ME Television | Music & Entertainment Television

In Paul's Words

Pauls 2007 Top Ten

1. Mala Rodriguez – Malamarismo – Effortless, mature and sexy hi-hop from Spain’s resident mother-bad ass, Mala Rodriguez. This perfect blend of soul, rap and Flamenco spirit is heightened but insane collaborations with Julieta Venegas and Tego Calderon. The very best in what hip-hop can be.

2. Girl In A Coma – Both Before I’m Gone – Powerful and sweet, hot and sweaty, GIAC’s debut album, off of Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, is balanced exercise in rock ballads, punk screams and smart lyrics. Produced by Austin’s Gab Gonzales

3. Brownout – Homenaje - Big, bad and funky. Homenaje is a throw back album to the 60’s and early 70’s acid fusion works of Mils and Santana, Mongo Santamaria and other. This “off shoot” band of Grupo, may have switch the tide with this awesome work. Produced over two years

4. Calle 13 – Residente o Visitante – Delicious, perverse and seditious, reggaeton never sounded better. Stand out collaborations with Orishas, Bajofondo Tango Club and Mala.

5. M.I.S. – Pinata – This one man band, Camilo Lara, delivers a non-stop part of cha-cha-cha, cambia electronica mash-ups! This second release form the boy wonder has wonderful nerdy songs such as “El Microfono” and

6. Federico Aubele – Panamericana off the ESL Music Label, Panamericana is an awesome achievement in production, style and theme. From my review earlier this year “Aubele’s sound is global, his musical mind a blender that feeds on tragic guitar melodies, uplifting dub beats, electronic grooves, reggae chants and poetic lyrics that paint majestic stories.”

7. Bengala – Bengala – Dreamy rock, lush alternative sounds; I’m always a sucker for. The standout song, “Pla Pla Pla,” is a sleepy homage of Beach Boys melancholy trips.

8. Intocable – Crossroads – The Norteno boys from Zapata, Texas made a great move with, “Crossroads,” in the collaboration with Texas iconic producer Lloyd Maines. The result is hot production of Norteno, Country with a mix of rock and blues. Crossroads is a wonderful work of musicianship and heart.

9. The Pinker Tones – More Colours – This amazing dance album is actually covers and remixes of the Pinker Tones previous work by some of their favorite artists. From a review I wrote earlier this year, “Standouts are the smooth, angelic reworking of “Mojo Moog,” by Los Angeles Duo, The Submarines and Kinky’s droning, horns and clap-happy remix of “TMCR Grand Finale.” I was weary at first of the Kinky remake as I loved The Pinker Tones ultra-cool original. MIS’s twisted Calypso feel of “Karma Hunters,” is a pina colada-drenched remix that took only two nights for Camilo Lara to conceive. Torpedo Boys chant and funk up “L’Heros,” so lovely and slick.”

10. Pastilla – A Marte – Perfect power pop music. Sweet as the lead singer’s nickname, “Chicles,” A Marte is the album worth the 15 plus years these boys have been in the biz.

El Gato Negro – ME LIVE debuts on Mexican Independence Day Wow, El Gato Negro, Ruben Ramos, earlier this summer graced the ME Sound stage for a private taping of an ME Live! Performance. The entire concert debuts this Sunday, Sept. 16th. What? The 16th of September? The last day of ACL? Chale! It's Mexican Independence day!

What a way to celebrate with this exclusive show that Mr. Ramos give us. He's got all his hits, like "El Gato Negro," and rocking covers of Mana's "Corazon Espinado." When wrapping up the show he lays into the Mexican classic "Paloma Negra." Ruben Ramos never lets up in this performance and keeps the Tejano spirit alive. When Tejano music is scarce on Austin radio, it's good to know that METV is trying, in our own way, to keep traditions alive. Old world always meets new on our daily show, Sonido Boombox, 2pm M-F, as well. Grito la Independencia!

Ruben Ramos's ME live Concert will re-air this week:
9/19th at 7pm & 11pm
9/22nd at 2pm
9/23 at 2am

Bombasta y ya basta!!!
Since the birth of the juggernaut band Ozomatli in the mid 90's, the fusion of Latin based beats and hip-hop has slowly but surely made its presence felt in U.S. Latino music. Power-house bands such as East LA's Upground, San Diego's B-Side Players, Austin's Boombox and San Antonio's Bombasta are getting their music out to larger masses with big tours and indie-label releases. Now with social/political charged lyrics these party-based bands are making their mark on Sonido with their videos. B-Side has an incredible video running now on the channel, "Nuestras Demandas," and Upground's party-laden "Oye Chica," has been gathering chica-fans all over central Texas. Now Sonido watching eyes have fallen upon the Chicano-centric, funk driven San Antonio band, Bombasta. Rocking since 2003, Bombasta is set to release a full CD later this year and have been playing some incredible gigs along the border, McCallen, to bring the immigration issue to light again. Their mixture of music, art, culture and poetry will be on display this Friday night at the Flamingo Cantina with Berkeley, California’s own, Fuga! Hit up http://www.myspace.com/bombasta for more info.

Some of the band members will be on Sonido Boombox, Thursday June 28th at 2pm and on the 1am repeat. See you this Friday night at the Cantina!

The grace and love of Ruben Ramos
This weekend, Saturday night to be exact, at Zona Rosa, Austin gets a huge treat as world class balladeer, Tejano legend Ruben Ramos, headlines a night also featuring Charanga Cakewalk and Gabe Nieto. Did I say Tejano? Si Senor! But those who are in the know about Ruben, know that he is so much more then the generic Tejano definition. In fact, my first encounter with the voz of “El Gato Negro”, was on the all-star, 1998 Grammy winning Los Super Seven. This amazing album was followed a couple years later by the equally astounding Canto.” Canto featured Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso and others, but it was Ruben’s “Compay Gato,” that floored me and still does. Other great songs from Ruben include “Canoero,” and “Mi Ranchito” with Rick Trevino. Sure, Ruben’s got the slick looks and great stories. You can see for yourself on Thursday’s Sonido at 2pm and later, the repeat at 1am, but it’s his grace and love for singing that makes him a treasure. Helping to expand and to keep the Tejano tradition alive, Ruben’s show will feature the Gato Negro singing a song or two early with the Cumbia fusion group Charanga Cakewalk. Sonido helped put this line-up together with the folks at Direct Events, a first for this type of line-up at Zona, so bring the familia!

Boca Abajo but well above ground!

The energy that is Boca Abajo is infectious. If their new video to "Necesito Salvacion," is any indication of their new CD, self titled, then Rock en Espanol in Austin is looking good. Following in the foot steps of local act Bocastria, B.A. shot the video over several days with Flipbook Media here in Austin. I love energy and joy in this song and video, which make for a great summer rock jam.

Working hard on their sound and line-up for the last 7 years, B.A. was one of the first pure Latin rock acts in Austin. Now having gathered a devout following over the years, Patrick and boys have gotten their act together and have released an Album and brand new Music Video! We did the world premiere of it on Thursday's Sonido at 2pm and it will be my NMR pick Tuesday, June 19th at 8pm on the channel. These boys are all gigging around town, more info hit http://www.myspace.com/bocaabajo or www.bocabajo.com.

Chetes comes to town 6/01
Singer Chetes was in this past week for a headlining performance at La Zona Rosa, along with The Lemurs and Arthur Yoria. In all honestly, compared to the SX party and Rock N Roll Dia events, this was the hardest to pull off. Between changing venues and dates, and event artists to forging and educating new audiences about modern music in Spanish, this felt like an uphill battle with the Gods! So first, to everyone that worked on this event, you earned badges of honor on this one! Gracias!

But to the viewer and fan, it was magical! Chetes came in early Thursday to work press, from BMP radio to News 8 Austin/Andy Langer(gracias Andy!), Chetes was a champ. He was very nervous about his interview in English, with Kevin Conner and Andy, but rocked it! That first day he performed two songs in the ME studio, “Completamente,” and “Que Me Maten,” which was a simply stirring rendition. That first night was unforgettable, picking up Chetes in the hellish rain and taping a show in the mini van, he gave insightful info on indie bands in Mexico and their influence on Popular music. Then we got to Mohawk, drenched! Andy Rourke from the Smiths was the headliner but Chetes was more excited about chatting with Mitch from the Lemurs, or was it me that got all nerdy watching them chat it up in broken Spanglish? Maybe a little of both. Friday night, End of an Ear in-store, again Chetes soared as did the talented Arthur Yoria, a Houston-based artist who used live loops and samples along with his live vocals. Die hard Sonido fans Mariela and Jaime were in the house, thank you guys for being there, the whole weekend!!!

Zona, Saturday night, small crowd but wonderful performances, truly, as opener Arthur Yoria’s live set was incredible. The Lemurs really belong on a huge stage as they took over Zona. Chetes played with ease and poise, as should anyone that has been performing in front of crowds since the age of 14. Part Beatles, part Brian Wilson, Chetes was all heart, even rocking an encore of “Abre Los Ojos,” a huge hit from his former band, Zurdok. His current CD, Blanco Facil, has an intense double edition out now and only in town at End of an Ear, thanks Dan! Banged up and bruised but it’s always worth it! Look out for the ME LIVE! Now rest as we ramp up for the big Rock n Roll Dia 07! Hasta la Proxima...!