Azabache

Released 2000

Leopard Music 001

Produced by Rafael "Ray" Martinez

Available at Descarga


1. Cinco A Diez 5:57 (J. M. Martinez)
2. This Moment 5:54 (J. M. Martinez)
3. Luna Cha-Cha 4:01 (C. Chooljian)
4. Simplemente Complicada 5:51 (R. Martinez)
5. Surrender 5:19 (J. Holiday)
6. Montuno Street 5:05 (R. Martinez)
7. Batman And Spiderman 7:05 (J. M. Martinez)
8. Besitos De Coco 6:53 (J. M. Martinez)
9. Thanks For The Mambo 3:20 (C. Chooljian)

Arrangements by P. Lyons (1,2,4), C. Chooljian (3,9), J. Holiday (5), J. Melendez (6), Azabache (7), J. Alford and P. Lyons (8).

Among other things, this album is notable for a brand new Salsa band releasing their material without a backing of established recording company behind it. This practice is now quite common but not back in 2000, and one can say that this album left quite an impact and a lasting impression. As far as I can tell, this is the only album ever released by this band (from the San Francisco Bay area led by the two Martinez brothers) or the record label.

Four songs made salsanewyork.com list - Cinco A Diez, This Moment, Montuno Street and Besitos De Coco.

Musicians:

Rafael "Ray" Martinez / Conga, Bongos, Timbales, Bells, Chorus
Jose "Manny" Martinez / Lead Vocals, Chorus
Cherie "Leopard" Chooljian / Keyboards, Lead Vocals on "Surrender"
Joe Holiday / Bass, Keyboard solo on "Surrender"
Abel Figueroa / Trombones
Roberto Quintana / Timbales on "Luna Cha-Cha", Bongos on "Surrender"
Roman "Ito" Carillo / Bongo solo on "Montuno Street", Guiro and Pandera on "Batman and Spiderman"