Why this article is so Important and why it is included
One very good reason is that my good friend Larry Harlow is not given much (or any) credit for his
great contributions to our music. I don't mean as a musician, but for his behind the scenes efforts
in getting recognition for our music. The main reason for the mass media's attention to the Latin NY Music Awards was our intense criticism of NARAS for ignoring Latin music in the Grammy Awards. And... it was Harlow who bought this matter to my attention. Harlow was also greatly involved in the making of the historically important and influential film, "Our Latin Thing" featuring the Fania All-Stars. This article which was published in Billboard (the music Industry magazine), not only criticizes NARAS but also gives Harlow some of the credit he most certainly deserves.
GUEST EDITORIAL (April 1975 issue of Latin NY Magazine) FOR THE 17th CONSECUTIVE YEAR Latin Music Ignored Again by The NARAS - Grammies Committee
BY RAY TERRACE, (Latin Editor - Billboard Magazine, March 1975)
LOS ANGELES --
For the 17th consecutive year, Latin music was ignored at the NARAS
Awards ceremonies.
Many are convinced there is a compelling, urgent need for a specialized
Latin field within the NARAS framework.
Larry Harlow is a governor in the New York NARAS chapter and is taking
steps to move the group to petition the national body to award Grammies
annually for outstanding Latin musical performances on record.
Harlow argues that Latin music on disks consistently outsells jazz,
classical and most recordings of the spoken word, categories which have
their own competition.
New trends in the music profession, Harlow points out, and the rise in
the Latin population within the US. are proof that Spanish-oriented
music is climbing in popularity and will continue to accelerate. "By
1980," says Harlow. "there will be about 20 million Spanish speaking
persons in the US. South America, Puerto Rico and other Spanish speaking
nations are all active in recording."
Harlow emphasizes that NARAS membership must be integrated with people
from the Latin recording industry. He alone has brought in 50 members in
New York, and he stresses the need for this to be patterned in the
remaining chapters for adequate representation. It is mandatory, he
says, to enlighten representatives of the Latin field on the importance
and advantages of their membership, not only in the local chapters, but
on the national board of NARAS as well, which consists of members from
seven cities He is against 'commercialization" ("Americanization"), and
all '"tipico",' {typical Latin music), and hopes to see more promotion
instigated by record companies.
Another force in this argument is Izzy Sanabria, executive editor of
Latin NY. Magazine. He, too, propelled the need for Latin music to avoid
being stereotyped or "ethnic", because under this classification, it
prevents airplay and exposure to the Latin culture, music and the
artists.
As a major spokesman, he urges readers to call and mail letters to all
Spanish and English media such as television. radio, newspapers, etc. as
well as contacting the manufacturers of the products they purchase to
also instill awareness in them.
Some have emphasized that commercialization is to be avoided, and that
the retention of "relatively pure Latin music" from its natural
progression of aesthetic influences (as the result of several
civilizations), must prevail for maintaining the art. They feel that the
strength of Latin music survives due to its aesthetic excellence' rather
than its commercial. considerations Sanabria, on the other hand,
advocates the borrowing from other cultures (as rock artists borrowed
from Latin music) and incorporation of these experiences to create new
avenues of growth. He feels this would result in a national demand for
Latin music.
He would also like to see a reversal in the trend of booking practices
of upper East Side clubs. It is felt that Anglo audiences can be "turned
on" and it is a major function of Latin NY magazine to provide
realistic, positive images of where Latin artists and their music are
at. A step in the right direction will be accomplished May 4 with the
Latin Music Awards poll sponsored by Latin NY magazine at the Beacon
Theater in New York.
Therefore, to achieve "Latin Recognition," the Latin music industry
itself has to become unified, with increased Latin membership and active
participation at NARAS meetings by Latin and non-Latin artists (such as
the support of rock musician Stephen Stills). There should be promotion
by record companies and radio stations as well as appearances at major
concerts, network TV, etc.
When this successful merger is fulfilled. there can be increase Latin
categories at the Grammy Awards such as: Best Arranger, Best Engineer,
Best Album Cover, Best Album Notes, etc..
Some have emphasized that commercialization is to be avoided, and that
the retention of "relatively pure Latin music" from its natural
progression of aesthetic influences (as the result of several
civilizations), must prevail for maintaining the art. They feel that the
strength of Latin music survives due to its aesthetic excellence' rather
than its commercial. considerations Sanabria, on the other hand,
advocates the borrowing from other cultures (as rock artists borrowed
from Latin music) and incorporation of these experiences to create new
avenues of growth. He feels this would result in a national demand for
Latin music.