Forever Freestyle 6: Bringing the Latin Disco Sound to Lehman Center

Latin influenced sounds bring back the Freestyle of the late 1980s and early 1990s

If you enjoy Freestyle and are a fan of artists such as Stevie B, Corina, Safire, Cynthia, Noel, Nayobe, Coro, Fascination, Strafe and the Vargas Brothers, then you will want to run, not walk, to Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, in the Bronx, where Lehman Center in association with Sal Abbatiello of Fever Records, presents 25 years of Freestyle music via “Forever Freestyle 6,” as part of Lehman Center’s 31st season.  The show, on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 8pm, reminds audiences of the Latin influence as expressed in the late ’80s and early ’90s as part of the Freestyle disco and hybrid Hip Hop of that era.  The concert features DJ Lucho and is hosted by Speedy and Sal Abbatiello.

Tickets for FOREVER FREESTYLE 6 taking place on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 8pm, are $60, $55 and $45 and can be purchased by calling the Lehman Center Box office at  718.960.8833 or going on line at www.LehmanCenter.org


Some of you may remember that Stevie B skyrocketed to fame with his 1987 club smash “Party Your Body,” also that the title track of his debut LP, went gold.  In 1989, he had his first Top-40 hits with “I Wanna Be the One,” “In My Eyes” and “Love Me for Life.”  His song “Because I Love You,” from his 1990’s Love & Emotion album, spent four weeks as #1 on the Billboard Hot 100s chart.

Corina released a self-titled album on Atco Records in 1991, and charted a string of dance hits such as “Out of Control” and “Whispers.”  Corina also included her single “Temptation” during the summer of 1991 as part of the Top-10 hits In 1999.  As an actress, she portrayed Frida Kahlo in the film “Cradle Will Rock.”

The popular Safire released her debut single, “Don’t Break My Heart” in 1986, followed by her even bigger hit “Let Me Be the One.”  When “Boy, I’ve Been Told” crossed over to pop radio, it became the #1-selling single in New York for twelve straight weeks.  In 1989, she wrote her biggest hit, “Thinking of You.”

Safire’s friend and fellow artist, Cynthia, began her career in 1987, with help from Safire.  She released two albums: a self titled debut featuring singles “Change on Me,” “Endless Night” and “Thief of Hearts,” as well as Cynthia II, which spawned “Love Me Tonight” and a duet with Johnny O, “Dream Boy/Dream Girl.”

Noel hit the dance singles charts in 1987 with “Silent Morning,” his first Top-10 hit.  In the late 1980s, “Like a Child” became his first #1 single.  “Out of Time,” topped the dance charts later that year.

Discovered by Sal Abbatiello at age 14, Nayobe, released “Please Don’t Go,” arguably the first Latin freestyle song ever recorded, which quickly gained airplay in nightclubs.  “Second Chance for Love” and “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” solidified her standing as a freestyle innovator.  She was the voice of Salma Hayek in the film “54.”

Although Coro got his start in the entertainment business playing bit parts in TV shows such as “Miami Vice,” he got his big break with the song “Where Are You Tonight.” This became a huge hit in the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom, reaching Billboard’s Club Chart and making #1 on DMA’s Dance Chart. He has also collaborated with pop artist Stevie B, who he will be sharing the show with on March 3rd.

Born in the Bronx, Fascination, had a huge success with her first release, “Why Ya Wanna Go,” followed by another huge hit, “Don’t You Think it’s Time.”  “Remember” hit Billboard’s Dance charts.  This led to a major endorsement deal for the artist with Coca Cola.

Composer, producer and musician Strafe, rocked the club world for over two decades with his signature masterpiece “Set It Off.”  This became the most sampled song of all time according to Billboard Magazine.  His singles “React,” “Comin’ from Another Place” and “Outlaw” followed on A&M Records.

The Vargas Brothers, Danny and Victor, had a hit with “Esa Loca,” which featured “Wepa Man.” “El Trago” followed.  Initially spinning hip hop records at Bronx parties, their popularity prompted crowds to follow the brother’s signature style of playing keyboards over dance tracks in clubs throughout New York City.

 

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is accessible by #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd. and is off the Saw Mill River Parkway and the Major Deegan Expressway.  Parking is available for $5.

 

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