Roberto Torres

Siempre Sonando (2000)
Long time to post! Sorry, I've been away quite often those days but always listening to good salsa dura. I discovered some very good blogs about salsa and Latin Jazz (see "COOL LINKS!"). Now I would like to share with you another SAR release with Roberto Torres and his boys. As always it's SAR and can be trusted with eyes closed. One of the best Roberto Torres projects in years, this son-guaracha-salsa number has drive, swing, and sabor to spare. Mister Torres' vocal ability seems to strengthen over time, and this release provides the kind of arrangements that wonderfully augment his style. The multi-faceted Jesus "Niño" Alejandro penned most of the cuts here, as well as contributed his talents via the piano, bass, tres, and flute. Please don't pass away and take some time to listen to this, you won't regret it...

Enjoy!



Track listings:
Si No Me Quieres
No Aprietes Tanto
Que Lindo El Punto Cubano
El Tiburon
Desde Oriente Al Occidente
Monte Tiene Garabato
Te Estoy Invitando
Avisale A Mi Guajira

Musicians:
Jesus "Niño" Alejandro Areglos, piano, bajo, tres, flauta, coro, y productor musical
Edwin Bonilla Tumbadora, bongo, timbales, maracas, clave, guiro
Kiko Osorio Coro
Cheo Quinones Coro
Roberto Torres Sonero y coro
Eduardo Sanches Trompeta
Lazaro Leyva Bajo
Wilmo Rivera Bajo

La Candela (y Pepanito) en vivo!

Hey folks, time for me to play the music I love!

If you are around in Paris Saturday April 26th 9PM, please join us at le "Théatre de Verre" 5, Impasse Bonne Nouvelle, Paris 10e.

Composed by 14 musicians (including el famoso Carlos Esposito Kutimba, bascally our boss!) playing salsa music from New York to Puerto Rico passing by el Malecon de la Havana, "La Candela Siempre" is a musical journey through salsa dura and big names like Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Willie Rosario, Ismael Miranda, El Gran Combo, Dimension Latina...Formed in the latin jazz/salsa school "Abanico" in Paris, the flame of "La Candela Siempre" is burning since 4 years for the pleasure of bailadores and salsa lovers!

More info at: http://lacandela.free.fr

See you there!

Tony Pabón

Sal y Pimienta & Capitan
I have had a very kind comment later this week from one of Tony Pabón's daughter on this post and it made me feel like sharing with you a little more of this great artist's discography! Here are 2 albums, Sal y Pimienta (1975) and Capitan (1974) featuring great singers Sandy Ceron and Nestor Sanchez. This is Salsa I love with a lot of energy and fabulous grooves. Do not miss that ;-)

Enjoy!





About Tony Pabón:
Trumpeter, composer, bandleader, singer, TV host & Latin music distributor Tony Pabón born Santurce, Puerto Rico. He is probably the true originator of the Boogaloo sound, writing Pete's Boogaloo for Pete Rodriguez in early 1966 - commonly cited as the first boogaloo track to get radio airplay.

“Popular Latin bands found themselves creating a musical common ground by introducing the trappings of Black American culture into their performances and thus getting the Black audiences involved and onto the dance floor....Latin boogaloo music in general was intended to constitute this meeting place between Puerto Ricans and Blacks and by extension, between Latin music and the music culture of the United States” (Juan Flores).

Despite having commercial success with his many compositions (some co-compositions) in the boogaloo filed (inc. Michaela, I Like it Like That, Oh That’s Nice, Guagaloo) he left Pete Rodriguez’s band after a fall out and very soon after formed his own band, Tony Pabon y su Estrellas, who released a self titled album in 1970 on Alegre, which featured his preferred singer Nestor Sanchez:

“ Without a doubt the most versatile vocalist that I have ever known. Nestor can deliver a balad in Spanish or English without the slightest trace of an accent in either. He can swing to typical Latin tunes, and for the same token burn a rock tune, need I say more?” (sleeve notes - Tony Pabon introducing his All Stars).

The core of this band went on to become La Protesta, who went on to record five, extremely fine, albums, also with Nestor Sanchez on vocals: La Protesta (1971), Free (1971), On The Right Track (1972), Introducing Nestor Sanchez (1973) & El Capitan (1974).

Linda Leida

Con Sabor A Montuno (Released in 1991)
Here is another fine release from great label la SAR featuring Linda Leida...this is traditional Son Muntuno which always conforms with this label policy: plenty of spaces for improvisation and amazing solos as always.

One of those rarities in salsa, a woman singer, Linda Leida began her solo career in the mid-'70s and recorded with great latin artists like Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Javier Vasquez and many others. She was unfortunately murdered in the late 1980s...

Enjoy!



Tack listings:
1. La Alegria Del Montuno
2. A Comer Chicharron
3. Anita
4. El Guaguanco Y El Son
5. Oye Como Suena
6. Ay! Que Tiene El

Willie Salcedo

Willy "Salsero" si te deja el tren (1982)
Hey folks, stop here and put your ears onto this LP! Amazing salsa dura de Columbia...don't pay attention to the "cheapy" cover ;-) beleive me this is dynamite for balaidores and salsa dura lovers. The orchestration is just enormous, strong horn section, as well as a tuff rythm section and coros/pregones, in the spirit of the good old time salsa. Anyone have any infos about this guy? Will be much appreciated.

PS: I found this great post on salsadescarga, thanks to you ferocam.

Enjoy!



Track listings:
01. El colao
02. Si te volviera a ver
03. Aunque se vista de seda
04. Arrollando
05. Si te deja el tren
06. Sonerito
07. Pena de amor
08. Lola

Musicians:
Trompetas: Adolfo castro, Carlos arnedo, Edward helbein.
trombon: "yayita" gomez, Armando quintero.
Flauta: "Tico" arnedo.
Piano "Alfredito" Linares, "Joe" madrid, Jorge Guarin.
Bajo: denis Lopez.
Congas: Willy salcedo.
Bongo: Augusto Villanueva.
Timbales: Wilson Viveros.
Percusion: Mauricio Daltaire.
Coros: "Chiqui" tamayo, Gabriel rondon, mauricio daltaire, Hectro viveros.

Louie Romero Y Su Grupo Mazacote

Timbalero (2006)
Long time no post of Latin Jazz!...here you go with Louie Romero and his Mazacote band. Louie Romero is a hard driving timbalero who has fueled the bands of Willie Colon and others in his hometown of New York City in the 70's. It's a real pleasure for me to see that some legends like him are still active and keep on playing wonderful Latin music with today's sound.

By the way, please check out this YouTube video where you'll see young Louie Romero playing his timbales with Willie Colón and the unforgetable Hector Lavoe, what a groove and energy!

In the San Francisco Bay Area, he has led Grupo Mazacote, the popular Salsa and Latin Jazz Ensemble since 1995 and developed it into one of the top bands in Northern California playing hardcore East Coast Salsa.

Latin Jazz lovers will appreciate the Paul Lyons pieces "Sky Blue" and "Como Se Llama." "Sky Blue" stands out with exceptional solos by trumpeter Steffen Kuehn, trombonist Derek James, baritone saxophonist Peter Cornell and pianist Peter Meredith. Percusison lovers will not be in rest with some powerful timbales solos performed by senor Romero.

Enjoy!



Track listings:
1. Timbalero
2. Si Tu No La Otra
3. Lous Afro Cuban Blues
4. Radio Tinguaro
5. One For Louie
6. Yembere
7. Sky Blue
8. Como Se Llama

Percussion legend Louie Romero has appeared on five gold records and two platinum records. Born in Brooklyn, he began playing percussion at the age of seven, inspired by his father Juan. Louie began appearing on the New York salsa scene in the 1960s. In 1967, famous trombonist and bandleader Willie Colón asked Louie to join his band after seeing him perform at New York's Broadway Casino.

During those 10 years, Louie played with the best musicians from salsa's famed Fania record label, including Hector Lavoe and Ruben Blades. When Colón's band broke up in 1977, Louie continued to record with other Fania groups, eventually recording over 20 albums for the label. He then expanded into folkloric music and latin jazz, playing with greats like Paquito D'Rivera.

Louie moved to California in 1984, seeking a change of pace. In 1994, he formed Mazacote, which quickly gained a reputation as one of San Francisco's finest salsa bands.
More infos here.

Willie Rosario

Hey folks, here I'am again, Happy New Year and thanks all for your visits and comments on this blog! I 'd like to start this year with a great arranger, band leader, percussionist and timbalero, el senor Willie Rosario de Puerto Rico!

I'am my self a timbales player in a Paris Salsa band called "La Candela" and we are actually playing few tunes of Willie Rosario with a lot of pleasure. I have a lot of respect for this guy that always keeps his orchestra grooving with a fantastic way of arranging and keeping the beat whatever comes up, in a simply way. He's often called "the master of rhythm and swing".

Rosario adds baritone saxophone to his four-trumpet front line which makes his sound very unique.

Here are 4 albums that I could listen to every day, it's pura Salsa that should not keep you seated on your chair. Bailadores, this is Puertorican dynamite and this is for you ;-)

Enjoy!

Tres con cache (1993)

The roaring fifties (1991)

Gracias mundo (1977)

La historia...mis existos (2007)


Fernando Luis Rosario Marin was born in Coamo, Puerto Rico on 6 May 1930, studied guitar bass, and saxophone at the insistence of his mother. He moved with his family to New York in a Manhattan ghetto known as Spanish Harlem when he was 16 years old, where he then studied journalism and public relations.



There was a pivotal event in Rosario’s musical career around that time: a Tito Puente performance at the famous Palladium in New York, where he was mesmerized by Puente’s artistry and felt compelled to study percussion. This was the beginning of his love affair with timbales.

Rosario’s professional career in salsa music started with tres artist, Luis ‘Lija’ Ortiz, who recorded with Panchito Riset. Rosario went on to work with various bands, including Noro Morales before joining Johnny Segui’s Conjunto in 1953. When Segui moved to Puerto Rico in 1958, Rosario set to work to organize his own band. He visited Tito Rodriguez who gave him helpful advice, as well as Tito Puente. They also provided Rosario with music charts. The band’s first club date was at the Broadway Casino at 137th Street and Broadway.

In 1968, Rosario added baritone saxophone to his four-trumpet front line and has retained this combination until the present day which makes his sound very unique.

Many Rosario's albums includs vocalists Gilberto Santa Rosa and Tony Vega, stars in their own right.

More about Willie Rosario here.

Charanga La Tapa

It's long time since I did not share with you one of my favorite latin music style, Charanga...Here is a little beauty I found along the way on the web (from la SAR again!) and it sounds that this is the only one LP this orchestra recorded in the 80's.

It's traditional Charangas with flutes, violins and impressive solos that should keep you grooving till the last track I hope. Every tune is 8 minutes long or even more and particularly outstanding is the blistering rendition of Eddie Palmieri's "Vamonos Pa'l Monte" (listen to preview), featuring keynote solo from El Pulpo (the squid!) and timbalero Charlie Santiago, hummmm...

Enjoy!



The crew:
Gilberto Colon: Piano
Bobby Rodriguez: Bajo
Rodolfo Gonzalez: Flauta
Feliz Farrar: Violin
Carl Ector: Violin
Charlie Santiago: Timbales
Danny Gonzalez: Conga
Mike Martinez: Guiro
Charlie Rodriguez: Tres
Hector Alomar: Vocals
Pupi Torres: Vocals

Track listings:
1. Papa Montero
2. Oriente
3. Vamonos Pa'l Monte
4. El Platanal de bartolo
5. Presente y Pasado
6. Macorina

Roberto Torres Y Chocolate

Juntos (1974)
Folks, could not let you without this superb LP in your hands!
This is Roberto Torres y Chocolate together playing salsa in the good old time...the arrangements are just superbs and young Torres' voice is a real pleasure!

As mentioned is my previous post, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros had literally worked with a who's who of Latin luminaries, ranging from Arsenio Rodríguez, through Beny Moré (his cousin!), to Machito, before turning bandleader in 1974.

Roberto Torres had been round the block with names like Orquesta Broadway, José Fajardo and La Sonora Matancera, and was on a roll following the success of "El Caminante" from his 1973 solo debut El Castigador on Mericana Records when he joined Chocolate and his band on Juntos (1974 on Mericana), Armenteros' second album as a leader.

Enjoy!



Track listings:
El Castigador
Ya Mismo
Dejame Tranquilo
Falsas Palabras
Mulato
El Gordito De Oro
La Tierra Del Sabor
Barco Sin Rumbo
Para Que Aprendas
Un Caminante Con Salsa

Musicians include:
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros Lead Trumpet and Musical Director
Roberto Torres Lead Vocals
Frank Rodríguez Conga and coro
Charlie Santiago Bongo
Oscar Hernández Piano
Alex Cruz and Willie Vázquez Trombones
Richard Fernández Trumpet
José Santiago Bass
Willie García Coro

Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros

Lo Mejor Vol.1 & Vol.2 (1982)
If you liked the recent posts I did of label la SAR such as Senores Lavoy, Papaito or Quintana, then you should really enjoy those 2 releases of great trumpet player Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros!


All tracks conforms with the SAR policy with plenty of spaces for improvisation and amazing solos as always, what else can I say?...Enjoy!



The hoo-ha caused by the deserved international success of the trademarked Buena Vista Social Club over the last decade has eclipsed the significance of a number of major US-based Cuban artists. One example is trumpeter Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, a prominent name during the era of Cuban music Buena Vista nostalgia harks back to, and who actually performed with legends such as Septeto Habanero, Arsenio Rodríguez and Beny Moré, among others.

He took up residence in New York in 1960, and after working as a sideman with numerous luminaries, including Machito, Larry Harlow, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, he became a bandleader in 1974. In 1979 he became a house musician with SAR and the related Guajiro and Toboga labels, recording with Roberto Torres, Papaíto, Henry Fiol, and many others including the SAR All Stars.

In addition, he fronted a conjunto with a trumpet / trombone frontline for three beautiful típico Cuban LPs, Prefiero El Son (1980), Y Sigo Con Mi Son (1980) and Chocolate Dice (1982), all produced by Roberto Torres and predominantly arranged by Alfredo Valdés Jr. The three albums are compiled on Lo Mejor De Chocolate Vols. 1 & 2.

Musicians include:
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros Director, trumpet & flugelhorn
Alfredo Rodríguez Piano
Charlie Romero Lead vocals
Leonel Sánchez Trumpet
Guillermo Edgehill Bass
Juan Mendez Bongo
Roberto Borrell Conga
Charlie Rodríguez Tres
Lewis Kahn Trombone
Jimmy Bosch Trombone
Roberto Torres & Chocolate Maracas, clave, güiro
Jorge Maldonado Coro
Miguel Quintana Coro
Alfredo Valdés Jr. Arrangements