POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Salsa Consistently Hot at Festival

The Third International Salsa Festival on Saturday at the Universal Amphitheatre was four hours of one hard act to follow after another--a surprise considering the usual carelessness that surrounds concerts of this type. This occasion offered soaring performances by Colombia’s 14-piece Orquesta Guayacan, New York’s Marc Anthony, Puerto Rico’s Cheo Feliciano and Cuba’s Celia Cruz, the last three accompanied by the classy RMM Orchestra led by noted producer Sergio George.

Cruz confirmed her status as the “Queen of Salsa” despite several instances that showed that time is merciless. Granted, her voice is not quite as effective as it was years ago, but again, who sings like Celia Cruz? The colorful Cuban performed songs from “Azucar Negra” (“Black Sugar”), her latest album, and several classics that kept the audience on its feet.

The festival started with a powerful, aggressive set by Orquesta Guayacan, which delighted the crowd with impressive vocal arrangements and a commanding stage presence by its three singers.

Feliciano’s loud, show-stopping performance--especially his memorable medley of songs from his years with the Joe Cuba Sextet--was the evening’s highlight, but not by much: Marc Anthony, the best of a young generation of hip-hop/dance-music singers who have turned to salsa, was brilliant. Relaxed and showing a confidence many veterans would long for, Anthony clearly has the potential to be a major international star in the ‘90s.

Cruz, Feliciano and Guayacan’s singers joining both orchestras in a descarga (Latin jam session) was the perfect end for a night that showed how a real festival should be staged.