Johnny Colon – Boogaloo Bluesman

Originals recorded 1967 – 1972
Cotique Records

Compilation Released 2004
Vampi Soul Records

CD out of print. Best bet might be Amazon.

1. Boogaloo Blues 6:53
2. Mira Ven Aca 5:54
3. Descarga 6:44
4. You Gotta Love Me 6:15
5. Mayenelle 5:23
6. Oyelo 5:00
7. The Line Dance 5:05
8. What You Mean 3:41
9. Sunny 5:01
10. Cosa Pa’ Ti 2:56
11. New York Mambo 2:32
12. Ya-Ki-Ki 3:21
13. Afincao 2:50
14. Merecumbe 6:17

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (9) by B. Hebb.

Produced by George Goldner except (14) by Larry Harlow.

The listed song length for several songs were erroneously printed and is corrected here.

LP version of the album is still in print and could be obtained from places like Tunes.co.uk and Munster-records.com. The LP version is without Oyelo and Ya-Ki-Ki. Otherwise, it's a potentially long wait as Fania/E-Musica slow goes through remastering their large back catalog. The only other song I have from Johnny Colon is Dejame En Paz obtained in a different compilation CD.

This album has selections from five of six Johnny Colon albums from the 60s and 70s. I have given original album info with song titles only at the bottom of this post. His first three albums are Boogaloo albums at the height of Johnny Colon's popularity (and same for Boogaloo). The last three albums are post-Boogaloo Salsa albums. All are out of print, but his first album Boogaloo Blues is scheduled to be re-issued (with new re-mastering) by Fania/E-Musica on June 3, 2008.

The best known song for Salsa dancers is Merecumbe, which made salsanewyork.com list. The best-selling song when originally released was Boogaloo Blues. Mira Ven Aca made salsanewyork.com list as Cha Cha.

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Johnny Colon Discography

Boogaloo Blues (1966)
1. Boogaloo Blues
2. Jumpy
3. Mira Ven Aca
4. Descarga
5. Guantanamera
6. Mi Querida Bomba
7. Judy, Pt. 2
8. Canallon

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (2) by Miguel Hernandez, (5) arranged by Johnny Colon and (8) by Felix A. Ferrer.

Johnny Colon / Piano, Trombone, Chorus
Robert Lemus / Trombone
Angelo Rodriguez / Trombone
Walter Oyola / Bass
Joe Venero / Conga
Herman Martinez / Timbales
Luis Mangual / Bongos
Freddy Rivera / Guiro
Milton Cardona, Tony Rojas, Fraternity / Chorus
Rafael “Tito” Ramos / Lead Vocals

Boogaloo '67 (1967)
1. You Gotta Love Me
2. Mayenelle
3. Oyelo
4. Miedo Me Das
5. Line Dance
6. New Cha
7. Echala Pa'Ca
8. Mezclado

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (8) no credit.

Johnny Colon / Piano, Trombone, Lead Vocals
Robert Lemus / Trombone
Angelo Rodriguez / Trombone
Mike Amitin / Bass
Milton Cardona / Conga
Ray Cruz / Timbales
Tony Rojas / Chorus
Rafael “Tito” Ramos / Lead Vocals

Move Over (1968)
1. What You Mean
2. Si Te Fuiste Y Que
3. Sunny
4. Retorno Del Mambo
5. Stand By Me
6. Mensaje
7. Night Is Quiet
8. Consejo

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (3) no credit and (5) by J. Lieber & M. Stoller.

Portrait of Johnny (1971)
1. Cosa Pa Ti
2. Son Montuno
3. Panadero
4. Ya-Yi-Ki
5. New York Mambo
6. Guajira Y Tambor
7. Retorno Del Mambo
8. Afincao

Hot! Hot! Hot!: Caliente De Vicio (1972)
1. Merecumbe
2. No Hace Falta Papel
3. Fantasia
4. Bolitero
5. Dejame en Paz
6. Misty
7. Callo
8. Mala Mujer

All songs written by Johnny Colon except (4) by S. Calderon & J. Colon and (6) by E. Garner.

Johnny Colon / Piano, Lead Vocals, Chorus
Steven Calderon / Trombone
Domingo Pagan Jr / Trombone
Harry DeAguilar / Trombone
Carlos Pino / Conga
Louie Bauzo / Bongos
Carmelo Maldonado / Timbales
Luis Ocasio / Maracas
Ronald Van Cooten / Bass

Tierra Va A Temblar (1975)
1. Cuero Estirao
2. El Mensaje
3. Retorno Del Mambo
4. Echala Pa' Ca
5. Entre Compai Y Comai
6. Son Montuno
7. Si Te Fuiste Y Que
8. Looking In Your Eyes

Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound 5

Released 1973
International Records

Re-mastered 2006
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Roberto Roena

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Cui Cui 4:47 (Calixto Ochoa)
2. Oriza Eh 3:44 (Junior Cepeda)
3. Como Tu No Hay Nadie 3:38 (D.R.)
4. Que Se Sepa 3:16 (D.R.)
5. Asuncion 3:51 (D.R.)
6. Avisale A Mi Contrario 3:42 (D.R.)
7. Aquellos Que Dicen 6:02 (C. Curet Alonso)
8. La Marunga 5:16 (D.R.)
9. Solo Contigo Basta 3:52 (D.R.)
10. Ponte Duro 9:32 (Johnny Pacheco)

Arrangements by Jorge Millet except (6) by Mario Ortiz and (9) by Elias Lopes.

I have no idea why the liner notes says authorship of Avisale A Mi Contrario is disputed when it is merely the most famous rivalry tunes written by Tito Rodriguez. The arrangement is quite different from original, but it’s very good in a different way compared to the original and made salsanewyork.com list. Que Se Sepa in this album is a completely different song from Que Se Sepa in Apollo Sound 6.

Musicians:

Dario Morales / Trumpet
Mario Cora / Trumpet
Miguel Rodriguez / Tenor Sax & Flute
Gunda Merced / Trombone
Jorge Millet / Piano
Jappy Castro / Bass
Papo Clemente / Conga
Julito Morales / Timbales
Tito Cruz / Vocals
Sammy Gonzalez / Vocals
Frankie Calderon / Vocals
Roberto Roena / Leader, Bongos

Mark Dimond – Brujeria

Mark Dimond – Brujeria

Released 1971
Vaya Records

Remastered 2006 Limited Release
Fania / E-Musica

Produced by Larry Harlow & Johnny Pacheco

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Brujeria 4:51
2. Mi Irmata 5:23
3. Aguardiente 5:38
4. Tiene Sabor 5:22
5. Mariquita 7:18
6. Ya No Tengo Pena 6:10
7. El Barrio 5:48

All songs written and arranged by Markolino Dimond.

This album – also released later under Angel Canales name as Mas Sabor upon the success of Angel Canales debut album Sabor – is all about Mark Dimond; the style of the music is distinct from other albums released under Angel Canales name.

All but two of the songs are slow paced – Cha Cha or Rumba speed. Ya No Tengo Pena in my opinion is the most striking of the slow songs – probably more suitable for Rumba rather than Cha Cha. Of two faster paced songs Brujeria and Aguardiente, Brujeria made salsanewyork.com list.

Approximately 5000 CDs were produced for the limited re-release.

Musicians:

Mark “Markolino” Dimond / Piano, Leader
Richie Montanez / Trombone
Fudgy Torres / Trombone
Danny Reyes / Trumpet
Louie Rivera / Bongos
Antonio Tapas / Conga
Eddie “Gua Gua” Rivera / Bass
Andy Gonzalez / Bass
Ismael Quintana, Justo Betancourt / Chorus
Angel Canales / Lead Vocals

Cachao – Master Sessions Volume 1

Released 1994

CineSon

Produced by Andy Garcia

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc


1. Al Fin Te Vi 1:18 [danza]
2. Isora Club 6:38 [danzon]
3. Mambo 3:31 [mambo]
4. El Son No Ha Muerto 7:04 [son]
5. Lindo Yambu 8:33 [rumba]
6. Mi Guajira 9:24 [guajira]
7. Lluvia, Viento Y Cana 7:21 [descarga]
8. Club Social de Mariano 7:29 [danzon]
9. A Gozar Con Mi Combo 6:19 [descarga]
10. Cachao’s Guiro 5:49 [guiro]
11. El Alcaide 6:51 [conga]
12. Descarga Cachao 6:22 [descarga]

All songs composed by Israel Lopez “Cachao” except (1) Ernesto Lecuona, (2) Coralia Lopez & Israel Lopez “Cachao”, (3) Orestes Lopez & Israel Lopez “Cachao” and (5) Ignacio Pineiro. All arrangements by Israel Lopez “Cachao”.

To say that Andy Garcia brought together many great musicians to make this recording with Israel Lopez “Cachao”, who was living in obscurity in Miami at that time, would be an understatement. In one week of recording starting only with four arrangements in pre-existence (Isora Club, Mambo, Lindo Yambu, Descarga Cachao), eight songs were written and arranged along with 12 additional songs released later in Master Sessions Volume 2.

Two songs (Mambo, Descarga Cachao) made salsanewyork.com list. A third (A Gozar Mi Combo) is also reasonably danceable in my opinion.

Musicians:

Israel Lopez “Cachao” / Conductor, Bass, Chorus (all)
Francisco Aguabella / Quinto (5), Chequere (10), Conga (11), Chorus (10)
Justo Almario / Tenor Saxophone (5,6,7,9,10,11,12)
Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros / Trumpet (4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12)
Rafael “Felo” Barrio / Guiro (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,12), Maracas (5), Chorus
Jimmy Bosch / Trombone (5,6,7,9,10,11,12)
Paquito D’Rivera / Clarinet (1,4,7,8,9), Alto Saxophone (5,10,12)
Richie Flores / Conga (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,12), Quinto (11)
Lazaro Galarraga / Chequere (10), Bombo (11), Chorus (5,10,11), Lead Vocals (5,10)
Andy Garcia / Jawbone (6,7), Rain Stick (7), Poetry (11), Chorus
Felicidad Gongora / Chorus (5,10,11)
Nelson Gonzalez / Tres (4,5,6,7,9,10,12), Clave (9), Chorus
Humberto “Nenge” Hernandez / Clave (4), Tres Golpes Conga (11), Box Drum (4), Cowbell (5), Bongos (6,7,9,12), Chequere (10), Chorus (10)
Rolando Laserie / Chorus
Juanito Marquez / Acoutic Guitar (4,9), Acoustic Guitar Solo (6), Chorus
Carlos Montiel / Chorus (4,5,6,9,12)
Cecelia Noel / Chorus (5,10,11)
Daniel Palacio / Chorus, Lead Vocals (4)
Nelson Regueira Marquez / Chorus
Richard Regueira Marquez / Maracas (5), Snare Drum (11), Chorus (5,10,11)
Tony Rosa / Conga (5,11), Bass Box Drum (5), Chequere (10), Chorus (10)
Bill Summers / Clave (5), Chorus (5,10,11)
Nestor Torres / Flute (2,3,4,5,8,10,12)
Alfredo Valdes Jr / Piano (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12)
Orestes Vilato / Timbales (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,12)

String section (2,3,8)
Russ Cantor / Concert Master
Murray Adler, Bette Byers, Marilyn Graham, Ezra Kliger, Jorge Moraga Harry Scorzo, Dan Weinstein / Violin
Jan Kelly, David Shamban / Cello
George Hernandez / Contractor, Assistant Conductor

Additional background vocals
Joe Drago, Iris Ibarcena, William Marquez (5,11)

Cachao – Master Sessions Volume 2

Released 1995

CineSon

Produced by Andy Garcia

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc


1. Los Tres Golpes 1:25 [danza]
2. Bema e’ Cuchara 5:51 [descarga]
3. El Progreso 7:29 [danzon]
4. El Gaupachoso 8:36 [son montuno]
5. Descarga A 8:05 [descarga]
6. Cunde Echa Un Pie 3:57 [guaracha]
7. Romantica Mujer 4:19 [bolero son]
8. Sigue A Paquito Si Puedes 7:54 [danzon]
9. El Timbalero Travieso 5:00 [descarga]
Africa Suite
10. Eleggua (Intro) 1:47 [canto Yoruba]
11. Africa Viva 9:12 [danzon]
12. Juana La Coja 7:36 [descarga]
13. Eleggua Con Cachao (Coda) 2:46 [canto yoruba]

All songs written and arranged by Israel Lopez “Cachao” except (1) written by Ignacio Cervantes, (6) written by Israel Lopez “Cachao” and Rafael Ortiz, (7) traditional arranged by Israel Lopez “Cachao” and Juanito Marquez, (10,13) traditional.

The overtone of the album is very similar to the previous Master Sessions Volume 1 except there aren't any obvious dance tracks as is in my opinion.

Musicians:

Israel Lopez “Cachao” / Conductor, Bass, Chorus, Vocals (2), Cowbell (2), Piano (6), Lead Vocals (6)
Francisco Aguabella / Bata Drum (13), Chorus (10,13)
Justo Almario / Tenor Saxophone (2,5,6,7,9,12)
Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros / Trumpet (2,4,6,7,8,9,12), Flugelhorn (5)
Rafael “Felo” Barrio / Bombo (2), Guiro (3,4,5,6,8,9,12,13), Maracas (7), Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,12)
Jimmy Bosch / Trombone (2,5,6,7,9,12)
Paquito D’Rivera / Clarinet (1), Alto Saxophone (2,5,6,7,8,9)
Richie Flores / Conga (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,11,12)
Lazaro Galarraga / Lead Vocals (6,7,10,13)
Andy Garcia / Conga (2), Bongos (11), Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12,13)
Felicidad Gongora / Chorus (10,13)
Nelson Gonzalez / Tres (2,4,5,6,7,9,12), Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,12)
Humberto “Nenge” Hernandez / Bell (2), Clave (5,7), Bata Drum (13), Cowbell (4), Bongos (4,5,6,9,12), Chorus (10,13)
Rolando Laserie / Lead Vocals (4), Chorus (2,3,12)
Juanito Marquez / Acoutic Guitar (4,5,7,9,12), Chorus (3,4,5,6,9,12)
Carlos Montiel / Chorus (2,3,5,6,9,12)
Cecelia Noel / Chorus (10,13)
Daniel Palacio / Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,12)
Nelson Regueira Marquez / Chorus (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12,13)
Richard Regueira Marquez / Clave (4), Chorus (10,13)
Tony Rosa / Achere (13), Chorus (10,13)
Bill Summers / Bata Drum (13), Chorus (10,13)
Nestor Torres / Flute (3,7,8,9,11)
Alfredo Valdes Jr / Piano (2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12)
Orestes Vilato / Timbales (2,3,4,5,6,8,9,11,12), Bongos (7), Chorus (3,8)

String section (3,8 and presumably 11)
Russ Cantor / Concert Master
Murray Adler, Bette Byers, Marilyn Graham, Ezra Kliger, Jorge Moraga Harry Scorzo, Dan Weinstein / Violin
Jan Kelly, David Shamban / Cello
George Hernandez / Contractor, Assistant Conductor

El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico – Nuevo Milenio ~ El Mismo Sabor

Released 2001

Combo Records

Produced by Ralph Cartagena & Derek Cartagena

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. El Amor Es Ciego 4:21 (Rafi Monclova)
2. Se Nos Perdio El Amor 4:51 (Rafi Monclova)
3. Me Libere 4:23 (Julio Castro)
4. Viva Puente 5:18 (Hector Parilla)
5. Amigos 4:48 (Ramon Rodriguez)
6. Dime Que Quieres 4:49 (Antonio Quintero)
7. Me Muero Por Ella 4:40 (Geraldo Flores)
8. Nadie Como Ella 4:36 (Diego Javier Gonzalez)

Arrangements by Tommy Villariny (1,2,3), Rafael Ithier (4,5,6), Ernesto Sanchez (7), Ceferino Pagan (8).

One of the stronger album by the venerable band according to knowledgeable sources like descarga.com. Three songs (Me Libere, Viva Puente, Dime Que Quieres) made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Rafael Ithier / Director & Piano
Jerry Rivas / Lead Vocals
Charlie Aponte / Lead Vocals
Luis A. Rosario / Lead Vocals
Eddie Perez / Saxophone
Wilfredo Cruz Miranda / Saxophone
Luis A. Maldonado / Trumpet
Victor E. Rodriguez / Trumpet
Moises Nogueras / Trombone
Wilfredo Rivera / Bass
Miguel Torres / Conga
Richard Bastar / Bongos & Campana
Domingo Santos / Timbales

Louie's Grooves - Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramirez

Compilation released 2005

Vampi Soul

Songs originally released between 1961 and 1978.

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Yroco 2:50
2. It's Now What You Say 3:00
3. Chin Chon Chow 2:50
4. Luisito's Mozambique 5:09
5. Times Are Changin' 3:10
6. Cooking With A&J 2:28
7. Azucar En Nueva York 4:17
8. Barrio Nuevo 5:59
9. The Oracle 4:54
10. Violent's Guaguanco 2:48
11. I Dig Rhythm 3:59
12. La Flauta 4:27
13. Rush Hour In Hong Kong 6:12
14. Descarga A&J 4:22
15. Don Maceo 2:54
16. Vitamina 6:17
17. Fat Papa's Descarga 4:01
18. Sid's Groove 2:59

Compilation of songs taken from following artists / albums.

Angel Rene & Johnny Rodriguez Orquesta - Cooking With A&J (1968) (tracks 6,10,14)
Charlie Palmieri - Either You Have It Or You Don't (1967) (tracks 4,17)
Jimmy Sabater - Solo (1969) (track 5)
Jimmy Sabater - El Hijo De Teresa (1970) (tracks 1,12)
Kako's New York After Hours Orchestra - Tribute A Noro (1963) (track 16)
Louie Ramirez & His Conjunto Chango - Vibes Galore (1966) (tracks 3,13,15,18)
Louie Ramirez - Ali Baba (1968) (tracks 8,11)
Louie Ramirez & Pete Bonet - The Beautiful People (1970) (track 7)
Louie Ramirez - Different Shades Of Black (1976) (track 8)
Sabu Martinez - Sabu's Jazz Espanole (1961) (track 9)

Louie Ramirez is credited for arrangement (1,12), musician (all songs), composer (all except track 1 (S. Mendez), 2 (B. Marin), 12 (M. Guerra), 16 (N. Morales) - I'm guessing Bobby Marin, Marcelino Guerra, and Noro Morales but not sure about S. Mendez).

Chin Chon Chow made salsanewyork.com list as Cha Cha. Other good songs for Salsa include Violent's Guaguanco and La Flauta.

Eddie Palmieri / Cal Tjader - Bamboleate

Released 1967

Tico Records

Re-issued Vampi Soul 2002

Produced by Pancho Cristal

Available at Amazon, etc

1. Bamboleate 3:25 (E. Palmieri)
2. We've Loved Before 2:30 (H. Mancini)
3. Resemblance 5:02 (E. Palmieri)
4. Mi Montuno 5:25 (A. Rodriguez)
5. Samba Do Suenho 5:00 (Cal Tjader)
6. Guajira Candela 5:42 (E. Palmieri)
7. Pancho's Seis Por Ocho 5:42 (E. Palmieri)
8. Come An' Get It 3:03 (M. Weinstein)

This album has been recently re-mastered by Fania/E-Musica. While Vampi Soul reissue CD has fine sound quality, I suspect the Fania/E-Musica version would be as good if not better.

Pancho's Seis Por Ocho might be my favorite track - it's an Afro-Cuban track. The only song I have ever danced to in this album is Mi Montuno with intro cut off.

Musicians:

Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Cal Tjader / Vibes
Bobby Rodriguez / Bass
Barry Rogers / Trombone
Mark Weinstein / Trombone
Ismael Quintana / Lead Vocals

others incl. probably
Manny Oquendo / Percussion
Kako / Percussion

Jimmy Sabater "Mo" Con Son Boricua

Released 2002

Cobo Records CCD-9053

Produced by Jose Mangual Jr & Jimmy Sabater

Available at Descarga, Prodland, Museo Del Disco, etc

1. Pa' Las Villas 5:16 (Rene Perez)
2. Salchicha Con Huevos 5:43 (J. Sabater)
3. De Enero A Enero 2:51 (Tito Rodriguez)
4. Desconfianza 4:04 (J. Guetirrez, J. Sabater)
5. Cuando, Cuando 4:03 (Renis, Boone)
6. Alafia 4:03 (J. Sabater)
7. Fue En Santiago 5:04 (B. Manrique, J. Sabater)
8. Bailando Con Sabater 5:38 (J. Sabater)
9. El Numero Seis 4:20 (R. Blades)
10. Boozaba Zoo Descarga 5:23 (Cobo Music)

Arrangements by Ricky Gonzalez, Hiram de Jesus, Alfredo Valdes Jr

The sound quality of the album is reminiscent of Jimmy Sabater's days of Joe Cuba Sextet. In fact, Alafia is one of the better known songs by the Joe Cuba Sextet. Salchicha Con Huevos is a remake of the same song from Jimmy Sabater's Solo album from the 1960s - both this version and the 1960s versions by the way made salsanewyork.com list as Cha Cha. A few other songs (Pa' Las Villas, Cuando Cuando for example) in this album are also quite suitable for Salsa dancing.

Musicians:

Ricky Gonzalez / Piano, Strings
Nick Marrero / Timbales
Jimmy Sabater / Timbales, Lead Vocals
Johnny Rodriguez / Bongos
A. J. Mantas / Vibes
Ruben Rivera / Bass
Ray Martinez / Bass
Jose Mangual Jr / Percussion
Walter Reyes / Conga
Jimmy Sabater Jr / Fluge
Jimmy Sabater Jr, Jose Mangual Jr, Ada Chabrier, Ricky Gonzalez / Chorus

El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico – Aqui Estamos y … De Verdad!

Released 2004

Sony Discos

Produced by Rafael Ithier and Freddie Miranda

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Mi Gorda Bonita 5:20 (Ramoncito Rodriguez)
2. El Matrimonio 4:05 (Ramoncito Rodriguez)
3. Amor Perfecto 4:51 (Charlie Donato)
4. Me Dejo En El Aire 5:05 (Jorge Luis Piloto, Marlow Rosado)
5. Pa’ Arriba No Va 5:10 (Jorge Luis Piloto)
6. Para Querer Un Te Quiero 4:33 (Rafy Monclova)
7. Esa Eres Tu 4:40 (Alberto Rodriguez)
8. El Amor Que Te Di 3:08 (Rafy Monclova)
9. Por Siempre 5:04 (Miguel A. Amadeo)
10. Siete Vidas 4:23 (Rafy Monclova)

Arrangements by Rafael Ithier (1,2,4), Tommy Villariny (3,5,6,7,8,9,10)

El Matrimonio and Amor Perfecto made salsanewyork.com list.

Musicians:

Rafael Ithier / Piano
Taty Maldonado / Trumpet
Victor Rodriguez / Trumpet
Freddie Miranda / Saxophone
Eddie Perez / Saxophone
Moises Nogueras / Trombone
Freddy Rivera / Bass
Kuki Santos / Timbales
Miguel Torres / Conga
Richy Bastar / Bongos
Charlie Aponte / Lead Vocals
Jerry Rivas / Lead Vocals
Papo Rosario / Lead Vocals