Radio Bohemia Volumen I

Radio Bohemia Volumen I is a posthumous tribute to the songwriting legacy of Sylvia Rexach and Tutti Umpierre, two iconic figures of Puerto Rico’s música bohemia scene in the 1940s and 50s. Rexach, a pioneering female composer and poet, was known for her emotionally rich lyrics and fearless vulnerability. Umpierre, her close collaborator, was a skilled guitarist, composer, and arranger who shaped the unique musical setting for many of her works. Umpierre has often not received public recognition for his songwriting on the Sylvia Rexach catalog.

This album honors the deep musical and personal connection between Sylvia and Tutti by remaining entirely faithful to the sound and aesthetic of their original radio-era collaborations. Rather than focusing on their most popular compositions, Radio Bohemia Volumen I brings to life lesser-known works, many of which were never recorded by Sylvia herself, preserving their beauty exactly as they might have been heard in an intimate, mid-century performance.

The album was recorded live around a single microphone, capturing the organic feel of 1950s bohemia broadcasts. Vocals by Puerto Rican vocalist Maritzaida are accompanied by guitarist and producer AJ Weibe, who also arranged the music with deep respect for Umpierre’s original bohemia style. Sharon Riley Rexach, daughter of Sylvia Rexach, served as the album’s musical advisor and joins for a moving performance of Dios de Oro, her mother’s final composition. Radio-style interludes narrated by Robi Arce Martínez create a narrative thread that guides listeners through the experience, evoking the atmosphere of Sylvia’s time.

This nomination recognizes Sylvia Rexach and Tutti Umpierre, many decades after their passing, for their profound contributions to Puerto Rican music.