With the genre exploding now more than ever, you went and did a superb job on the lines between narcocultura, "official" history, and history. I think your work on narco war in general similarly seeks truth beyond ideology. When the border crisis was no longer useful as a political instrument, from the left AND right (whatever they mean), you kept accurately reporting the crisis that was brewing in Juarez still. Suddenly the 24/7 coverage on all mainstream sites stopped. Chalino, the man, which oftentimes is lost in his myth. You're truly a truth-seeking journalist. Saludos desde Juárez.
Thanks so much Alan and that means a huge amount to me. I used to be more ideological when I was younger but I know I shoot more for truth, knowledge and wisdom. It's to try and cut through the noise and really say what is happening but that is what I am for. And sure, we don't need to all follow the constant switch of what the crowd are doing but to keep seeing the reality. All best there and keep in touch friend.
Great stuff Ioan. I first heard a Chalino song a Mexico City bus (pesero) in 1996. I was living off the Perisur near TV Azteca, and on Sundays always travelled by bus from there to either San Angel or to Coyoacan. Our trip back was always late afternoon and required catching a special bus in San Angel. It was approximately a 20-25 minute trip back to our stop at the foot of Unidad Elias Calles and there were no stops in between. The driver always played loud music, and on one occasion he played a song that was so distinctive that I walked to the front and asked him who was singing. It was Chalino Sanchez and I bought my first Chalino CD the next time I was in Coyoacan and still have it.
Great story Jim. Yeah, once you realize it you seem to hear his songs in every shop and building site and cantina. What a legend and I think very different from the guys today. 1996 must have been a cool era to be in Mexico City. Best there.
Such a brilliant write up on a man who was able to transcend past his own lane to the point that ‘gringos’ like myself in Scotland with a house music background and with no link whatsoever to his style of music were aware of him. From everything I’ve read about him the Eazy E comparisons could not be more spot on. Someone who maybe didn’t have the best voice and wasn’t the best rapper or singer but despite that they were both real and what they sung and rapped to the world was based on knowledge and experience rather than something manufactured to sell records.
Yeah, making this series I felt kind of close to Chalino in a strange way. What a character. What house music do you like? I worked out in Ibiza for a summer back in 99, selling tickets for Amnesia, and I used to be involved in some pirate radio in London.
My parents told me your book arrived as well, and it seems you even have your own distribution network. I should get to it by June, and I'll include it on the quarterly newsletter.
An that’s so cool and, yeah, Amnesia is a place I’ve darkened its doors many times! Being on that terrace around 9am knowing you took it too far ha ha. I’ve always really liked guys like Derrick Carter, Masters at Work, Roger Sanchez, Marco Carola etc but that’s the beauty of the white isle. There’s always a night to cater for the genre you’re specifically into.
Thanks for letting me know the book arrived, mate. Completely forgot to let you know a signed copy had been posted for you.
Yeah those guys I mentioned are more your American OGs delivering a bit more on the soulful, funky and tribal house and still doing it now. Back in the early nineties when I was a DJ in Scotland I broke from what was more popular here with hardcore techno and, instead, played Drum & Bass / Jungle.
During that period I really looked up to guys like Fabio & Grooverider, LTJ Bukem, Ray Keith, Top Buzz, Randall, DJ SS and many more.
Even now I can listen to an Andy C set at any given point. An absolute don, him!
Hi Ioan, a great piece and congrats on the creation of the documentary. I will watch it this weekend! Thanks for creating content about Chalino, a person that a lot of us admire (as a singer) but that we don’t really know much about. I love Chalino in my carnes asadas and his voice and style have been imitated by many, but never matched. El original de la sierra, el as de la sierra, his own son, etc, but never quite like Chalino. Too bad he died so young. My favorite piece is Baraja de Oro, not sure if he composed it though.
Love your work. I believe you must be one of the best researchers of the Narco culture in the world, if not the best, and that tells a lot. Please keep them coming, along with your books, and be safe!
Thanks so much Adrian for those words. Yes, Chalino is such a personality and I think represents some good sides of his culture as well as some dark ones. Talk of carne aasada makes me hungry. Best there friend and keep in touch.
Ioan, Congrats in producing this project and telling the story of a Mexican Icon. The thing that makes Chalino stand out compared to American gangster rappers, is that Tupac & Biggie aside, they were mostly poseurs. Chailino likely wrote a song knowing that it could be his own epitaph.
Thanks Bobby. Yes, indeed. Chalino was an icon in a different era, a spirit of rebellion and of a certain culture from the ranch to the border to the city. And it's true when you listen to corridos, what is exciting is you know it is all real. Un abrazo friend, I hope all is well there.
With the genre exploding now more than ever, you went and did a superb job on the lines between narcocultura, "official" history, and history. I think your work on narco war in general similarly seeks truth beyond ideology. When the border crisis was no longer useful as a political instrument, from the left AND right (whatever they mean), you kept accurately reporting the crisis that was brewing in Juarez still. Suddenly the 24/7 coverage on all mainstream sites stopped. Chalino, the man, which oftentimes is lost in his myth. You're truly a truth-seeking journalist. Saludos desde Juárez.
Thanks so much Alan and that means a huge amount to me. I used to be more ideological when I was younger but I know I shoot more for truth, knowledge and wisdom. It's to try and cut through the noise and really say what is happening but that is what I am for. And sure, we don't need to all follow the constant switch of what the crowd are doing but to keep seeing the reality. All best there and keep in touch friend.
Great stuff Ioan. I first heard a Chalino song a Mexico City bus (pesero) in 1996. I was living off the Perisur near TV Azteca, and on Sundays always travelled by bus from there to either San Angel or to Coyoacan. Our trip back was always late afternoon and required catching a special bus in San Angel. It was approximately a 20-25 minute trip back to our stop at the foot of Unidad Elias Calles and there were no stops in between. The driver always played loud music, and on one occasion he played a song that was so distinctive that I walked to the front and asked him who was singing. It was Chalino Sanchez and I bought my first Chalino CD the next time I was in Coyoacan and still have it.
Great story Jim. Yeah, once you realize it you seem to hear his songs in every shop and building site and cantina. What a legend and I think very different from the guys today. 1996 must have been a cool era to be in Mexico City. Best there.
Such a brilliant write up on a man who was able to transcend past his own lane to the point that ‘gringos’ like myself in Scotland with a house music background and with no link whatsoever to his style of music were aware of him. From everything I’ve read about him the Eazy E comparisons could not be more spot on. Someone who maybe didn’t have the best voice and wasn’t the best rapper or singer but despite that they were both real and what they sung and rapped to the world was based on knowledge and experience rather than something manufactured to sell records.
Yeah, making this series I felt kind of close to Chalino in a strange way. What a character. What house music do you like? I worked out in Ibiza for a summer back in 99, selling tickets for Amnesia, and I used to be involved in some pirate radio in London.
My parents told me your book arrived as well, and it seems you even have your own distribution network. I should get to it by June, and I'll include it on the quarterly newsletter.
An that’s so cool and, yeah, Amnesia is a place I’ve darkened its doors many times! Being on that terrace around 9am knowing you took it too far ha ha. I’ve always really liked guys like Derrick Carter, Masters at Work, Roger Sanchez, Marco Carola etc but that’s the beauty of the white isle. There’s always a night to cater for the genre you’re specifically into.
Thanks for letting me know the book arrived, mate. Completely forgot to let you know a signed copy had been posted for you.
Nice one feller. I'll check out those names. I'm more familiar with Drum and Bass producers and deejays...
Yeah those guys I mentioned are more your American OGs delivering a bit more on the soulful, funky and tribal house and still doing it now. Back in the early nineties when I was a DJ in Scotland I broke from what was more popular here with hardcore techno and, instead, played Drum & Bass / Jungle.
During that period I really looked up to guys like Fabio & Grooverider, LTJ Bukem, Ray Keith, Top Buzz, Randall, DJ SS and many more.
Even now I can listen to an Andy C set at any given point. An absolute don, him!
Yeah I saw all those drum and bass and jungle deejays back in the day and plenty more. My fave was Randall - "too hot to handle."
I just saw the first episode of the series, great job Ioan! Thankyou.
Thanks for watching Carlos. Yes, I am really happy how it came out.
Hi Ioan, a great piece and congrats on the creation of the documentary. I will watch it this weekend! Thanks for creating content about Chalino, a person that a lot of us admire (as a singer) but that we don’t really know much about. I love Chalino in my carnes asadas and his voice and style have been imitated by many, but never matched. El original de la sierra, el as de la sierra, his own son, etc, but never quite like Chalino. Too bad he died so young. My favorite piece is Baraja de Oro, not sure if he composed it though.
Love your work. I believe you must be one of the best researchers of the Narco culture in the world, if not the best, and that tells a lot. Please keep them coming, along with your books, and be safe!
Thanks so much Adrian for those words. Yes, Chalino is such a personality and I think represents some good sides of his culture as well as some dark ones. Talk of carne aasada makes me hungry. Best there friend and keep in touch.
Ioan, Congrats in producing this project and telling the story of a Mexican Icon. The thing that makes Chalino stand out compared to American gangster rappers, is that Tupac & Biggie aside, they were mostly poseurs. Chailino likely wrote a song knowing that it could be his own epitaph.
Thanks Bobby. Yes, indeed. Chalino was an icon in a different era, a spirit of rebellion and of a certain culture from the ranch to the border to the city. And it's true when you listen to corridos, what is exciting is you know it is all real. Un abrazo friend, I hope all is well there.