Orchestra Harlow Rumbambola Fania Records (JMLP-543) Larry Harlow was very careful in making sure that musicians like conguero Frankie Rodriguez was given credit in this re-issue since he was left out of the line-up in the original Lp recording. He even listed the arrangers for me particularly proud of the work done by Marty Sheller on the Noro Morales tune Rumbambola. True to Harlow style, the musician of Jewish ancestry did right by the Puerto Rican pianist who was popular in New York spots like the Stork Club and High Society during the 30s, 40s and 50s. Morales also played in Augosto Coens (an Afro-Puerto Rican Jew) big band before Mario Bauza and his Afro-Cubans ever hit the Big Apple. In this rendition, Harlow plays in the lush rhythmic style of Noro enhancing the masters original quintet sound with big band thunder throwing bouncy bata beats over Larrys keyboard comps prefaced by 6/8 nanigo bridge that chequeres into the rumba and ends with a Chick Corea sounding twist. Quite amazing. As are the vocals of the late, Albino Divino, Nestor Sanchez; underrated and unrecognized before his untimely death in 2003, Sanchez here jumps octaves, plays with the scales and does it all in a seamless poetry of improvised words that evoke a trained musician creating with his instrument rather than a singer fronting a band. Another Sheller arrangement, Con La Major Elegancia has Sanchez proudly claiming himself the champion of soneros literally providing a master vocal class with the tune. Add to all this the nasty, swinging flavor of Larrys band and this is a throw-down, kick-ass dance number that takes no prisoners. The following, Ponte A Bailar Mi Son Conmigo arranged by Edwin Rodriguez is a lighthearted and joyful dance number written by Yanes Gomez that basically makes you feel good. A tribute to song and dance as remedy for all pain, Sanchez proposes we dance as he sings, improvising. Flor Y La Espada written by my uncle Mike Guagentti, again showcases the phenomenal vocalizing of Sanchez. Here the Albino overdubs his own harmonies while Harlow throws what sounds like a moog synthesizer electronic sounds into the mix. Driven by a tight percussive engine that crescendos into some tasty monas coming up from a brass back line that includes Tony Cofresi on lead trumpet along with Pete Nater and Charlie Miller, the tune is rounded off by t-bones of Angel Papo Vazquez and Lewis Kahn. Para Mi Obatala starts as a dance number but dont be fooled. It quickly evokes Afro-Cuban traditions that meet the 21st Century more than twenty years before the new millennium began. Written by Tata Guerra and arranged by Mark Weinstein the tune mixes Afro-Cuban with a real New York feel integrating bata drums deftly played by Milton Cardona, Frankie Rodriguez and Frankie Malabe. A dynamic timbal solo by Tony Jimenez talks Congo to the band, while the brass lines stand out uniformly only to lay back and make way for the bata finale. A tribute to the Latin American country, Viva Caracas written by Guagenti and arranged by Louie Ramirez has a definite Ramirez mark with a doo-woo flavor within its dance style mambo and Latin American carnival feeling. Nestor again stands out in his vocalizing giving a holler to Oscar De Leon and Dimencion Latina with some wonderful trumpet work by a Chappotin sounding Pete Nater and Charlie Miller that would make even Maynard Fergusons hairs stand on end. Caracas becomes an important venue for Latin music during this time as the Fania label was responsible for expanding the reach of the working bands beyond the traditional New York / Puerto Rico airbus as it was in the 50s and 60s. By the mid-70s, bands were working consistently throughout Latin America and parts of Europe. Hardcore salsa bands during this time played a variety of genres as heard here in this lively charanga tune, La Vida Tiene Su Cosa written by Miguel Jorrin and arranged by Harry Max. Harlow solos here on a fender rhodes with some fancy fiddling by Lewis Kahn accompanied by jazz flutist Artie Webb who goes tropical on this number. Viente Anos written by Ana Teresa Vera and arranged by the great late Charlie Palmieri showcases Nestors ballad style and the bands range of dynamics and skilled musicians. Harlows knack for mixing styles and genres is again highlighted in La Reina Del Cafe. Written by Rudy Calzado, salsa is mixed with Puerto Rican bomba in a highly stylized and technically deft dance arrangement by Sheller. Sporting a catchy coro featuring Ismael Quintana, Mike Guagenti and Adalberto Santiago, La Reina swings for both the dancer and the musician. Overall, Rumbambola is a masterful work of diverse styles unmatched today. The tribute to master pianist Noro Morales, the nod to Caracas, Venezuela, the showcasing of musicians featured here coupled with the creativity and variety of the arrangers make Rumbambola a must have. Enjoy! Side A 1. Con La Mayor Elegancia 2. Ponte A Bailar Mi Son Conmigo 3. La Flor Y La Espada 4. Para Mi Obatala Side B 1. Viva Caracas 2. La Vida Tiene Su Cosa 3. Veinte Anos 4. La Reina Del Cafe 5. Rumbambola Personnel: Larry Harlow: Leader, Acoustic Grand Piano, Moog Synthesizer, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Clavinet Tony Jimenez: Timbales, Percussion Frankie Rodriguez: Tumbadora Frankie Malabe: Bongo, Cowbell, Bata, Percussion Julio Romero: Ampeg Baby Bass Tony Cofresi: Trumpet Pete Nater: Trumpet Charlie Miller: Trumpet Lewis Kahn: Trombone, Violin Angel Papo Vazquez: Trombone Lead Vocals: Nestor Sanchez Coro: Mike Guagenti Ismael Quintana Adalberto Santiago Special Invited Guest Stars: Milton Cardona: Bata, Chequere John Clark: Frenchhorn Jimmy Buffington: Frenchhorn Steve Berrios: Trap Drums Mike Collazo: Trap Drums Art Webb: Flute Bob Rose: Electric Guitar Elliot Randall: Electric Guitar Maki Kurukowa: Tres Harry Max: Violin Sal Matlock: Viola Pat Dixon: Cello Ismael Quintana: Maracas, Guiro, Coro Adalberto Santiago: Coro Mike Guagenti: Coro Eddie Gua Gua Rivera: Ampeg Baby Bass Musical Arrangements by: Larry Harlow Marty Sheller Harry Max Charlie Palmieri Luis Cruz Louie Ramirez Edwin Rodriguez Mark Weinstein Produced by: Larry Harlow for Passing Clouds, Inc. Executive Producer: Jerry Masucci Album Cover Liner Photo: Lee Marshall Album Cover Art: Steve Quintana for Quingraphics Productions, Inc. Recording Engineer: Jon Fausty Recorded @: La Tierra Sound Studios, NYC FANIA RECORDS, 1979 A FANIA RECORDS PRODUCTION
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 23:32:49 +0000
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