Raquel
Soy Filipina
Raquel's powerful, sensual songs range from salsa, timba, bolero and danzon to Latin and flamenco pop, featuring vocals in Spanish and Tagalog
Award-winning singer and composer Raquel Berlind has been performing with her band Bolero y Mas since the year 2000. She won the Premio Ganador at the international Latin music competition, La Festival de La Cancion, for her composition "Mi Vida Contigo" in 2000. In 2005 she returned to La Festival, winning the award for Best Performance and the Premio de Plata for composition for "Cuando Te Vas," as well as an Honorable Mention for "Puedes Hacer Todo." Raquel was the only non-Latina performer at the competition, and yet gave one of the most passionate and beautiful performances. San Francisco Art Magazine had this to say about her:
“If there is such a person in existence who is a Filipina, Spanish-singing, Bay Area-based comparison to Sade, she can be found in a band called Bolero Y Mas. Possessing smooth sultry vocals with a lightly husky quality, their lead singer, Raquel fronts this sensual rhythmic Cuban band. …They also bring to the table their own award winning compositions like the song "Mi Vida Contigo." In fact, Raquel was honored with the "Pamana Award" (a Filipino Arts Heritage award) at our own Yerba Buena Center for the Arts…”
~ SF Art Magazine, 2002
Raquel's CD Soy Filipina was recorded in the SF Bay Area as well as Vera Cruz, Mexico, and offers Latin Rock and Pop, Salsa, Bolero, Timba and Danzon. The songs are primarily in Spanish, though two are in Tagalog. These beautiful arrangements feature some of the finest musicians of the genre, including her husband--percussionist, vocalist and co-producer Alexey Berlind--as well as Jason Moen, Mario Vega, Tomasito Cruz, Alonzo Blanco, Paul Clanon, Angel Luis Guerrero, Mike Lazarus, Bill Theurer, Rolf Johnson, Marco Antonio Hoyo and many more. Thanks for checking out our music!
Latin: Danzon