Acostumbrados a que Café Tacuba presente su material a cuenta gotas, es placentero que en el 2005 el cuarteto mexicano publique dos trabajos en los que compendian en vivo dos momentos emblemáticos de su carrera. Por un lado, tenemos el lanzamiento oficial de “Un Viaje”, una colección de los sonidos y escenas vividas en los conciertos del quinceavo aniversario de la banda. El otro es “Café Tacuba Unplugged”, una producción que la ex-disquera del grupo pone a la venta con un nefasto retraso: cuatro años de terminar el contrato con el grupo y “tan sólo” una década de haberse grabado el especial.

If he had the opportunity, in demand producer, Boy Wonder would take time out to lie on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. But he would be the first to tell you - he’s in no position to relax. His list of accomplishments would make the average mid-twenty-something male break a sweat. Born Manuel Alejandro Ruiz in Queensbridge New York, el dominicano/puertoriqueño is a humble guy. It’s only when you bring up reggaeton, that his liquid brown eyes light up and he sounds off . The underground music, a fusion of Latin music, hip-hop and reggae, which began in Panamá and Puerto Rico, has made its’ way to mainstream audiences.

Some credit N.O.R.E.’s single “Oye Mi Canto” with Nina Sky, Gem Star and Daddy Yankee as the push reggaeton needed to get ahead. Popular artists such as Boricuas Don Omar and Tego Calderón, developed a solid fan base. Ruiz took it a step further by chronicling reggaeton’s history in Chosen Few: El Documental (available at www.ubo.com). This CD/DVD compilation has performances from more than 20 of the hottest reggaeton artists, combined with nearly two hours of interviews culled from a thousand hours of footage.

“One of the first artists that came through was Zion & Lennox,” Ruiz said. “They believed in me and participated even though they got involved for the hell of it. Thank God it took off .”

It took 8 months to complete Chosen Few. As expected, it consumed Ruiz’ life. His daily grind consisted of interviews, studio time, editing, locating hard to reach artists (including one in Federal prison) and dealing with their crazy schedules. Ruiz persistence paid off . His hunger was evident, even back in Queensbridge where rapper NAS first blew up. Always keeping his ear on the street, he came across an artist who he thought would be his ticket out. The rap group Wu- Tang happened to film a video in his neighborhood one day. Ruiz walked up to lead rapper/producer RZA and told him about the artist. He used financial aid money he received for school to finance the demo. Unfortunately, the deal went south. Ruiz took a brief respite in the Dominican Republic to strategize his next move. There he became heavily influenced by Latin music and reggaeton. Ruiz developed an appreciation for the music and saw how it affected the young people.

But opportunity kicked its way in. Ruiz produced “Underground Videos,” a Latin hip-hop/reggaeton show for a year. He returned to New York, started his production company Chosen Few/Emerald Entertainment, and independently released “NYC-Sex” and “Pocos Elegidos” successfully. He brought his idea for the documentary to Adam Kidron, the CEO at Urban Box Office in New York, who quickly jumped on it.

As soon as puerto rican duo Zion & Lennox agreed to appear on the DVD, everyone from Vico C to Don Omar soon followed. Ruiz even has footage of fellow artist/producer Tempo who was incarcerated at the time.

“Chosen Few is to be looked at as a documentary of life and music. Learn from it as a way of life. A lot of artist’s talk about their experiences, like Tempo, who preaches to the youth.” Ruiz explains, “Mellow Man Ace jokes about how he was a popular act, had a worldwide hit, and lost his money. He could have quit, instead he changed his life around. These are the things that happen in everyday life and shows that these people, besides being stars, work hard and go through problems like normal people.”

With his tireless spirit, Ruiz envisions a bright future ahead. There are plans for Chosen Few II, slated for August, followed by another bus tour. He plans to release reggaeton duo L.D.A. on disc in October. Also, he will produce a compilation of new acts called “The Draft 2005.” This ambitious project will introduce new acts each year. When he’s not in the studio perfecting beats, wearing his trademark white headband, the single father spends time with his little girl, Joi Sylvia.

“I have to have a headband,” he insists, “If I don’t have one in the studio, the session must be cancelled. Hawaii is going to have to wait. Boy Wonder is on a mission.

We didn’t steal him from Mana.” Alfonso Andres is referring to guitarist César “Vampiro” López from the Mexican rock band Jaguares. For many years, word was that vocalist Saúl Hernández stole him from the rock band Mana. Not true. Vampiro briefly joined Mana in 1992 for the album “Dónde Jugarán los Niños” and left in 1994. Hernández offered Vampiro a spot on his band and he quickly accepted. Now that the subject is closed, Andrés would prefer talking about the band’s latest CD Crónicas de un Laberinto (Chronicles of the Labyrinth), Sony/BMG, due out May 31.

It’s been three years since their last album. Andrés said they were looking for a diff erent approach. In contrast to previous albums where there would be a big musical part that segues into a solo, they opted for shorter and simpler songs.

“We always try to come up with something different and exciting for us, not to repeat the last album,” said the 42-year old drummer. “We don’t want to be a cliché of something.”

Jaguares collaborated with longtime friend Adrián Belew, who last worked with the band 10 years ago. This time around, Belew contributed his talent as a musician instead of acting as producer. Belew found himself with a more mature band which made working a lot easier.

“We don’t have the same problems we were facing back then…ego trips and fights. This time around things went a lot smoother between us.”

Though fans will notice the obvious distinction of their sound, there’s also a subtle internal change. The band learned to work more with the production side. Before their involvement, they left the decisions up to the producers and engineers. Now they have more control over what they want and learned how to simplify. Even Hernández’ songwriting has changed by using metaphors which are not open for interpretation.

Jaguares has been able to keep it together for the past 20 years. Previously known as Caifanes, they have gone through hell and back as a family. When asked what kept them together, Andres said unequivocally the music and acceptance of their personalities kept them tight. “We have learned to live with our differences to really appreciate what the rest of the band has to offer as a value to the band and leave behind the ego trips”.

Each member brings a certain dynamic. Saúl brings the most important part which is the songwriting. He’s the dreamer who gets yanked down from the clouds by the other members. Andrés is the self-professed control freak. Vampiro, who got his name as a child who would sleep during the day, is the calming force. He’s usually in a good mood and is always willing to try new ideas.

“Each of us also brings his own musical baggage. We’re always listening to music trying to learn more about it,” said Andrés.

It wasn’t always an easy ride for Jaguares. They stopped playing for a couple years when Hernández contracted a virus that attacked his vocal chords. While he recuperated, Andrés moonlighted in the band La Barranca until Hernández got better. They have been with their label since the 80's. That label is currently going through a merger with Sony. Andres doesn’t worry about the shake up. He assures me that there’s a mutual respect between management and the band. On a lighter note, they made rock history by appearing on the 2002 cover of the first Spanish edition of Rolling Stone magazine in Mexico coinciding with their El Primer Instinto. A second cover is coming soon.

The band doesn’t feel the rush to put forth a new album constantly. “We never want to rush things. We get into the studio when we feel it’s natural and ready.” The time has now come to share with their fans. They have a grueling four-month tour ahead of them. They will visit 26 cities to promote Crónicas and a DVD will be available soon after. The album and tour information can be found on their website.

Andrés is thankful for the fans who stood by them during Hernández’ illness when no single was playing on the radio and there was no video to promote.

“The fan base we have is so incredible. They really like what we’re doing and feel a connection with us and what we’re saying. We’re really, really blessed.”

www.jaguaresmx.com

Javier Gurruchaga sintoniza a Dylan, Lennon y Don Quijote en una misma frecuencia

Javier Gurruchaga celebra el 25 aniversario de la Orquesta Mondragón con la publicación de “¡Viva Mondragón!”, un recopilatorio de lo mejor de esta banda, con clásicos como “Corazón de Neón”, “Ponte la Peluca” o “Es la Guerra”, además de temas nuevos con “un aire quijotesco, porque si algo mantiene la Orquesta Mondragón en todos estos años es el espíritu luchador y revolucionario, en resumidas cuentas, el espíritu de Dylan, Lennon y Don Quijote”, asegura el líder de la legendaria agrupación.