¡Viva La Libertad!
Caballeros, Mexico tiene su Salsa… and what great music that comes out of this beautiful country! For a long time I used to believe there wasn’t any groups from Mexico that would rival the salsa dura that came out of Venezuela, Colombia and New York, but then again it would be very strange if nothing were to be found given the great position that latin/cuban music has had in the country since the 1940s.
But how wrong was I! There are a multitude of great groups that were active in the 70s from Mexico. Most only got their records locally distributed, so no chance for an international status. Nevertheless, groups like Grupo Sabor, Yimbola Combo, Lobo y Melon, Gamboa Ceballos, Grupo La Justicia, Pepe Arevalo, Sonora Veracruz, Conjunto Sandumoro, Conjunto Africa and more have produced some priceless moments in their recordings.
This is about Grupo La Libertad, one of the finest examples of Mexican 70s tombone based salsa dura. Led by Armando Gallegos, this group has produced two albums in the 70s. The first one is the selftifled one with the chains and the hands. This is a true classic record! Released on the Fania Linea Plata label in 1976. It contains arrangements by Javier Vazquez and Luisito Marti among others.
The musicians are:
- Armando Gallegos - Bongo
- Rafael Argumedo - Trumpet
- Humberto Argumedo - Trombone
- Wenceslao Ortiz - Piano
- Arcadio Gallegos - Tarolas
- Alejandro Barrientos - Bass, Coro
- Javier Murillo - Singer, Conga
- Santiago Aguilar - Singer
- Ezequiel “Cheque” Valdivieso - Trombone courtesy of Grupo Sabor
Thei highlights that make this a must-have classic of Salsa are:
- Punto Na’Ma’ This track comes at you with ‘bones and trumpets blazing and then follows up with a sweet piano solo by Wenceslao Ortiz. Great dancefloor potential.
- Te Vas A Acordar De Mi Arranged by Javier Vazquez, this song was also recorded by Roberto Roena on his third album. That version is a salsa sabrosa too, but this version is a pure flame burner of a track. Ironically this version sports that wicked bongo solo that is missing from Roena’s version…!
- Yo Sigo Pa Lante Though the other tracks are great to play, this is the killer that brings down the house and makes the rumbero in you come out! “Tu Vas Pa’ ‘tras Yo Sigo Pa’lante” love the coro and the break into the timbale solo. ¡Esto si es puro candela!
The other tracks are also nice with some more salsa, son montuno and a bolero.
Their second album titled Salsa’78 came out on the MR records, produced by Manuel Rodriguez for his label. Recordng engineer is the legendary Jon Fausty. This is no less a most excellent salsa album, with several great dance tracks.
Personell:
- Tono Peregrino - Singer / Guiro
- Santiago Aguilar - Singer / Maracas
- Armando Gallegos - Director / Timbales
- Wenceslao Ortiz - Piano
- Alejandro Barrientos - Bass
- Arcadio Gallegos - Bongo
- Jesus Gallegos - Conga
- Rafael Argumedo - Trumpet
- Francisco Abonce - Trumpet
- Humberto Argumedo - Trombone
- Pedro Garcia - Trombone
- Joaquin Salamanca - Corus
- Fermin Ramirez - Corus
There are many nice tracks on this album, Libertad, Metiendo Mano A La Salsa, Oye Mi Dios are all great salsa tracks for the dance floor, but the standouts that I’d like to bring attention to are:
- Saludo A Panama Arranged by the great arranger Jorge Millet who also arranged most of the other tracks on this album. This is a salut from this group to the great country of Panama and their Salsa. Love the flavor of the singer Tono Peregrino and those tight ‘bones! This really is a tight and swinging group!
- Son De La Alegria Again cool breaks and that strong ‘bone Salsa. Wicked dance track.
- Rumbamba The stand out flame burner track! Super tight swing and great solo on Timbal from Armando Gallegos himself.
Check out these cool clips on youtube for live performances of this great group:
“Libertad”
“Rumbamba”
Yours truly,
- Guachi
5 comments November 17th, 2008