TKA, George Lamond, Judy Torres, Sweet Sensation, Soave, Co.ro., and Cynthia

American Latin freestyle dance group TKA (Total Knowledge Action), rose to popularity in the 80’s. Originally formed of Tony, Kayel and Aby who were discovered by record producer Joey Gardner when he saw them perform at a sweet sixteen party. With the help of Gardner, TKA signed with Tommy Boy Records with whom they released their debut album ‘Scars of Love’ with in 1987.

The first single to come off the record ‘One Way Love’ may not have been a major commercial success but garnered incredible popularity within the clubs in Latin communities residing in Miami and New York. Releasing their follow up album ‘Louder Than Love’ in 1990 saw them diversify by adopting slick contemporary R&B grooves.

By the mid-nineties, freestyling was almost a thing of the past and TKA felt the blow as they disbanded to pursue solo projects. Reuniting in 2001, TKA released the album ‘Forever’ and revived their legendary live shows. Even twenty years on TKA are still infinitely cool, causing hysteria as soon as they hit the stage with their explosive energy.

In matching slick suits, the lads slide onto stage with their synchronised dance routines as they entice the already excitable crowd to clap along. Playing tracks such as ‘I Won’t Give Up On You’ and ‘Crash (Have Some Fun)’ are welcomed additions to the set. The band’s chemistry is incredibly tight and despite all the energetic exercises on stage, their vocals are on point. Both visually and audibly entertaining, TKA will have you up on your feet grooving along.

Not to sound derogatory to either artist, but George Lamond is the Michael Jackson of Latino pop. He has taken the breakbeat pulses, dream house synth swashes and high pitched coos heard on classic albums like “Dangerous” and “Rhythm Nation 1814” and has milked it for all its worth. He is not at all a rip off artist, rather he has greatly expanded on this 90s tinged R&B pop style and has introduced new Latin flavors and other sonic variations into the mix.

His concerts are overtly stimulating, in both audio and visual contexts. Loud blasts of electronics blare from the speakers and flashes of light shoot on and off the stage. Lamond also adds elements of choreography to his concerts and is almost always accompanied by a group of back up dancers. The movement of the dancers is fierce and seemingly unwieldy; however they always prove to strictly match up with the spectacular light displays and rhythm of the music.

Lamond is still pumping up the volume and churning out pop gems. His current shows are met with just as much enthusiasm from the audience as they did when he first played the “Bad of the Heart” at the Apollo. These days it is even possible to catch him at much more personable venues. You might even see him performing Latin freestyle on a cruise to the Bahamas.

Pop diva Judy Torres garnered attention for her powerhouse vocals and dance/ R&B albums during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Besides having songs like “Love Story” and “Come Into My Arms” land in the Billboard top 40s during her peak years, Torres also had her own freestyle show on New York’s radio station WKTU 103.5 until 2009. Judy grew up in the Bronx, New York into a Puerto Rican family. Her music has influences from her background as the danceable tracks distinctively feature Latino-inspired rhythms.
To appreciate Torres’s music in its entirety it makes sense to see her live. Most of her recordings are based on the “freestyle” she is most known for. She engages with her audience with her charismatic smile, talking to them as if addressing her best friend. Torres is multi-talented because not only is she a singer, but also a comedienne, storyteller, and hype girl during her performances. She encourages everyone around her to copy her cha-cha-cha moves across the stage and join her in belting out the lyrics to her songs. One of my favorite tracks is Torres’s 2005 cover of Journey’s “Faithfully,” which is a disco female-sung version of the original.

Always a great live performance! I saw him at the Hudson Heart Red Ball in Poughkeepsie NY on Valentines Day 2015. He and his dancers "the Evolution of Hip Hop" always put on phenomenal performances.

Co.ro. Was really good with high energy. His backup dancers were another story they were sexy but stiff as hell and couldn't dance. He sang about 3 songs I loved the performance. I'd see him again for sure. I only saw him cause I went to see Lissette sexy ass Melendez

Cynthia has been on the scene now for upwards of twenty years. She is one of those very rare singers who most often sings freestyle and somehow it just sort of works. She is of Puerto Rican descent, and began her career at the age of sixteen singing in a group with someone who would later become her freestyle contemporary, an artist called Sa-Fire, who in fact gave Cynthia the opportunity to sing these songs in front of a huge record producer of the time, and two weeks after, she earned herself a contract for MicMac Records.

When she performs live she is utterly captivating with her fantastic chops and her wonderful charismatic stage presence. When she freestyles, it is something pretty special and original, of course sounding as though she has rehearsed this song for weeks before this performance. Some of the biggest moments of the set are when she performs “Change On Me” which she struts around the stage during, and even the song “Endless Night”.