Anat Cohen’s expressive performances. Coincidencias
highlights the sensual vocal of Luz Marina who walks the line between traditional Latin dance music, jazz, and pop. The inherent diversity that lies between each release expands the bottom line of Cacao’s rooster without sacrificing quality.
Cacao Música elegantly meets consumer expectations and further defines their voice as a record label with their new releases; as they expand their niche, they offer their listeners reason to explore their artists. Each release sings with its own voice, exposing a different and powerful side of Latin music. Every album keeps one foot in jazz – some dive in headfirst while others just dip a tiny toe into jazz, but a connection always exists. These releases show Cacao’s willingness to take chances and promote lesser know artists – the beauty of the artist’s music becomes a priority rather than a listener’s preconceived notions. Each package consistently contains the beautiful pictures and extensive texts found in the previous Cacao releases. As Cacao Música expands their roster and creates more releases they haven’t experienced growing pains, instead they’ve forged a personality as a label; one that looks at Latin music and jazz from every angle and then respectfully shares their findings with their listeners.
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New York listeners will get a unique chance to hear several Cacao artists this week as the label presents a showcase the The Jazz Gallery. A Taste of Cacao will be a two night event – on Thursday listeners will hear the Aquiles Báez Quintet with special guest vibrahonist Alfredo Naranjo and Friday will feature Negroni’s Trio. It’s a great opportunity to hear some of the label’s finest Latin Jazz; if you’re in New York, don’t miss this!
A Taste of Cacao
Friday 3/7/08
AQUILES BÁEZ QUINTET SPECIAL GUEST ALFREDO NARANJO
WHERE: The Jazz Gallery
290 Hudson Street
New York, NY
TIME: 9:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $15 General Admission; $10 Jazz Gallery Members
Thursday 3/6/08
NEGRONI’S TRIO
WHERE: The Jazz Gallery
290 Hudson Street
New York, NY
TIME: 9:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $15 General Admission; $10 Jazz Gallery Members
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