Ismael Miranda Con Orchestra Harlow Abran Paso Fania Records (FSLP-396) Here, singer Ismael Miranda takes a front & center stand as composer & lead singer before recording one more final album with Orchestra Harlow in 1971 & going solo. The statement here was make way - and the reason for photographing Miranda separating the fringes of Harlows jacket while making his way up from under the Harlow Orchestra. A host of the best arrangers of the time choreographed the music to the lyrics. In this album, a young Miranda spreads his composing wings by writing five of the nine tunes starting with the title hit Abran Paso. Heralding his bravura with a strong call & response between the trumpets & the trombones, Javier Vazquez arrangement conforms to the bold lyrics by having the brass join & harmonize with each other making room for Mirandas charging soneos. Manny Oquendos bongo beats between the notes adds a hair-standing dimension that picks up the skin & like a reflex, makes you move. Rounding out the rhythm section with Frankie Rodriguez on congas, while the timbales are deftly handled by Phil Newsum, an original Harlow band member from New Yorks East Harlem barrio. As a result, Abran Paso is a self-defining & empowering creed of cultural independence: bold & arrogant while similarly spiritual, sensitive & caring. Another Miranda number, Donde Llevas El Son recalls the Alegre Label process of prefacing the music with a repartee between the artists. Here they talk about the direction of the rhythm son. The Afro-Cuban son montuno then hits hard while tightly receding into a laid back almost cha-cha feel. Harlow keeps his solo rhythmic, well spoken & fluidly flowing with everything thats going on around him, including the funky thumping of Joe Santiagos bass lines framing the counterbeats of the bongo & conga. Hugo Gonzalez Se Casa La Rumba picks up the pace in a dancy, saucy stepping style where Santitos Colon & Justo Betancourt ( whos on coro along with Yayo El Indio & Marcelino Guerra) talk during the mambo just before the bones come in with a mona followed by the trumpets of a Larry Spencer & Ralph Castrello in counterpoint rhythm to the trombones of Lewis Kahn & Leopoldo Pineda. Abandonada Fue recounts the tale of a man deceived by a woman. Another Miranda number, this one speaks to deception & betrayal, featuring a dynamic Harlow piano solo that touches on the classical before retreating back to the tipico. Sabroso! The Tite Curet Alonso, Vengo Virao adds extra fuel to Mirandas fire, comparing the singers arrival to that of a sharks; agitated, concentrated & deadly. Move out the way because hes coming through & hes coming sideways...Miranda brings down the Orishas calling for Chango. The Miranda penned Oigan Bien Mi Guaguanco is a nicely paced dancers cadence recalling Cuban musicians that opened musical paths decades before such as Los Papines, Chocolate Y Sus Estrellas, Chappottin, & Barroso. The coro, bass & rhythm come into sync here underscoring the need to sing this guaguanco. Listen well, as they updated the genre to reflect its urban, New York setting. Ayer Me Entere is a classic Curet Alonso bolero, deep felt & emotionally moving as done by Miranda. With melodic piano lines coloring the laments of unrequited love, the entire ensemble is featured in a tightly woven blend of quality music as good to listen as it is to snuggle. Salsa turns into rock on Rise Up done one year earlier with Harlows rock band Ambergris (translation: whale puke). Everyones singing in English calling an end to racism, injustice & war. A product of its time, Harlow had the fringe jackets that grace the cover made @ Woodstock. A tasty conga solo by Frankie Rodriguez is worth a listen. Back to Miranda & his Dolor Y Amor - nothing but salsa gorda here. Throw-down danceable, hard-driving & ass kicking is what this albums all about. Enjoy! Side A 1. Abran Paso 2. Donde Llevas El Son 3. Se Casa La Rumba 4. Abandonada Fue Side B 1. Vengo Virao 2. Oigan Bien Mi Guaguanco 3. Ayer Me Entere 4. Rise Up 5. Dolor Y Amor Personnel: Larry Harlow: Leader, Acoustic Piano Phil Newsum: Timbales Manny Oquendo: Bongo, Cowbell Frankie Rodriguez: Conga Larry Spencer: Trumpet Ralph Castrello: Trumpet Lewis Kahn: Trombone Leopoldo Pineda: Trombone Yomo Toro: Tres Joe Santiago: Ampeg Baby Bass Lead Vocals: Ismael Miranda Coro: Marcelino Guerra Yayo El Indio Santitos Colon Justo Betancourt Musical Arrangements by: Javier Vazquez Larry Harlow Bobby Valentin Charlie Palmieri Marty Sheller Charlie Cameleri Produced by: Jerry Masucci Executive Producer: Jerry Masucci Recording Director: Larry Harlow Album Cover Photo: Len Bauman Front Album Cover Design: Thom Williams Back Cover Design: Izzy Sanabria Recording Engineer: Irv Greenbaum Mixed by: Irv Greenbaum & Larry Harlow Recorded @: Broadway Recording Studios, NYC FANIA RECORDS, 1971 A FANIA RECORDS PRODUCTION
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:45:13 +0000
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