So he did -- with a little help from James on electric piano, other New York studio experts like Eric Gale, Randy Brecker, John Tropea, Joe Farrell, and Jon Faddis, and, as an integral part of the All-Stars, Mongo Santamaria.
The results are not at all bad, nor irredeemably diluted. Sometimes the crisp outboard brass section, voices, and strings intrude on the action, and the LP was made in layers, as opposed to herding the band into the studio for a day and letting them wail.
But in most instances, the Latin rhythm section of Santamaria, Nicky Marrero, and Roberto Roena is permitted to dictate the direction and feel of the sessions -- and that gives this LP the vitality that Santamaria's own album with Chattaway two years later (Red Hot) lacked.
This is the second of four albums recorded by the Fania All-Stars on the Columbia label and the best fated of all them. At this time, Fania's mogul, the late Jerry Masucci, engaged in a distribution deal with CBS looking for a shot at crossover. In other words, being at the time the reigning label in Latin music (salsa in this case, to be way more specific), now Masucci wanted to appeal to a wider audience: the American market.
After a disasterous flop with the first attempt ("Delicate and Jumpy," a production by brothers Billy and Gene Page; guess the title they chose for the album says it all...), CBS delegates this project on Bob James, who hires the great Jay Chattaway as the producer. Chattaway, fresh from his acclaimed work on Maynard Ferguson's "Conquistador," the album with the famous Rocky theme on it, attempts the same techinque here with impressive results.
After a disasterous flop with the first attempt ("Delicate and Jumpy," a production by brothers Billy and Gene Page; guess the title they chose for the album says it all...), CBS delegates this project on Bob James, who hires the great Jay Chattaway as the producer. Chattaway, fresh from his acclaimed work on Maynard Ferguson's "Conquistador," the album with the famous Rocky theme on it, attempts the same techinque here with impressive results.
Very unlike what happened in the Page brothers' case, Chatttaway actually took his time to get acquainted with the cast of Fania All-Stars (for recording purposes, virtually reduced to a sextet here: leader Johnny Pacheco on flute, percussion and vocals; conga legend Mongo Santamaría, timbale wizard Nicky Marrero, virtuoso pianist Papo Lucca, bongo player (and amazing dancer) Roberto Roena and top arranger and bassist Bobby Valentin, all of them legends by own merit) and with their style of music.
So, the combination of Fania cast's Latin know-how with Chattaway's innovative style of arranging were an equal match, resulting in the refreshing, outstanding contents of this release.
Highlights on this album include the opener "Ella Fue," a crossover hit co-composed by Pacheco and guest guitarist, the late virtuoso Eric Gale; "En Orbita," straight ahead Latin jazz jam showcasing Marrero, Valentin and trumpet ace Luis "Perico" Ortiz; Chattaway's own "Jubileo," a Brazilian treat featuring Lucca's virtuosity on piano; "Verâo Vermelho," another Brazilian-influenced piece, this time with Pacheco on the spotlight, assisted by fellow flutists Joe Farrell and Eddie Daniels (both actually best known for their virtuosity on other instruments: Farrell on saxes and Daniels as a clarinetist) and trumpet master Randy Brecker; and the salsa classic "Juan Pachanga," featuring singer Ruben Blades (the track's composer, in one of his earlier hits) and one of the most influential arrangers in salsa history: the late Louie Ramirez on vibes.
Highlights on this album include the opener "Ella Fue," a crossover hit co-composed by Pacheco and guest guitarist, the late virtuoso Eric Gale; "En Orbita," straight ahead Latin jazz jam showcasing Marrero, Valentin and trumpet ace Luis "Perico" Ortiz; Chattaway's own "Jubileo," a Brazilian treat featuring Lucca's virtuosity on piano; "Verâo Vermelho," another Brazilian-influenced piece, this time with Pacheco on the spotlight, assisted by fellow flutists Joe Farrell and Eddie Daniels (both actually best known for their virtuosity on other instruments: Farrell on saxes and Daniels as a clarinetist) and trumpet master Randy Brecker; and the salsa classic "Juan Pachanga," featuring singer Ruben Blades (the track's composer, in one of his earlier hits) and one of the most influential arrangers in salsa history: the late Louie Ramirez on vibes.
Side one
1. Ella Fue (She Was The One) - 3:45
2. En Orbita - 4:55
3. Awake - 5:24
4. Peanuts (The Peanut Vendor) - 4:57
Side two
1. Jubileo - 6:33
2. Verão Vermelho - 6:20
3. Steady (Fijo) - 2:49
4. Juan Pachanga (Daylight) (Lead Vocals – Ruben Blades) - 4:14
Companies, etc.
- Manufactured By – Inelco Nederland B.V.
- Distributed By – Inelco
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Fania Records
Credits
- Bass – Bobby Valentin
- Bongos, Percussion – Roberto Roena
- Congas – Mongo Santamaria
- Executive-Producer – Bob James
- Flute, Percussion, Vocals – Johnny Pacheco
- Piano – Papo Lucca
- Producer, Arranged By, Conductor – Jay Chattaway
- Timbales – Nicky Marrero
Notes
Released: 1977
Format: LP
Genre: Afro-Cuban Jazz, Salsa, Pachanga, Latin Jazz
Label: Fania Records
Catalog# PC 34711
Vinyl: VG
Cover: VG
Prijs: €7,99
0 comments:
Een reactie posten