Cachao – From Havana To New York

Compilation of recordings from 1957 and 1961

Released 2004
Caney
ASIN B000027WFH

Available at Amazon, Descarga (check their review), etc

Recorded in Havana, 1957 (tracks 1-12)

Israel Lopez “Cachao” / Bass
Guillermo Barretto / Timbales
Tata Guines / Conga
Rogelio “Yeya” Iglesias / Bongso
Gustavo Tamayo / Guiro
with
Alejandro “El Negro” Vivar / Trumpet (2,4,6,9,10)
Generoso “Tojo” Jimenez / Trombone (7,9)
Orestes Lopez / Piano (3,7,8,9,10)
Emilio Penalver / Tenor Sax (1)
Virgilio Lisama / Baritone Sax (1)
Richard Egues / Flute (11)
Nino Rivera / Tres-Guitar (12)

1. Guajeo De Saxos 2:19 (E. Penalver)
2. Estudio En Trompeta 2:17 (I. Lopez)
3. Cogele El Golpe 2:39 (A. Castillo)
4. Goza Mi Trompeta 2:55 (O. Estivill)
5. Descarga Cubana 3:01 (O. Estivill)
6. A Gozar Timbero 2:57 (O. Estivill)
7. Trombon Criollo 3:06 (O. Portillo)
8. Malanga Amarilla 3:17 (S. Contreras)
9. Controversia De Metalles 3:11 (I. Lopez)
10. Pamparana 2:34 (A. Leon)
11. Sorpresa De Flauta 2:51 (O. Estivill)
12. Oye Mi Tres Montuno 2:39 (A. Echevarria)

Recorded in New York, 1961 (tracks 13-20)

Israel Lopez “Cachao” / Bass
Marcelino Valdes / Timbales
Antonio “Chocolate” Diaz Mena / Conga
Jose Mangual / Bongos
with
Clark Terry, Jimmy Nottingham / Trumpet
Frank Anderson / Piano
Herbie Lovelle / Drums
Jerome Richardson / Flute, Piccolo, Tenor and Baritone Sax
Los Gatos / Vocals

13. Pa-Pa Bajo 2:24 (I. Lopez)
14. Escucha, Dos Trompetas 2:49 (J. Cain)
15. Mungo, Mungo, Baby 3:13 (V. Valdes)
16. Que Paso 2:50 (V. Valdes, R. Hernandez)
17. Chunga, Uhuruh, Chunga 2:10 (J. Cain)
18. A Bailar Guajira 2:29 (V. Valdes, R. Hernandez)
19. Tanga, Pa Katanga 2:16 (R. Santos)
20. Caballos Locos 2:06 (F. Rodriguez)

Two songs (Trombon Criollo, Malanga Amarilla) made salsanewyork.com honor list. This album is a classic.

Tracks 1-12 make up at least two other Cachao CDs called "Descargas: Cuban Jam Session" and "Descargas" (Sonodisc - ASIN:B00004R8RJ) and "Descargas: Cuban Jam Sessions in Miniature" (Vampi Soul - ASIN B0001CNPQS). I would venture to guess that this CD "Havana to New York" with extra 8 tracks is a better deal. Many other Cachao CDs have selections from tracks 1-12 included in them.

Grupo Latin Vibe – All That Vibe

Released 2005

Produced by Tommy Mattioli and Anibal Tito Rivera

Available at cdbaby.com (clips)
Also check group web site



1. Pa’ Los Bravos 5:14 (Felix Castrillon)
2. Si Tu Bailas 5:23 (T. Mattioli)
3. Rico Cha Cha Cha 5:27 (A. T. Rivera)
4. Ritmo Pa’ Borinquen 5:47 (A. T. Rivera)
5. La Llave 6:07 (A. T. Rivera)
6. No Te Vayas Ramon 4:32 (A. T. Rivera)
7. Llego El Rumbero 4:30 (A. T. Rivera)
8. Can’t Get Enough 5:20 (T. Mattioli)
9. Conquistador Tu Corazon 6:01 (A. T. Rivera)
10. Aprieta El Bongo 5:02 (A. T. Rivera)
11. La Fiesta Ya Comenso 4:30 (A. T. Rivera)
12. All That Vibe 4:20 (A. T. Rivera)

Not sure if there's much to say - get ready for heavy dose of vibraphone. Go to cdbaby.com to hear generous 2 min clips for all songs. Like many CDs offered by cdbaby.com, this CD was released without any help from a record company. The best known song is La Llave. Different people like different songs. Other favorites include Ritmo Pa Borinquen, Si Tu Bailas, Pa' Los Bravos, La Fiesta Ya Comenso.

[added Oct 11, 2007: La Llave recently made salsanewyork.com list. Well deserved.]

Musicians
Anibal “Tito” Rivera / Lead Vocals, Conga
Tommy Mattioli / Vibraphone, Chorus, Strings
Carlos “Traba” Velazquez / Bass
Awilda Santiago / Chorus, Hand Percussion
William Paul / Piano, Chorus
Giancardo “Panama” Anderson / Bongos, Bell
Victor Rendon / Timbales, Bata

with guests
Willie Rivera Serrano / Guiro
Manny Mieles / Chorus, Maracas
Heriberto Rodriguez / Bongos

Angel Canales - Sabor

Released 1975 Alegre

Produced by Joe Cain
Arrangements by Edy Martinez except track (1) by Luis Cruz

Remastered 2007
Fania / E-Musica
ASIN B000P6R7PK

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc.

1. Sabor Los Rumberos Nuevos 4:18 (Angel Canales)
2. Sol De Mi Vida 6:26 (Angel Canales / Juan Torres)
3. La Hiedra 4:54 (R. Sarachi / D'aquisto)
4. Perico Macona 3:27 (Angel Canales)
5. Hace Tiempo 4:40 (Victor Cordero)
6. Lejos De Ti 4:13 (Angel Canales)
7. No Te Acostumbre 3:18 (Doris Aghian)
8. El Cantante Y La Orquesta 3:41 (Antonio Tapia)

This is second album by Angel Canales - Canales made his recording debut as the vocalist for Mark Dimond's album Brujeria in 1971. There's somewhat convoluted story here. Mark Dimond's band for Brujeria was called Conjunto Sabor. Because of his drug addiction, Dimond wasn't able to maintain his band together. Four years later essentially the same band with Angel Canales in the lead released this album - Sabor con Angel Canales. This album was a big hit for Canales whereas Dimond retreated into obscurity and disappearing in the 1980s. Upon success of this album, Mark Dimond's album Brujeria was re-released as an Angel Canales album re-titled Mas Sabor - Mas Sabor sounds very different compared to Sabor.

Three songs (Perico Macona, Lejos De Ti, El Cantante Y La Orquesta) made salsanewyork.com honor list. Usually I can't stand listening to Bolero, but I rather enjoy the ones here because of high theatricality of his amusing vocals.

[added Oct 11, 2007 - Hace Tiempo also made salsanewyork.com list recently to my delight.]

Musicians

Juan Torres / Musical Director, Trombone
Ricardo Montanez / Trombone
Tom Malone / Trumpet
Emerito Benitez / Baritone Sax, Flute
Jose Madrid / Piano
Eddie Testo / Bass
Antonio Tapia / Conga
Gadier Quinones / Timbales
Aldemaro Luis Rivera / Bongos

Machito - Relax and Mambo

Compilation of recordings from 1942 to 1953

Released 2007
Living Era
ASIN B000M344ZM

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Relax and Mambo 3:06 (Machito, Mario Bauza, Rene Hernandez)
2. Sopa De Pichon 3:08 (Machito)
3. Tingo Talango 3:13 (Julio Cuevas)
4. La Paella 3:09 (Machito)
5. No Noise 5:50 (John Bartee)
6. Mango Mangue 2:51 (Gilberto Valdes, Marion Sunshine)
7. Okiedoke 3:13 (Machito, arr. Rene Hernandez)
8. Tanga 6:57 (Mario Bauza)
9. Mambo, Mucho Mambo 3:00 (Blanco Suazo)
10. Si Si, No No 3:10 (Blanco Suazo)
11. Jungle Dreams 2:59 (Ernesto Lecuona)
12. Asia Minor 3:08 (Roger King Mozian)
13. Un Poquito De Tu Amor (Julio Gutierrez)
14. Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite I. Cancion 2:55 (Chico O'Farrill)
15. Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite II. Mambo 5:54
16. Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite III. 6/8 2:11
17. Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite IV. Jazz 3:39
18. Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite V. Rhumba Abierta 2:33
19. Mamboscope 2:22 (Lennie Hambro)
20. Consternacion 2:41 (George Shearing)
21. Feeding the Chickens 2:41 (Rene Hernandez)
22. Mambo Sentimental 3:00 (D'Juri, Yatasto)

This compilation gives excellent overview of Machito and His Afro-Cubans from 1942 to 1953. The major works here include Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite (with guest Charlie Parker) and the signature Afro-Cubans piece, Tanga. One song (Mambo Sentimental) made salsanewyork.com honor list as Salsa/Mambo and another (Relax and Mambo) made salsanewyork.com honor list as Cha Cha.

Musicians include

Mario Bauza, Bobby Woodlen, Paquito Davilla (5-22), Sweets Edison (14-18), Al Stewart (14-18), Eddie Medina (19-22) / Trumpet
Freddy Zito (19-22), Eddie Bert (19-22), Vern Friley (19-22) / Trombone
Johny Nieto (2-4), Gene Johnson (5-22), Fred Skerrit (5-22), Charlie Parker (solo 5-7, 14-18), Lennie Hambro (19-22) / Alto Saxophone
Pin Madera (2-4), Jose Madera (5-22), Flip Phillips (solo 5, solo 8, 14-18)/ Tenor Saxophone
Frank Gilberto Ayala (2-4), Rene Hernandez (5-22) / Piano
Julio Andino (2-4), Bobby Rodriguez (5-22) / Bass
Luis Miranda (2-13), Rafael Miranda (14-22), Chino Pozo (14-18) / Conga
Tony Escollies (2-4), Ubaldo Nieto (5-22) / Timbales
Bilingue (2-4), Jose Mangual (5-22) / Bongos
Leslie Johnakins / Baritone saxophone
Sol Rubin (14-18) / Tenor saxophone, Baritone saxophone
Chico O'Farrill / Conductor (14-18)
Graciela Grillo Perez / Lead vocals (10, 13, 22), Claves (11-13)
Frank Raul "Machito" Grillo / Lead vocals, Maracas, Director

Personnel and recoding date for track 1 is unknown.

Mon Rivera - Que Gente Averigua

Released 1962
Alegre LPA 823

Produced by Al Santiago

Remastered 2007
Fania / E-Musica
ASIN B000NJL0DO

Available at Amazon, Descarga, etc

1. Monina 2:47 [Guaguanco]
2. Que Gente Averigua 2:56 [Plechanga]
3. Pachanga Con Guaguanco 2:48 [Pachanga]
4. Plebochanga 2:26 [Plebochanga]
5. La Cuca 2:34 [Mambo]
6. Como Esta Pita 2:35 [Mambo]
7. La Plechanga De Trabalengua 2:51 [Plechanga]
8. Lluvia Con Nieve 2:56 [Mambo)
9. Una Plena 2:45 [Plena]
10. En Casa De Pepe 2:52 [Mambo]

All songs composed and arranged by Efrain "Mon" Rivera Castillo. Lluvia Con Nieve is a classic mambo-jazz hybrid and made salsanewyork.com honor list.

This album was also re-released under the title, "Mon Y Sus Trombones." In the original LP, no musicians were listed - partial lineup given here was listed by the producer Al Santiago (also the founder of Alegre Records) almost 30 years after the recording was made in 1991. Eddie Palmieri is supposed to have played piano in two tracks including Lluvia Con Nieve. Musician list in any case is incomplete - the obvious omission being the vanilla session conga player.

Musicians include

Charlie Palmieri / Piano
Eddie Palmieri / Piano
Barry Rogers / Trombone
Mark Weinstein / Trombone
Manolin Pazo / Trombone
Kako / Timbales
Leo Fleming / Bass
Mon Rivera / Vocals, Guiro

Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound 6

Released 1974 International

Fania / E-Musica
ASIN B000NJL0E8

Produced by Roberto Roena

Available through Amazon, Descarga, etc.

Arrangements by Julio Merced (1), Luis Ortiz (2,4), Jorge Millet (3,5,9), Bobby Valentin (6,7), Elias Lopes (8)

1. El Que Se Fue 6:18 (Tito Rodriguez)
2. Traicion 6:20 (Manolo Palos)
3. Cucarachita Cucarachon 5:33 (C. Chinea)
4. Parece Mentira 5:14 (Pedro Flores)
5. En Mis Rosario 4:20 (Jorge Millet/Angelica Lopez)
6. Que Se Sepa 4:19 (D.R.)
7. Ese Soy Yo 4:30 (D.R.)
8. Es Que Estas Enamorada 3:17 (D.R.)
9. Herencia Rumbera 5:58 (Jorge Millet/Angelica Lopez)

Many claim this as the best Roberto Roena album - it certainly is the best one I have heard thus far from start to finish. Traicion is the big hit but not the only one. My other favorites include El Que Se Fue and Que Se Sepa. Que Se Sepa by the way is a bit too fast for dancing so I was surprised when I first heard a song very much like it when out dancing and having a great time with it. When I asked the DJ about it, the song played was actually Siguelo by Javier Vazquez (apparently Siguelo is the original version and this seemingly is corroborated by others but there seems to be a dispute with authorship of the song according to the liner notes). El Que Se Fue would seem eminently danceable (and there are other versions of this song which also seem nice), but I haven't had the opportunity yet.

Musicians

Roberto Roena / Bongo, Leader
Mario Alvarez / Trumpet
Dario Moralez / Trumpet
Miguel Rodriguez / Tenor Sax, Flute
Julio Merced Jr. / Trombone
Mario Roman / Piano
Jappy Castro / Bass
Papo Clemente / Conga
Endel Dueno / Timbales
Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez / Maracas
Elliot Randall / Guitar (6,7)
Harry Viggiano / Tres (3), Guitar (8,9)
Sammy Gonzalez, Tito Cruz, Frankie Calderon / Vocals
Adalberto Santiago, Paquito Guzman, Mario Alaverz / Chorus

Gilberto Santa Rosa - A Dos Tiempos De Un Tiempo

Released 1992

Sony
CDZ-80895
ASIN B000002DM6

Available through Amazon (clips), Descarga, etc.

1. Mama Guela (Tito Rodriguez)
2. En La Obscuridad (Rafael Solano)
3. El Que Se Fue (Tito Rodriguez)
4. Mio (Mandy & Mike Rivas)
5. Baranga (Justi Barretto)
6. Nuestro Balance (Chico Navarro)
7. Que Sera (Pepe Delgado)
8. Buscando La Melodia (M. Guerra/J. Blanco Leonard)
9. Monologo (Chico Novarro)
10. Hoy Te Canto (Angel Pena)
11. Tiemblas (Tite Curet Alonso)
12. Cuando Cuando (Renis/Boone/Rodriguez)
13. En La Soledad (Puchi Balseiro)
14. Abarriba Cumbiaremos (Osvaldo Buffarti)

This album was dedicated to Tito Rodriguez and features many of his most famous hits. Two songs (Mama Guela, El Que Se Fue) in this CD made salsanewyork.com honor list. Half of the songs are bolero, and one of them (En La Soledad) features a simulated duet with Tito Rodriguez a la Natalie King Cole.

Musicians

Louis Garcia / Musical Director
Victor Paz, Elias Lopes, Arturo Sandoval (4), Eddie Feijoo, Juancito Torres / Trumpet
Oscar Pastrana, Antonio Vazquez, Moises Noguera, Rafy Torres / Trombone
Lito Pena (10,13), Freddie Miranda, Jose Raul Rios, Jose Luis Encarnacion, Angel Torres / Saxophone
Papo Lucca / Piano
Efrain Hernandez / Bass
Jimmie Morales / Conga, Bongo
Tito Echevarria / Bongo
David Rosado / Timbales
Gino Ramirez, Jerry Rivas, Domingo Quinones, Tempo Alomar, Charlie Donato, Gilberto Santa Rosa / Chorus
and others