Descarga.com Classics Revisited, Issue #20 (Angel Canales, Andy Harlow, Puente, Mon Rivera and Willie Rosario)

Sat May 26 15:09:43 EDT 2007

The Descarga Review
Classics Revisited, Issue #20 • May 26, 2007

Angel Canales, Andy Harlow, Tito Puente, Mon Rivera and Willie Rosario
Bad links? No images? click: HERE

Classics Revisited, Issue #20
Refreshing the parts of the Descarga.com catalog that other reviews  
don't reach.
by John Child

ANGEL CANALES
Sabor Con Angel Canales
Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition
Originally released: 1975
Reissued: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA: CLASSIC 1960s or 1970s NEW YORK
EditorsPick: **Classics Revisited**
"Angel's singing style and showmanship made people turn around to  
listen and watch him perform rather than dance," said Louie Cruz, who  
wrote arrangements for Angel Canales, during a conversation with me  
for the Descarga.com piece Louie Cruz: To The Best His Knowledge. "He  
had a very good band that played the tunes the same way he sang -  
with lots of dynamics. They succeeded in establishing a sound and  
style like him: 'different'." While effectively Canales' first solo  
album (he is prominently pictured on the front cover), this 1975  
recording for Alegre Records is actually named after the band Sabor  
with a sub-billing on the rear cover reading "Sabor con Angel  
Canales". Sabor had been Mark "Markolino" Dimond's band, debuting on  
his 1971 stone classic Brujeria on Vaya Records with Canales on lead  
vocals. A drug addict, Dimond was not taking care of business, so  
Sabor walked out on him. Besides Canales, trombonists Ricardo  
"Richie" Montañez and John "Fudgy" Torres (who also assumes the  
mantle of musical director), conguero Antonio Tapia and bongo player  
Louie Rivera remained with Sabor for this album and continued to be  
core members of Angel's band into the '80s. José Madrid (1945-2005),  
a Colombian pianist who recorded in New York with Andy Harlow and  
Mongo Santamaría, replaced Dimond. This album pretty much set the  
mould for Canales' unique hard driving and complex jazzy sound. The  
liner note writer, Jaime Torres Torres, credits Colombian pianist Edy  
Martínez, who wrote seven of the eight arrangements, as the  
architect. The album spawned the hits "Sabor Los Rumberos  
Nuevos" (arranged by Louie Cruz), "Lejos De Ti" and "El Cantante Y La  
Orquesta". Canales composed half the tracks, including "Sol De Mi  
Vida", co-penned with John Torres and featuring a haunting solo from  
Madrid.
Very Highly Recommended. (John Child)

SONG TITLES:
1. Sabor Los Rumberos Nuevos (4:18) 2. Sol De Mi Vida (6:26) 3. La  
Hiedra (4:54) 4. Perico Macona (3:27) 5. Hace Tiempo (4:40) 6. Lejos  
De Ti (4:13) 7. No Te Acostumbre (3:18) 8. El Cantante Y La Orquesta  
(3:41)
MUSICIANS:
• Juan Torres: Musical director and trombone
• Ricardo Montanez: Trombone
• Tom Malone: Trumpet
• Emerito Benitez: Baritone sax and flute
• Jose Madrid: Piano
• Eddie Testo: Bass
• Antonio Tapia: Conga
• Gadier Quiñones: Timbales
• Aldemaro Luis Rivera: Bongo
Price: $13.98

• Click here to Order Sabor Con Angel Canales Now!

ANDY HARLOW
Sorpresa La Flauta - Limited Edition
Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition
Originally released: 1972
Reissued: 2006
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA: CLASSIC 1960s or 1970s NEW YORK
EditorsPick: **Classics Revisited**
Sorpresa La Flauta, the 1972 solo debut by reeds and vibes player,  
composer and arranger Andy Harlow on Fania's subsidiary Vaya label  
garnered a gold disc and spawned "La Lotería", the company's biggest  
selling 45 rpm to date. His older brother, the already established  
bandleader, Larry Harlow, produced the album and recommended that  
Andy adopt a trombanga sound and eschew his main instrument, the sax,  
to play flute in the band's two 'bones and flute frontline. Talking  
in detail about the making of the album with me for the Descarga.com  
piece Interview with a Salsa Brother, Andy revealed sidemen and  
specific arranger credits omitted from the original vinyl release.  
These are also given below. "The recording was very well planned up  
front. We spent a lot of time selecting tunes and assigning  
arrangers. Larry, Ismael (Miranda) and I did it together," said Andy.  
"It was a tremendous break for me and I really put all my energies  
into it." This is clearly evident from this lovingly remastered  
reissue, and as Andy adds in his liner notes: "This classic hard  
driving New York salsa dura from the '70s can be enjoyed by a whole  
new generation of salsa lovers as well as my own generation."
Very Highly Recommended. (John Child)

SONG TITLES:
1. Ay Que Bueno - Arranger: Javier Vázquez (3:59) 2. Cambia El Paso -  
Arranger: Mark Weinstein (4:42) 3. Superstar - Arranger: Barry Levitt  
(3:42) 4. No, Que Va A Llorar - Arranger: Javier Vázquez (4:11) 5.  
Sorpresa La Flauta - Arranger: Andy Harlow (6:43) 6. Amor Perdido  
(2:45) 7. El Primer Montuno - Arranger: Andy Harlow (4:41) 8. La  
Loteria - Arranger: Mark Weinstein (3:18)
MUSICIANS:
• Andy Harlow: Leader/flute
• Johnny Vasquez: Vocalist
• Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez: Coro
• Adalberto Santiago: Coro
• Ismael Miranda: Coro
• Jose Madrid: Piano
• Alfredo Roddriguez: Piano
• Joe Santiago: Bass
• Louis Kahn: Trombone
• Leopoldo Pineda: Trombone
• Abie Lima: Timbales
• Frankie Rodriguez: Congas
• Dizzy "Izzy" Sanabria : 3 voices on "La Loteria"
• Nicky Marrero: Bongos
Price: $13.98

• Click here to Order Sorpresa La Flauta - Limited Edition Now!

TITO PUENTE
Homenaje a Beny More
Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition
Originally released: 1978
Reissued: 2006
Category: DANCE TRADITIONS; BIG BAND MAMBO JAZZ
EditorsPick: **Classics Revisited**
El Rey del Timbal, one of New York's trinity of Mambo Kings, pays  
homage to Cuba's El Barbaro del Ritmo! Although the success of  
Homenaje a Beny (Tico Records, 1978) generated a trilogy, this is  
TP's ultimate Beny Moré covers album. The august Puente operation,  
sporting four saxes, three trombone, four trumpets and a formidable  
rhythm section, is transformed into the quintessential tribute band  
with a stellar cast of vocalists, including Celia Cruz, Cheo  
Feliciano, Santos Colón, Ismael Quintana, Adalberto Santiago and  
Nestor Sánchez. Puente takes the reigns as far as musical and  
recording direction is concerned and arranges two tracks. Other top- 
notch arrangers involved include Jorge Millet, Marty Sheller, Louie  
Cruz, Edy Martínez and Sonny Bravo (pianist on the session). Louie  
Ramírez, who had directed his own big band and collaborated with Tito  
Rodríguez (also a member of New York's Mambo King trinity),  
masterfully handles the production. Most of Beny's trademark numbers  
are there, such as "Yiri Yiri Bon" powerfully interpreted by Celia  
and arranged by Tito. Sánchez does a wonderful job on "Bonito Y  
Sabroso", arranged by Martínez. The album took El Rey to Grammy land  
for the first time.
Very Highly Recommended. (John Child)

SONG TITLES:
1. Que Bueno Baila Usted (4:15) 2. Yiri Yiri Bon (3:20) 3. Bonito Y  
Sabroso (3:41) 4. Dolor Y Perdon (2:27) 5. Se Me Cayo El Tabaco  
(3:51) 6. Encantado De La Vida (2:59) 7. Francisco Guayabal (3:46) 8.  
Baila Mi Son (3:20) 9. Camarera Del Amor (3:42) 10. Santa Isabel De  
Las Lajas (4:36)
MUSICIANS:
• Bobby Porcelli: Alto sax
• Mitch Frohman: Alto sax
• Ed Palermo: Tenor sax
• Steve Sachs: Baritone sax
• Jimmy Frisaura: Trombones
• Leopoldo Pineda: Trombones
• Sam Burtis: Trombones
• Manuel Silva: Trumpets
• Paulo Di Paula: Trumpets
• Héctor Bomberito Zarzuela: Trumpets
• Luis Perico Ortiz: Trumpets
• Sonny Bravo: Piano
• Joe Santiago: Bass
• Nicky Marrero: Timbales
• Johnny Dandy Rodriguez: Congas, bongo, timbales, percussion
• Jose Madera: Congas, bongo, timbales, percussion
• Tito Puente: Vibes, timbales
• Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Santos Colon, Ismael Quintana,  
Adalberto Santiago, Hector Casanova, Junior Gonzalez, Nestor Sanchez,  
Luigi Texedor: Lead vocals
• Tito Allen, Ruben Blades, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Puente: Coro
Price: $13.98

• Click here to Order Homenaje a Beny More Now!

MON RIVERA
Que Gente Averigua
Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition
Originally released: 1961
Reissued: 2007
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA: CLASSIC 1960s or 1970s NEW YORK
EditorsPick: **Classics Revisited**
Bandleader, singer, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Mon  
Rivera was a pioneer of the trombone frontline in Latin music, some  
say he was the pioneer, whereas others maintain that Eddie Palmieri  
was the originator. But perhaps it was their record producer at the  
time, Al Santiago (founder of Alegre Records), who deserves the  
credit? In typically solipsistic fashion, Al wrote in his column "The  
Other Side of The CD" for the Descarga Newsletter in 1994 (click  
here): "It was my idea and I recorded both Eddie and Mon. Some  
aficionados seem to think that since Eddie's Alegre LP Eddie Palmieri  
and his Conjunto La Perfecta '62 (his debut album) was catalogue  
number 817 and Mon's was number 823 that Eddie had the first trombone  
band. On the surface it does appear that way, but the reality is that  
Mon's 45 rpm 'Que Gente Averigua' was released before Eddie's LP.  
More important than that is the fact that Eddie's Vol. 1 contained  
three different instrumentations, none of which were strictly 'bonesŠ  
The fact is that Mon was the first trombone band and, of course,  
Eddie will verify it." Whoever it was, the all-trombone sound  
influenced bandleaders like Willie Colón and others, and has been  
described as the symbol of urban salsa. Mon wrote all the songs and  
arrangements on 1963's Que Gente Averigua (reissued as Mon y sus  
Trombones on Vaya in 1976); while no musicians were credited on the  
original sleeve, Al disclosed in 1991 that the personnel featured  
Charlie Palmieri, piano on eight tracks; Eddie Palmieri, piano on two  
tracks, including the tasty instrumental "Lluvia Con Nieve"; Barry  
Rogers, Mark Weinstein and Manolin Pazo, trombones; and Kako on  
timbales.
Very Highly Recommended. (John Child)

SONG TITLES:
1. Monina - Guaguanco 2. Que Gente Averigua - Plechanga 3. Pachanga  
Con Guaguanco - Pachanga 4. Plebochanga - Plebochanga 5. La Cuca -  
Mambo 6. Como Esta Pita - Mambo 7. La Plechanga De Trabalengua -  
Plechanga 8. Lluvia Con Nieve - Mambo 9. Una Plena - Plena 10. En  
Casa De Pepe - Mambo
MUSICIANS:
• Charlie Palmieri: Piano
• Eddie Palmieri: Piano
• Barry Rogers: Trombon
• Mark Weinstein: Trombon
• Manolin Pazo: Trombon
• Kako: Timbales
• Leo Fleming: Bajo
Price: $13.98

• Click here to Order Que Gente Averigua Now!

WILLIE ROSARIO
El Bravo De Siempre
Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition
Originally released: 1969
Reissued: 2006
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA: CLASSIC 1960s or 1970s NEW YORK
EditorsPick: **Classics Revisited**
"Composer, percussionist and bandleader Willie Rosario has had a four  
trumpet conjunto since 1963 and in 1967 a baritone sax was added,"  
wrote Al Santiago in 1978. "Willie has excellent taste in picking  
material, sidemen, vocalists and arrangers. The band is well  
rehearsed and tight, brassy but always with authentic rhythms. He  
prefers progressive arrangements but still maintains a típico sound."  
Willie signed with Inca Records and released a series of seven albums  
(including a compilation) on the label between 1969 and 1978. His  
Inca debut, El Bravo De Siempre, contained his first major hit "La  
Cuesta De La Fama", composed and sung by Panamanian Meñique  
Barcasnegras. Standout cuts include the title track penned by Willie  
and Tite Curet Alonso's "La Esencia Del Guaguancó", the cover version  
of which became one of Johnny Pacheco and Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez's  
greatest hits (included in their 1970 album La Perfecta Combinación  
on Fania). Apart from the lead singers and composers, the only  
personnel credited on the album are the arrangers Héctor de León,  
Charlie Palmieri and Louie Ramírez. However, it is understood that  
this is one of the four Rosario albums virtuoso pianist Alfredo  
Rodríguez (1936-2005) performed on.
Highly Recommended. (John Child)

SONG TITLES:
1. El Bravo De Siempre - Guaracha 2. La Esencia Del Guaguanco -  
Guaguanco 3. Black Magic - Latin Jazz 4. Soy Tan Feliz - Bolero 5. La  
Cuesta De La Fama - Son Montuno 6. La Realidad - Guaguanco 7.  
Superman - Guaguanco 8. Besame La Bembita - Son Cha Cha Cha 9. By The  
Time I Get To Phoenix - Balada Cha Cha 10. Ñico Cadenon - Son Montuno  
11. Campanero - Guaracha
Price: $13.98

• Click here to Order El Bravo De Siempre Now!

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