"Truly awesome!" - Roberto Burgos, RADIO LATINA "We need more discs like this one, urgently" - Basilio Stamatiou , SONIDO BESTIAL "We can feel Authenticity and Spontaneity" - Luigi Elongi Rosati , AMINA "Old school Salsa with a modern touch" suits perfectly the music of the group La Presión. La Presión borned during summer 2004 when two friends, fond of salsa, Toni Bolanos and Jean-Yves Moreno-Guzman, took the decision of launching their own album. Last years have seen a growing interest of the public in Salsa music, essentially for its party and dance aspects. Today this new public is more and more interested in descovering various aspects of this music, its history, its culture and its own true identity. The public wants to learn more about the origins of Salsa and wants to discover all the aspects he has not been knowing well until now, from romance to sadness, from nostalgia to revendication. The project of the group La Presión fits in this context, in this need to come back to a Salsa musically purer and textually much more serious, in order to present to this "young" public a production musically modern and, at the same time, to pay homage to salsa pioneers whose messages still lie in the memories. Concept and executive production : Jean-Yves Moreno-Guzman Young French independant producer, he decides to start his own production company in 2004, keeping in mind a very precise concept of the group La Presión, of its style and of the themes it will deal with. Texts & Compositions : Toni Bolanos & Jean-Yves Moreno-Guzman Toni Bolanos is a French compositor whose skills cover as well rap as raggae or as French variety. Fond of Salsa music since always he accepts without any hesitation the proposal of Jean-Yves Moreno-Guzman, a very long time friend, of doing salsa compositions. After a several months preparation, they create a true original repertory from which they choose the 10 titles of the album. Moreover Toni Bolanos interprets with all his talent the French version of the title "Salsa de Paris" in La Presión's album. Arrangements, musical production & studio direction : Alberto Barros Alberto Barros has been an internationally well-known arranger, compositor and director and a famous Colombian musician for 35 years. He was immediatly interested in this project, being his first opportunity to work for a European production, and put his whole talent in La Presión to find the specific style searched by the group. Singers : Diego Javier González Diego has been one of the lead voices of the famous Grupo Galé during around ten years, interpreting unforgettable themes as "Ya no te puedo amar", "Volver, Volver", "Ven a Medellin", "Cualquiera Puede" "Homenaje", "Beso a Beso", "Fantasia", "Nostalgia", "Pueblo Mio", or "Perdoname". His peculiar style has made him also very demanded for chorus works in groups such as Sonora Carruseles, Fruko, Quinto Mayor, Frankie Negron, Tito Nieves... In La Presión ’s album he sings two themes that only a very gifted sonero with exceptional vocal technic skills could interpret with accuracy : "Niño de Guerra" and "La Ultima Carta". Charlie Gómez Having already achieved a long carrier, Charlie has always been able to give his music a real feeling of pleasure and sincerity. He was the lead voice of the famous Grupo Raíces and of his own group, having interpreting unforgettable titles as "Guaguanco pa' la Calle", "Dejala que se vaya", "Mentiras Tuyas", or "Castigala". He is the singer of two themes in La Presión’s album, "Olvidame" and "Solitario", two nostalgic and serious titles to which Charlie’s maturity and exceptional vocal skills give a real and unique depth. Diego Morán Singer of Los Titanez for several years, his warm and powerful voice makes him a unique sonero, hard and without any concession. He interprets the titles "El Psicópata", "Pretencioso", "Amistad a la Basura", and "Calle Dura", at ease as well with ironic themes as with serious songs. His original and powerful voice as well as his sincerity recall soneros from the old time ; he perfectly incarnates the concept of "Salsa de Ayer con el Sabor de Hoy". Jr. Ruiz Young sonero full of energy, Tommy interprets with great talent the title "Salsa de Paris" and proves he will let his own mark in the new salsa generation world during several years. He is one of the new lead singers of los Titanez and for sure will make his way in the music industry. Musicians : Piano : Luis F. Artuz & Alberto Barros Baby Bass : Alex Duque Trumpets : Dante Vargas Trombones : Alberto Barros Congas : Fabian Picon Timbal, bongo & campana : Emiro Santiago Güiro & maracas : Jaime Velasquez Background vocals : Diego Morán, Tommy Ruiz, Alberto Barros, Diego Javier González Mix : Javier Weeber - Alberto Barros