Actually, I think it's peak was in mid 90's. This is when it was seriously degenerated by many such as Wilfrido Vargas and the many "Toca Latas" that produced catchy beats but porous lyrics. The introduction of bachata also helped to accelerate this decline.

Merengue today has much competition. I Think for Merengue to be reborn it must be revived by some major event or Celebrities. And there has to be continuous re-inventing of themes. Hopefully Dominican Muscicians have learned a lesson with the many errors committed in the 90's. I think they need to return to some Old school themes with a slight modern touch. In addition merengue needs to be marketed and promoted in all things Dominican.

Another problem is that there is only one universal artist that can really exemplify and sell Dominicanismo and merengue effectively, Juan Luis Guerra. Someone else needs to step up to the plate.

correct me if i am wrong, but one of the driving engines in the continuity of musical idioms is the youth acceptance. they generally make music production viable, because they buy more discs, this is why Jazz does not sell very well, comparatively, because it is a more adult form of expression. reggaeton has numerous exponents in the new york area, where there is exposure to many other styles to incorporate. since it is derived from reggae, it benefits greatly from the huge jamaican population in the area, who contribute innovative ideas. it too is becoming monotonous and repetitive, but its lascivious nature appeals to the hormones of youth, hence its popularity. it is the death knell for merengue on a large scale.

"...but its lascivious nature appeals to the hormones of youth, hence its popularity. it is the death knell for merengue on a large scale."

I wouldn't say that just yet. Though the genre is loosing popularity among other latinos it's still a very viable genre within the republic itself and wherever you'll find a concentration of Dominicans. Right now the youth listens to what's referred to as Merengue Tipico whereby the big orchestras of the last few decades have been replaced with more traditional instruments, such as the accordian, and where the tempo is faster then merengues from yesteryear. That fool Krispy and Geovanni Polanco are popular exponents of this type of merengue and they are very popular indeed.

I am not anytype of Merengue purist, I have nothing against Mambo/Street merengue. I love a couple of the songs from that sub-genre. It's just that style will likely remain in the clubs/streets & at a very local area.
The other Merengue sub-genre needs more artist (like Juan Luis Guerra) to capture a more international crowd and take it to the stage at the Latin Grammys.

USADR, a very insightful commentary on the wannabe rockers from latin america. just how many copies of Mana can one world stand? hell, the Police had their day, and are now a part of music history. Mana came along and copied them to the letter, and now guys are copying Mana. enough already. and i think that what is happening to music today is in part to be blamed on the economics of production. anybody ever stop to wonder what it would cost to have a band like Fania touring heavily, and recording? hell, producers can use sampling machines and drum machines, and all kinds of electronic techology to produce the bilge we hear today. guys are recording orchestra sized music in their basement. the stuff is crap, but it sells, because the public does not know better. in the days when a band such as Rufus, fronted by the badass Chaka Khan, was still functioning, do you think mediocrities such as Jennifer Lopez would get airplay? do you think you will ever live to see a band like Earth Wind And Fire again, except at some hokey television " reunion concert"? it is all economics, and the driving engines in the music business have dumbed down the tastes of the popular culture. just like merengue, when people were running out to buy a song whose principal lyrics were " la vaca, la vaca, la misma vaca".

"USADR, a very insightful commentary on the wannabe rockers from latin america. just how many copies of Mana can one world stand? hell, the Police had their day, and are now a part of music history. Mana came along and copied them to the letter"

Thank you dread! When Mana first came out I remember I was at some girl's house that I used to date and she put on some Mana and told me "that's music which you know nothing about". I listened attentively for a few seconds and I commented to her "It sounds alright but I liked it better when I heard them the first time. Except they sang in english and were called the Police". She had a heart attack and defended Mana tooth and nail. As a lifelong Police fan (I recently attended their concert in the Garden a few months ago) I could never dig Mana. Mana is a cheap third world knock-off of the Police and that's that.

cibaeno, the Police used to have this little thing they did occasionally, when Sting would sing ee-yo-yo, ee yo yo , etc. i am sure you know what i am talking about, if you are a Police fan. Sting borrowed that from Bob Marley, who had no disagreement with it. then Mana comes along and makes it a standard part of their fare. second generation rip offs. by the way, do you know the riff i am trying to describe?

"by the way, do you know the riff i am trying to describe?"

Of course dread. "Every Little Thing She Does" features that riff. If you want to hear the quintessential Police sound that Mana stole whole heartedly just listen to some older Police, particularly the album Outlandos d'Amour. The song "So Lonely" was obviously Mana's blueprint. Have a listen:

from the first day i heard these guys Mana, i wondered if they had no shame. that outlandos album was in a juke box, and i played a few tracks in order to suspend disbelief. they make no bones about copying the police, line, chapter and verse. and about the riff: i was not questioning your knowledge of the music, but my ability to convey the riff in words.

Hey cibaeño, which contemporary merengueros do you think are good and not getting the airplay that they should? Just curious