Grupo Fuego

***** (5 stars!!!)
This CD is quite a pleasant surprize. At first play of this CD I noticed the quality of the music and production. Every song is a quality hit, these young gentlemen are truely talented and know what they are doing. They have produced a high quality Merengue CD that will please any party crowd and merengue lover. I dare you to put this on and stand still - impossible!! Again these are very talented voices with quality hits. Im glad its part of my music collection. Also on the CD are bachata, Reggaeton, balada and Salsa. Thank you Grupo Fuego. - LatinMusicNow.net / Sonny Cruz / October 21, 2007

Grupo Fuego, which translates to “The Fire Group,” formed in the fall of 1999 as a six-piece Latin band with Afro-Cuban leanings and urban flair. Latin bands for the past ten years and have a rich repertoire of Latin grooves. They describe their music as “tropical music full of hot rhythms combined with cool melodies to the sounds of merengue, reggaeton, bachata, salsa, and balada.”

It’s hot stuff. With a wide range of styles, GF appeals to a broad range of music fans, with an energy filled approach to style and rhythm and a sound that’s ultimately inspiring of dance. Though whittled down to a core threesome, the group has a mass of shifting musicians in the line-up (in the Parliament-Funkadelic tradition) and continues to grow in popularity and they’re helping put Cleveland on the map as a bastion of Latin music.

The group’s bilingual sophomore effort is titled The Element, produced by three-time Grammy Award winner, Freddy Mendez. He seems to understand their chemistry and ability and plays to the group’s penchant for melody. With a spicy set list that ranges from slow-burning (“Decidete,” “Pa Que Lo Bailes Tu”) to crowd-pleasing dance numbers like “Chica De Fuego,” these guys have taken local Latin music to an all new level. Time to get your groove on, Cleveland.

On Friday, November 9 at 9PM, Grupo Fuego films their new music video from The Element at the View Nightclub, 618 Prospect Ave. They will also be debuting all their new music material live on that evening. Visit the band at http://www.grupofuego.com. For more details on the evening of live music and filming, visit http://www.tropicalcleveland.com.

Check out the hot track “Chica De Fuego” by clicking here. Buy the disc at http://cdbaby.com/cd/grupofuegomusic. - CoolCleveland.com / Peter Chakerian / November 6, 2007

Al escuchar sus canciones se entiende fácil que sus influencias son los merengueros de éxito, pero al mismo tiempo la bachata -que también interpretan-, la salsa, el reggaetón, las baladas románticas y hasta las cumbias.

Julio L. Rodríguez es el pianista que dirige la orquesta de 13 músicos que tiene su base en Cleveland, Ohio, y que se formó en 1998. Todos sus miembros son puertorriqueños y "es por eso que nuestro merengue tiene un sabor diferente, tanto en su música como en sus ritmos", dijo a La Raza al ser entrevistado a propósito de su presentación el 19 de junio en el Humboldt Park.

Desde que el año pasado lanzaron su primer trabajo discográfico "Grupo Fuego" han ganado popularidad por sus ingeniosas letras y pegajoso ritmo. Algunas de sus canciones hacen recordar el contagiante "Suavemente" de Elvis Crespo. "A través del tiempo, desde nuestra formación, hemos evolucionado muy rápido adecuándonos a los cambios de sonidos y ritmos que más le gustan a la gente. Así es que hemos pulido nuestro estilo que tiene rasgos de varios grupos de este género, como Grupomanía, Límite 21 y otros que han influido en nuestra música" reveló Rodríguez.

Su grupo marca diferencias con el merengue dominicano. El director de esta agrupación considera que ello se debe a que "la música crece, cambia y adquiere estilos. En cada país se le pone algo propio a un género musical y lo distingue de esta manera aún siendo del mismo género, eso es lo que nos ha pasado a nosotros con nuestro merengue".

Para su visita a nuestra ciudad Rodríguez anuncia que han tomado este compromiso con mucha seriedad, porque quiere ofrecer una presentación que quede en el recuerdo de la gente que asista. "Vamos a llevar un show muy distinto y sobre todo, garantizamos una entrega total de cada uno de nosotros en la tarima. Ofreceremos nuestro mejor esfuerzo y esperamos que les guste nuestra música. Con sus aplausos estamos por demás pagados", finalizó. © La Raza - La Raza Newspaper / Eduardo Alegria / June 6, 2005

Where did your name originate and what does it mean to you?

Our name “Grupo Fuego” means “The Fire Group”. We decided to go with that name to describe the intensity and flavor of our music. We play music that makes your body move with hot and sexy dances.

How would you describe your music in your own words?

We cover the genres of Caribbean music including merengue, salsa, and bachata. We also include the genres of reggaeton and occasional ballads. Our music concentrates on festive, romantic, and patriotic themes, which have one thing in common: to please the dancer and the listener at the same time.

Is your music exclusively in Spanish or do you have English songs too?

So far we only do Spanish songs, but in the past, we have played music from Santana, which is in English. We’ll probably do an English song in our next album.

How do you feel that everyone has treated you since you started in the music biz?

Well, since we started, we have enjoyed a big support from Ohio’s Latin community. We are at the point on which we are promoting our music at a national and international level, and so far we have been welcomed everywhere with open arms.

Is there any new albums, demos, videos or anything else that is scheduled to be released in 2005?

At the moment we are still promoting our first CD, “Grupo Fuego”. We are already working on new material for our next album probably coming out on 2006. We just finished shooting a music video for the song “Fuego” which is still being edited.

If so, can you tell us about them?

Well, the CD “Grupo Fuego” released on November 15, 2004 on EsNtion Latino Records, is full of rhythm and melody and includes the Latin genres of merengue, bachata, reggaeton, and ballad. The first promotional cut “Fuego” has done real well on Record Pools and is getting decent radio airplay. The music video for it was done in Miami and promises to be real hot like the song.

Where can people go online to listen to your music?

They can visit www.grupofuego.com

How do you promote your music & website?

We are promoting our music through radio, presentations, festivals, DJ record pools, Internet, E-mails, newsletters, you name it.

What do you hope to accomplish before the end of 2005?

To be known at a national and international level and of course sell a lot of records!

What is your official website?

www.grupofuego.com

How can people get in touch with you for more info or bookings?

They can call (216) 832-6248, or e-mail us at info@grupofuego.com .

Is there anything that you want to say to your fans and other up and coming musicians?

We would like to thank all our fans because we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. Thanks for all your support. To up coming musicians, we tell them to never give up on your dreams, stick together as a band on good and bad times, and never to forget the people that got you there.

Discography: Grupo Fuego (2004)

Influences: Grupo Mania, Elvis Crespo, Limite 21.

Shout outs: To all the wonderful people at EsNtion Records in Chicago. We love you guys!!

Anything else you want to add?

We always like to remind people about the importance of supporting the local music acts, in our case, Latin music. There are many good bands in different cities that break up because the lack of support. Music is a beautiful art. Don’t let it go to waste. Also, we would like to thank you for this great opportunity on letting people know a little bit about Grupo Fuego.
- Indie Street Latino (www.indiestreetlatino.com) / Angela Perez-Islas / April, 2005

For the young and old, Grupo Fuego will leave you hot and wanting to move your hips. Their name is “Grupo Fuego,” and so is the concept behind their style. “We are a music collaboration, we make bachata, merengue, reggaeton, romantic ballads and more to please our young and old people,” says director Julio Rodriguez, who plays piano in the orchestra. “We are 13 musicians, a real orchestra but depending on the concert or club space, we have to adapt ourselves to the client budget.” This group has a little of everything, three singers, a keyboardist, several drummers; congas, drums, guiro, pipes, and trumpets.

Grupo Fuego has several members that were already a part of other bands in Cleveland, Ohio. Julio Rodriguez comments, “We had our origin back in 1998 to express our Caribbean energy and for people to dance and enjoy music and this energy so hot, we call it ‘fuego [fire]’.” All the members are Puerto Ricans but have an open mind to share their fire with every race. Julio says, “We play cumbias too!”.

The vision for Grupo Fuego is now clear—to continue producing hits and encouraging their people in the Midwest US to reach their dreams of being musicians too. Rodriguez says that “the idea should be to try to let everyone know at the national level that there is also much talent here in the Midwest.” Grupo Fuego’s songs can be heard on local Chicago radio. Also EsnTion Latino Records (www.esntion.com) is promoting them and very soon they will visit Chicago. To find out more, visit their website www.GrupoFuego.com or email them at info@grupofuego.com.
- Extra Newspaper / Victor Flores / September 23, 2004

Los contagiosos ritmos de la musica latina tienen a la ciudad de Cleveland, Ohio, prendida en fuego. Una parte integral de este fenomeno en esa ciudad, ha sido el explosivo atractivo del Grupo Fuego.

Formado en el otoño de 1999, Grupo Fuego esta bendecido con un talento musical que ha permanecido constante y unido a traves de los años, y lo que ha resultado en un sonido potente y unico. Grupo Fuego ha compartido el escenario con muchas de las leyendas de esta gran musica, entre ellas: Victor Manuelle, Elvis Crespo, Tito Rojas, Grupo Aventura, Monchi y Alexandra, y Huey Dunbar. El grupo acredita su exito, en parte, a estos artistas, ya que ayudaron dando a conocer la musica de la banda.

El album del debut de Grupo Fuego fue producido por el tres veces ganador del Grammy y leyenda de la musica latina, Freddy Mendez. Su mezcla de ritmos caribeños y merengue tradicional ayudaron a Grupo Fuego a llevar su musica a nuevas alturas.

Contratados por el nuevo sello disquero, EsNtion, Grupo Fuego esta preparado para prender en fuego al mundo. - El Playero Newspaper / December, 2004

Album produced by
3 Time Grammy ™ Winner Freddy Mendez.
Remixes produced by DJ Creme of The Commissioners, and DJ Papito Red, Winner of the PEPSI (Power 92) Best Unsigned Reggaeton Artist Contest.


Grupo Fuego's NEW SINGLE "Muevelo", is currently airing on KTU (New York)
and all around the US.

Grupo Fuego has been part of many Latino and multi-cultural events including performances at Latino del Norte Arts' Festival, Cincy-Cinco Festival in Cincinnati, Fiesta Olé in Louisville, Toledo Latinofest, an appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Latino Heritage Day, the Cleveland Music Hall for Brewfest, the Puerto Rican Cultural Festival and Parade in Cleveland, the Taste of Cleveland Festival, the Columbus Latino Festival, "El Día de los Niños" in Columbus and the Cityfolk Festival in Dayton, among many others.

The debut album from Grupo Fuego was produced by 3 time Grammy winner, and Latin music legend, Freddy Mendez. His blend of Caribbean rhythms and traditional meringue helped Grupo Fuego take their sound to new heights. And, now, signed to the hottest new Latin Music label on the planet, EsNtion Latino, Grupo Fuego is poised to set the world on fire (en Fuego).

Grupo Fuego has also shared the stage with many legends of Latin music including Victor Manuelle, Elvis Crespo, Tito Rojas, Grupo Aventura, Monchi y Alexandra, and Huey Dunbar. Thanks, in part, to the assistance of these fine and talented people, Grupo Fuego has really been catching the public's ear.

DJ CREME REMIX
Building on Mixshows Around the USA

Fresno La Kalle
El Paso KYSE-FM 94.7
Denver KJMN-FM 92.1
New York WKTU FM
Albuquerque KRZY-FM 105.9
Washington WLZL-FM 99.1
Philadelphia WEMG-AM 1310
Orlando WRUM-FM 100.3
Atlanta WWVA-FM 105.7
Los Angeles KXOL-FM 96.3
Riverside, San Bernardino KWIE-FM 96.1
New York WSKQ-FM 97.9 9.9
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale WXDJ-FM 95.7
Houston KLOL-FM 101.1
Dallas-Ft. Worth KZZA-FM 106.7
Phoenix KVIB-FM 95.1
Sacramento KBMB-FM 103.5
Fresno-Tulare KSLK-FM 96.1
Las Vegas KRRN-FM 92.7
Monterrey KSES-FM 107.1
Hartford WLAT-AM 910
Laredo KNEX-FM 106.1
El Centro Yuma KSEH-FM 94.5
Palm Springs KLOB-FM 94.7
Ft. Myers WTLQ-FM 97.7
Raleigh, NC WYMY-FM 96.9
Lubbock KAIQ-FM 95.5
Providence WKKB-FM 100.3
Modesto KTSE-FM 97.1
Jacksonville WFJO-FM 92.5
Allentown WHOL-AM 1600
Benton, TN WSAA-FM 93.1

Band Currently Touring US and Puerto Rico
- Media Services NYC / August 15, 2006