Music of Puerto Rico - Artists: Jyve V

Jyve V - Rock

The five man Puerto Rican Latin pop band Jyve V includes: Jasond Calderon Vargas, Samuel Padua Pérez, Rafa (Rafael) Calderon Vargas, Alex (Victor Alejandro) Martínez Nieves and Chelo (José Oscar) Mejias Hernández. The group's name comes from the dance style and the number of its members, although the group started with only three: Jasond and his brother Rafa, and Alex.

Their first public exposure came during a dance contest called "Battle of the Sexes" in 1997, which they won and were "discovered" in Puerto Rico at an open call for the TV show "Sueños de Fama" on the Telemundo TV network. The next year, 1998, they traveled to Miami where they also won another dance contest that was nationally televised in the USA. It led to a recording contract with EMI.

The spirited group has had two CD releases to date: their self titled debut album released in March of 2000, followed by Solar, released last November. Their Jyve V debut album, on the EMI label, includes a mix of English but mostly Spanish songs, including two composed by band members.

The songs range from pop, to tropical pop, to romantic ballad. Along the lines of N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys, Jyve V adds a Latin flavor that overflows with energy... great vocals and dance moves. Their hit song, Entre Tu y Yo, composed by Alejandro Montalbán is a fine example of their work. Other worthy tracks include songs like "Niña Bonita", which they sung on the Jenny Jones television show to a national audience, "Maria Morena", "I Pray", "Magic of the Night", which is the theme song for the "Destination Stardom" television show on the Pax TV network, and "No Me Digas Que No".

The group's follow-up album, Solar, provides a great mix of fast tempo songs and slow, romantic ballads, most in Spanish but a few in English as well. The album has a nice balance between solo parts and group vocals, all well complemented by consistently good arrangements. The CD starts off with "Vete de Mi," a a high energy song which is immediately followed by a tender ballad, "Solo a Tu Lado Quiero Vivir," featuring sensitive vocal performances that belie the groups youthfulness. The CD is rounded out with other good tracks such as "Rumba", "Ayer," another ballad and "Fantasy".