Johnny Pacheco – Early Rhythms

alt. title: Mi Musica Es Para Ti

Recorded 1960
LP Released 1981 Coco
CD Reissued 2000 and 2002

Available at Amazon and others

Produced by Rene Hernandez

1. Nicolasa (Ernesto Brito Duarte) 3:22
2. El Bodeguero (Egues) 2:51
3. Cero Codazos (Rafael Lay) 2:29
4. Patricia (Damaso Perez Prado) 2:31
5. Mambo Inn (Mario Bauza) 2:33
6. Cha Cha Rene (R. Hernandez, Frey) 2:30
7. Clap Your Hands Cha Cha (R. Hernandez, Frey) 2:35
8. Cha Cha Castanetas (?) 3:01
9. Oyeme Mama (Rivero) 2:53
10. Mi Musica Es Para Ti (Rene Touzet) 3:00
11. Sambia (Rafael Hernandez) 2:56
12. Corazon De Melon (Riguel) 2:51

The songs in this album was recorded in 1960 but apparently were not released until 1981. The material in this album is very different from Charanga of 1960s Pacheco or Salsa of later Pacheco. The sound instead is closer to a less frenetic Damaso Perez Prado or Machito and His Afro-Cubans. Most songs are Cha Cha (at least in tempo) except Mambo Inn and Sambia – I think this may very well be the most danceable version of Sambia I have heard thus far.

Musicians

Johnny Pacheco / Percussion, Flute

and members of the Machito Orchestra including
Rene Hernandez / Piano