Brisa Caribeña - The Night Kiss

Sophia Johnson

 The Latin band Brisa Caribeña  (Breeze Of The Caribbean) has amicably parted ways with their last lead vocalist Anna Molina. The leaders of the group gave no details, but they did say that Sophia Johnson is back after an extended illness as lead soloist and instrumentalist.  The b and has made no mystery about how they feel about Ms Johnson. She's not only a fine vocalist with a deep contralto voice, but her expression and style fit the bands very well. She's got the added bonus of being proficient on keyboards as well. 

The group celebrated Sophia's return by writing a high-spirited song for her, The Night Kiss that showcases her talents as well as the entire bands. The band has increased their personnel into a band with full brass as well as having access to a string section. And of course, their percussion section is outstanding. The band recorded this song just before they left on a tour that will take them to various venues in the country, as they have restricted their performing in other countries due to the volatile current political situations. 

We hope the band has their usual good turnouts for their performances, and that they keep recording more great songs!

In the deepness of the dark we are still together
In the blackness there's a spark with the lightness of a feather
Can it truly be happening as we hold hands in the black
Feelings no longer baffling we can't retreat or go back
 
In anticipation of a great event
I confess that you're the only one
And as you tell me the same thing
The dark turns to brightness of the sun
 
As the realization comes over us while we talk
Our sweet conversation has no element of shock
Then our talking suddenly stops...as the night begins to glow
Inhibitions begin to drop, our lips come together, love grows
 
Our first kiss doesn't happen without light
Despite the murky blackness of the night
The dark transforms to brightness of the sun
My lips confess... you're the only one

Brisa Caribeña - From The Ashes

Ana Molina

 The band Brisa Caribeña had the honor of playing host to a famous Flamenco guitar artist Sanchez Vajerro from Spain. Señor Vajerro agreed to play with the band on their last recording of the song Music Take Me Away with their soloist Sophia Johnson. The band and soloists blended so well that Sr. Vajerro extended his stay to make more recordings. He especially liked the way Ms. Johnson performed, and it was the thought of working with her again that kept him as much as anything else. 

Regrettably, about half way through the rehearsal of their next song, Ms. Johnson became ill and had to leave the studio. But luckily, the recording could proceed, as the band and Ms. Johnson have been  working with a young singer that may join the band, Ana Molina. Ms. Molina has rehearsed extensively with the band and could fill in for Ms. Johnson, who has been diagnosed with a stomach ailment and will be absent for a few weeks. 

Everyone was very pleased with Ms. Molina's performance, and the band went on to record more songs with the two soloists before Sr. Vajerro leaves to return to Spain. Ms. Johnson expects to be back soon, and the band will then have two soloists to work with.

Now that it's done! I'm the lucky one!
No more do I have to wonder
You did your part! To break my heart!
Like a violent storm with thunder!

You lied to my face! In utter disgrace!
I spent too many nights crying.
You can have fun! With the other one!
Soon I'll will no longer be sighing!

Getting over you, you've made easy
It was something I dreaded too long
Made me feel restless and uneasy
So for far too much I went along!

Fire in my belly! But no hate in my heart
I begin to make myself anew
Now that we'll be forever apart
I'll remake my self shiny and new!

You lied to my face! In utter disgrace!
I spent too many nights crying.
You can have fun! With the other one!
Soon I'll will no longer be sighing!

Fire in my belly! But no hate in my heart
I begin to make myself anew
Now that we'll be forever apart
I'll remake my self shiny and new!
 

Brisa Caribeña - Music Take Me Away

 Brisa Caribeña's latest is a song sung by their lead female vocalist Sophia Johnson about trying to mend a broken heart. She is backed up by the addition of strings to the usual band with the virtuoso guitar of Sanchez Vajerro, a visiting soloist from Spain where he's known as a flamenco artist. Ms. Johnson is in her usual excellent vocal form which impressed the guest soloist so much he increased his visit so he could record more with the band and her. We look forward to more songs from them all!

The night is mixed with passion
That could be felt in the air
It started to heal my mood
As I breathed in the air
Waves assaulted my senses
As I slowly became aware
The music was the culprit
Played by the band sitting there

Music, please take me far away
From where my mind is today
Forgetting a love that is lost
That makes my happiness stray

I order another drink
But it's a waste of money
I'm in such a sorrowful mood
Doesn't help to make me sunny
My friends tell me all kinds of jokes
But I find none of them funny
With so many people around
I still feel so damn lonely

Music, please take me far away
From where my mind is today
Forgetting a love that is lost
That makes my happiness stray

Nothing but music has power
To help mend my broken heart
It will take a long long time
But at least it is a start!

Music, please take me far away
From where my mind is today
Forgetting a love that is lost
That makes my happiness stray
 

Brisa Caribeña - Chica Chica

 Brisa Caribeña is presently on an American tour and playing to sold out audiences. The lead singer, the comely Sophia Johnson has added her mellow contralto voice to a varied set of songs and dances. The recent lawsuits and counter-lawsuits between the band and their former lead singer are now resolved, so the band can concentrate on making music! 

Their latest song, Chica Chica, is a song warning young women about the predatory type of man that populates music halls and dance venues.  Regrettably this is still a problem, and the band no doubt has seen these kinds of men and found it necessary to give a warning to the young, good looking, and gullible.  

Some men at the dancing places

 Look for young ones to corrupt 

Keep eyes open, be aware

Once they get started they won't stop 

 

 Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

Watch out for his glance 

Do not take the chance 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

 

These men are like a raptor 

Look for the innocent and sweet 

Swoop on you before you know it 

Try to sweep you off your feet 

 

 Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 Are not what they seem 

Just like a bad dream 

 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 They like the girls underage 

Those that pass as much older 

A smile, a dance, and eye wink 

A start to getting bolder 

 

Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

Jewelry and chains 

Predatory brains 

Chica chica chica chica no! 

 

Looking for a young conquest 

Bragging rites to other scum 

Ruin your lives they don't care

 Tell you you're the only one 

 

Chica chica chica chica chica... 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 Awfully bad and mean 

Evil in their jeans 

Chica chica chica chica no!

 

Brisa Caribeña - Dance With Me

 Seems the group is still having issues with its former female soloist, Minerva Peña. The band and her couldn't reach an agreement with her contract. The band says she quite, she says they wrongly fired her instead of negotiating in good faith. Accidentally in the middle of the fracas is Sophia Johnson, a band member that stepped up to the mic when Minerva refused to perform with them. Sophia is a versatile band member as she can play most of the percussion instruments plus keyboards. Now she's the lead singer, and her mellow contralto voice blends well with the band. So there's lawsuits against the band, and the band has counter-sued for breach of contract when Minerva refused to perform during negotiations. We hate to see a groups activities get tied up in litigation, but so far it doesn't seem to have affected their music making!

The night is young, I feel so good 

It's going to be a grand night 

We have a drink, some good food too 

This place is a wonderful sight 

The flashing lights, shine on your face 

With luminescence just right 

It's electric, what you look like 

I will admit, it does excite 

 

The beat overtakes my willpower

 I want to dance, I need to dance 

I don't wish to be a wall flower 

So come dance with me! 

 

The beat overtakes my willpower 

I want to dance, I need to dance 

I don't wish to be a wall flower 

So come dance with me! 

 

What did you think, when you saw me? 

Did I think all the same things too? 

Your form so nice, your hair and eyes

 I see them they're the fairest blue 

Your gentle ways, and good manners 

Made me think is it really true? 

We're here tonight, connect so well

Seems oh, oh so right for us two 

 

 I see the whole world in your face 

Do you see it in mine as well? 

Music is loud and hard to talk 

There anything you wish to tell? 

You take my hand escort me 

And my heart oh, it nearly fell 

You tell without saying a word 

I feel my breath start to swell! 

 

 The night goes on, this place is good 

It is such a grand night 

We have more drinks, nibble food too 

I feel so beautiful and light 

The lights go dim, our silhouettes 

Are together holding me tight 

It feels so good, being with you 

I've a feeling that I won't fight 

 

The beat overtakes my senses 

I want to dance, I need to dance

 It's such a feeling of power 

So come dance with me! 

 

The beat overtakes my senses 

I want to dance, I need to dance 

It's such a feeling of power

 So come dance with me!

 

Brisa Caribeña - Self Worth

There's been a permanent change in personel in this group, and not a minor one! Minerva Peña, their lead singer for the first two songs they recorded with Big And Tall Records has been replaced by Sophia Johnson, a member of the band that substituted for Peña in their last recording. We originally heard that she was dealing with an illness, but the leader of the group confided that it was a money issue. Not to get into all the particulars, but to cut to the chase they couldn't come to terms. They offered the lead singer to Johnson, and after a lot of thought, she accepted. She's got a fine contralto voice, and her tall stature, red hair and green eyes makes for a striking singer to stand at the microphone. 

Also on this recording, there is extended guitar solos by guest artist Juan Marron, the same guitarist that plays on our previous recording Flamenco Fantasia. Marron has a great reputation in the Latin American music world, and has played with many artists and played for top name Flamenco practitioners. With Johnson's mellow singing,  Marron's artistic playing, and the rest of the band giving a very appropriate background, this recording is one of our favorites from a group that has recorded many favorites! 

 

 

 

You told me one thing, and did another 

I asked you to call me, you didn't bother 

No more signs of disrespect will I take! 

The love for me you confessed was a fake! 

 

A man with no integrity, is surely not for me

 It's basic to who I am, my own self worth 

Want to be set free, you don't have to ask me 

Just go your own way, have your rebirth! 

 

I thought you were special, you were the one

 Turns out you only needed me to have fun!

 I don't need you around, and live a lie! 

No more all your deceit will I buy! 

 

A man with no integrity, is surely not for me

 It's basic to who I am, my own self worth 

Want to be set free, you don't have to ask me 

Just go your own way, have your rebirth! 

 

You no longer exist, you're just a myth 

I don't care who you cheated with 

I feel compassion and sorrow for them 

Because you'll follow the same rule of thumb 

 

 You're a man with no integrity, surely not for me 

You have a twisted thought of your self worth

 I just hope whoever it is, sets her own self free 

And that before you die, you have a true rebirth!

Brisa Caribeña - Passion of The Tango

The repertoire of  Brisa Caribeña seems to entail practically the entirety of Latin American music. The Tango originated along the border of Argentina and Uruguay late in the 19th century, and was influenced by many forms of dance and music. There are traces of European music tradition, as well as Cuban, Spanish, and African influences. It was a dance of the impoverished people, played for entertainment in brothels and saloons. It became extremely popular and began to spread the world in the 1900's. There were many parts of society that condemned the dance as being too sexual and inappropriate for the public. The music itself was also considered strange because of the various influences heard in it, as most people in Europe and America had not heard African and Cuban music.

Sophia Johnson, vocalist

As Ragtime was at first condemned and then embraced, so too did the Tango. Both Tango and Ragtime carried mutual influences, and influenced each other as they became popular around the same time in history.

As with many forms, there became many different styles of the dance develop. These were seen in different areas of Argentina and in fact the world. The music also developed differing styles. The Tango, while no longer the rage, has a core following with dancers and musicians, and continues to scandalize the more conservative parts of society. 

Minerva Peña, the usual lead singer was unavailable for the recording date, so one of the band members, a percussionist named Sophia Johnson stepped in. She is one of the few members of the band that is not of Latino extraction, but she became interested in Latin American music and went on to study it in college. This is her first time recording as a vocalist for Big And Tall Records, and we welcome another artist to the fold!

  

 

A man and woman dance the tango 

They are dancing very close at the start 

The music slowly builds in tension 

The dancers drift far apart 

 

The woman twirls the hem of her dress 

It flows like a flag in the wind 

The man comes closer and closer, 

And pulls her nearer to him. 

 

The passion of the tango 

The woman 's back gracefully bends

 It represents the passion of life 

With a force that's hard to defend 

 

The couple are more than just dancers

 Their passion for each other is seen 

They put an energy into the dance 

That is far from serene 

 

It is a tension of love that's delayed 

An urge from so deep inside 

They express it on the dance floor 

No more than that will they confide 

 

This dance that's from Argentina, 

Is a dynamic of that culture 

Of love requited, or delayed 

That's given a high stature! 

 

Their bodies come together often

 Each time they hesitate longer 

When they look in each other’s eyes, 

It betrays a mutual hunger 

 

Make no mistake, they are in love 

It's obvious for all to see 

Their bodies grind on each other 

In mutual ecstasy 

 

The music forces onward 

They hold each other in their arms

The tension in the room is palpable 

Close to the point of alarm 

 

 Their bodies come together often

 Each time they hesitate longer 

When they look in each others eyes,

 It betrays a mutual hunger 

 

Make no mistake, they are in love 

It's obvious for all to see 

Their bodies grind on each other 

In mutual ecstasy 

 

The music forces onward 

They hold each other in their arms 

The tension in the room is palpable 

Close to the point of alarm 

 

Dancing the tango, the dance of love 

Touching a raw, basic want 

As the dance moves to the end, 

It’s the want the dancers flaunt!

 

Brisa Caribeña - When You Break My Heart

Minerva Peña

Brisa Caribeña (Breeze of The Caribbean) has been playing all over Latin America as they seem to have a really good grasp of many of the different song and dance styles of the area.  Of course all of them are fluent in Spanish, a few in Portuguese as well, but their lead singer Minerva Peña is the only one that can claim to be fluent in English, even to the point of not having any Spanish accent carry over in her singing. We at Big And Tall Records are no experts in Latin American music, so we can't say what specific category this song falls into, but it sounds great, has a good beat! That's good enough for us!

This is another group that is difficult to get into  the studio, pretty much for the same reason; they are in very high demand! 

When you break my heart, 

It will come back to haunt you 

It will come back to haunt you 

Oh yes it will 

 

When you break my heart, 

It will come back to haunt you 

It will come back to haunt you 

Oh yes it will 

 

You tell me that you will love me forever

 That you will never, be untrue 

That I'm the only one, that you'll always be true, 

yes you do. 

 

But circumstances tell me different 

That your love for me is being spent 

On someone else. 

Things you used to do for me alone

 Have up and flown, away. 

 

When you break my heart, 

It will come back to haunt you

 It will come back to haunt you 

Oh yes it will 

 

When you break my heart, 

It will come back to haunt you 

It will come back to haunt you 

Oh yes it will 

 

You don't know it but I saw you, 

Being untrue, in a restaurant. 

Sitting at a table by the front door, 

showering el amour on somebody else

 

 I know you will tell me some kind of talk 

But I was passing on the sidewalk 

And saw you two clearly. 

Should I let you give a reason, 

for all your treason, or walk away. 

 

You have broken my heart, 

Forever it will haunt you 

Forever it will haunt you 

Oh yes it will 

 

So spend all your time 

With your someone new 

Until she's through with you

 I'll not come back!

 

Brisa Caribeña - Any Where, Any Way, Any Time!

Minerva Peña and Brisa Caribeña

 Brisa Caribeña (Caribbean Breeze) is a band relatively new to the Latin/American scene, but they're rapidly making their mark as a band that, although primarily  a Salsa band, is well acquainted with the many modern forms of Latin/American music styles, and has the personnel with the skill to play them.

Although most of  the band members take their turn as the lead singer,  Minerva Peña usually handles the vocals. This song is in the Salsa style, a type of music with many influences and close enough to folk music that the origins are disputable.The Salsa dance style is known for the energy of the footwork with the intermittent close embrace of the partners, punctuated by spins and turns. 

When I see him on the floor, 

I long to see him some more, 

his form and style excite no end. 

 

 He moves with rhythm and grace, 

with a big smile on his face,

 his body undulates to no end. 

 

Should I go talk to him,

 to satisfy my sexy whim, 

he makes my heart excited. 

 

The women crowd around him, 

waiting for a chance to cut in, 

so is there any chance for me? 

 

 His hair is of a stately raven, 

glistening silvery over the black, 

In his arms would be my safe haven,

 I'd love to be with him...on my back! 

 

 I wait such a little while,

 he looks at me and smiles,

 so I go over and talk to him. 

 

 I feel the heat he exudes,

 from his head to his shoes, 

I think I'm in love with him 

 

 He asked me to dance, 

here's at last my chance 

To be close to his body. 

 

 His eyes look brown and sweet, 

I'm consumed with him and the beat, 

I know for sure I'll go home with him.

 

 I want him like I want no other. 

Never had this feeling before! 

I want his body to encase and smother, 

The loneliness I've known!

 

 So we dance and smile all night, 

I feel so warm and light, 

As I meet his every movement. 

 

We dance and dance..... 

We start a romance...... 

My body wants him....

anywhere....any way....any time! 

 

His hair is of a stately raven, 

glistening silvery over the black,

In his arms would be my safe haven, 

I'd love to be with him...on my back!