It was at "El Papagayo", a local night club, that people first had the chance to catch Luis' act. Applying what he had taught himself to the musical styles of bossa nova, Brazilian samba, Afro-Uruguayan candombe, salsa, boleros and jazz, his impressive technique and inherent talent won audiences over night after night. It was here that he began to sing as well, crooning folk songs to delight the crowds.
From 1985 until 1991, Luis worked for Egle Martin, a well known Argentinean singer, dancer, and producer who hired Luis to participate in "Ritos and Candombe," her successful show. Martin was so mesmerized by Luis' playing that she invited him to play on her bossa-nova album "El Atre Del Encuentro."
From this moment on, Luis became a band-leader. Undoubtedly, he was a more experienced, mature and self-assured musician. His late night jam sessions at "Oliverio" (and other Beunos Aires' clubs), attracted numerous foreign musicians who were playing in Buenos Aires. Many were part of the audience and some of them played with Luis, in terrific after-hours sessions. Among them guitarists Al Di Meola, Frank Gambale, Joe Pass, Scott Henderson, Baden Powell and Mike Stern; percussionists Ray Barretto, Winard Harper and Gumbi Ortiz; multi instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal and other celebrities (Djavan, Taj Mahal, Horacio Salgan and others).
In 1993, Swedish pianist Anders Person invited Luis to play at the Umea Jazz festival, followed by a small tour of Sweden. After this tour, Luis went into the studio with Person to record "Aire De Tango," for the Dragon Label.
Back in Buenos Aires, Luis recorded his first solo album, a self-produced live recording called Luis Salinas En Vivo (released by an independent label in 1994). The record featured his own quintet and showcased his now inimitable style of Latino phrasings, jazz rhythms and all out blistering guitar hero posturing. The influences of guitar greats such as Jeff Beck, Joe Pass, and George Benson were becoming more evident, as was his potential as a recording artist.
In 1995, Luis was signed by the GRP Recording Company, and in March of '96 he recorded his debut for the label, entitled Salinas, with various musicians from his idol, George Benson's group. George was so impressed with Luis' playing that he invited him to his home in New Jersey so that the two could play together. It resulted in a hair-raising six hour jam session that neither player is ever likely to forget.
Salinas is an adventurous outing for the Argentinean guitar player and vocalist. Consisting of twelve Salinas originals, Salinas is produced by renowned producer, and GRP president Tommy LiPuma and (George Benson alum) Ricky Peterson. The record successfully combines Luis' Afro-Argentinean dynamic, with Peterson's textural, expansive arrangements. The opening track, La Salsalinas, begins with a melodic chord solo giving way to a rhythmic romp through Salinas' musical history. Fluid bop lines juxtaposed over an airy salsa swing create an almost cerebral groove. Paul Peterson's soft, brooding bass line pulsates knowingly, while drummer Michael Bland lays down the infectious groove. Funky Tango, sounds like George Benson on a beach in Argentina. The Mob (La Pesada) displays Luis' enhanced melodic sense, while Count on Me (Cuenta Conmigo) is a beautiful ballad, sung soulfully by Luis, proving that this guitar wizard isn't all chops.
After recording his debut for GRP, Luis was invited to open the label's night at the 30th edition of the Montreaux Jazz Festival, where he performed with Impulse! recording artist, pianist Danilo Perez.
Salinas, marks the arrival of a special talent. Luis Salinas is as versatile as he is astonishing. Now this national treasure can become an international star
Contigo en la distancia
Luis Salinas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya todo parece distinto,
Cuando no estás junto a mi.
No hay bella melodía,
En que no surjas tú,
Y no quiero escucharla
Si no la escuchas tu.
Pues que te has convertido en parte de mi alma,
Si no estás tú también,
Más allá de tus labios, del sol y las estrellas,
Contigo en la distancia,
Amada mía, estoy.
Cuenta conmigo por si tuvieras que encontrar algún motivo.
Si necesitas algo más que conformarte,
Si se te ocurre por ejemplo, enamorarte, aquí me tienes,
Siempre dispuesto,
A ver el mundo como tú ni lo imaginas, y si me quieres ver feliz
Y no te avivas, cierra los ojos
Al aroma de una rosa,
Mientras mi alma te cuenta cosas.
Cosas que nunca te dijeron hasta ahora, si eres consciente de la gente que te adora, de ser un poco
La razon de esta canción.
Y si resulta,
Que no resulta mi sistema de quererte, cuenta conmigo
Nada más que para verte,
Y si tuvieras que dejarme,
No te ocupes,
Yo me podría acomodar sin molestarte,
En un rincón donde pudieras acordarte, que cuando el tiempo haya pasado
Y tengas ganas,
Esas ganas,
Me encontrarás.
In this heartwarming love song, Luis Salinas expresses his unconditional love and devotion to his significant other, highlighting how he cannot imagine a single moment without her. He states how everything seems different and incomplete when she is not around. Even in the most beautiful melodies and songs, he cannot find joy and pleasure if she is not listening beside him. She has become an inseparable part of his soul, and he cannot be happy without her presence.
He further asserts that he would always stand by her, no matter what obstacle she might face in her life. He encourages her to dream big, fall in love with life, and explore the world around her, with him beside her. Luis Salinas assures his significant other that he would be there to support and cherish her throughout the journey. And even if the time comes when she has to part ways with him, he would gracefully accept it and stay in a corner where she could remember him.
Overall, Contigo En La Distancia is a beautiful love song layered with emotion and affection, driving the message of a love that is pure, selfless, and eternal.
Line by Line Meaning
No existe un momento en el día en que pueda apartarme de ti.
There is no moment in the day when I can be away from you.
Ya todo parece distinto, cuando no estás junto a mi.
Everything seems different when you are not with me.
No hay bella melodía, en que no surjas tú, y no quiero escucharla si no la escuchas tu.
There is no beautiful melody that does not have you in it. I don't want to listen to it if you are not listening too.
Pues que te has convertido en parte de mi alma, ya nada me conforma, si no estás tú también.
You have become a part of my soul. Nothing satisfies me if you are not with me.
Más allá de tus labios, del sol y las estrellas, contigo en la distancia, amada mía, estoy.
Beyond your lips, the sun, and the stars, I am with you in the distance, my beloved.
Cuenta conmigo por si tuvieras que encontrar algún motivo.
Count on me if you need to find a reason.
Si necesitas algo más que conformarte, si se te ocurre por ejemplo, enamorarte, aquí me tienes, siempre dispuesto.
If you need more than just being content, if you happen to fall in love, you have me, always ready.
A ver el mundo como tú ni lo imaginas, y si me quieres ver feliz y no te avivas, cierra los ojos al aroma de una rosa, mientras mi alma te cuenta cosas.
To see the world as you could never imagine, and if you want to see me happy and don't know how, close your eyes to the aroma of a rose while my soul tells you things.
Cosas que nunca te dijeron hasta ahora, si eres consciente de la gente que te adora, de ser un poco la razón de esta canción.
Things that I have never told you until now, if you are aware of the people who adore you, you are the reason for this song.
Y si resulta, que no resulta mi sistema de quererte, cuenta conmigo nada más que para verte.
And if, for some reason, I fail to love you the way I intend to, count on me just to see you.
Y si tuvieras que dejarme, no te ocupes, yo me podría acomodar sin molestarte, en un rincón donde pudieras acordarte, que cuando el tiempo haya pasado, y tengas ganas, esas ganas, me encontrarás.
And if you ever had to leave me, don't worry, I can find a way to live without disturbing you. I'll be in a corner where you could remember that when time has passed, and you miss me, you'll find me.
Writer(s): Cesar Portillo De La Luz
Contributed by Kayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Pilarcatolica
Amo, amo, amo , amo, amo esta versión.... La primera vez que la escueché fue en 1998 cuando mamá estaba en sus últimos días de un cancer agresivo, pero por las noches, abriamos las ventanas y apagabamos las luces y en familia escuchabamos la musica de Luis Salinas. Era lo unico que la ayudaba a dormir. Y aunque me duela el recuerdo, son los mejores recuerdos de mi vida....
@juliocanuto6270
Dios...con todo lo chulo que soy..me vengo abajo escuchando esta maravilla...Gracias Luis..
@mariafernandapalacios7838
Gracias papá por mostrarme la belleza de la música y por enseñarme el virtuosismo de este gran músico argentino. Hoy no estás y nos quedó pendiente ver a Salinas en vivo juntos, pero lo seguiremos escuchando porque nuestras almas se unen cuando disfrutamos de este arte. Hoy se cumplen tres años de tu partida y acá estamos, juntos.
@hectorcristobalparodiramir2545
De nada hijita preciosa
@quinogallardogomez4164
Lo veo mil veces....es una joya eterna.....menos es más.
@ruckailo88
felicidades luis salinas, habemos un grupo de musicos que nos estremecemos al oir estas versiones,sobre todo" cuenta conmigo" ,que cancion !!!! jesus-mexico df
@jorgesaez1
no hay bella melodia en que no surgas tú..... que bolero mas hermoso y que versión de este gran músico emociona escucharte maestro
@ykroc
dios mio.. que manera de cantar.. mejor dicho que manera de decir las cosas.. la dulzura que tiene este genio para interpretar las canciones no se encuentra en todos lados.. sos un grande luis salinas..
@22sspb
la belleza existe en el estado más puro al ecuchar esta interpretación. Es hermoso.
@susanasalado2902
Jamás escuche tanto sentimiento como este portento de la musica😊❤