Cat for Mambo
Charlie Rodrigues was born in Boston, Massachusetts of Portuguese parents. He studied music at the Boston Conservatory of Music, but most importantly he went to Puerto Rico and married a boricua and became known for developing Puerto Rico’s interest in jazz.
Just seeing the cover with that sexy kitten on the floor certainly piques my curiosity. And what’s inside does not disappoint!
This band is incredibly tight! Amazing musicianship, and I just wonder who was in this combo? All it says on the back is that Ray Coen is the singer and also part arranger, pianist and composer. His vocal style is wonderful as he has a unique style and timing.
Have a listen to these songs:
- Despierta Emilia Wow a favorite, awesome break into just the bass and vocals and tight tight swing! This song has also been recorded several times by artists as Agustin Arce, Estrellas Caiman and the great cuban Francisco Fellove (the original version?)
- Traigo Un Tumbao Another super tight swinger. Just listen to that bongo solo just clicking right into the rythm section. Now that’s how it is supposed to be done. That’s “bongo chemia” for you, baby!
- Blue Montuno One of my favorite tracks on this album, an instrumental mambo track with superb solos on sax and piano. Definitely a keeper!
- Whip It On Me A great boogaloo (there are also other great boogaloo and shing-a-ling tracks) and I understand very well that this album is sought after by boogaloo/latin soul collectors.
It is easy to confuse this Charlie Rodrigues with the great tresero Charlie Rodriguez of Conjunto Candela/Johnny Pacheco fame, but this is Charlie Rodrigues the sax player.
The diversity of rythms is great, as here you’ll find rythms and styles like mambo, guaguanco, boogaloo, shing-a-ling, and mozambique, both great vocal and instrumental tracks.
Much gratitude goes out to Rolando, a great latin collector from the Bronx/NY who sold this LP to me.
- Guachi
3 comments October 28th, 2008