You know, it is funny how often I’ve come across great salsa from Mexico, especially considering that when I first got into salsa I heard so many places “Mexican music is NOT salsa!”. However, as they say “Mejico tiene su Salsa tambien, caramba!”.
This is a very special record for me and one that I bought long time ago but only recently have been feeling it more and more.
Angelina Meza Hernandez is the leader of this group. From 1977 on the mexican Son-Art label this is Angelina’s first recording and possibly only recording of Salsa.
I first heard about this group from dj Little Danny of Office Naps fame and this is also who sold me this great record. Check out office naps too!
The sound here has a typical mexican flavor of afro-cuban music, similar to other mexican groups such as Los Yimbola Combo, Sonora Vera Cruz etc. This is a two trumpet, two saxes combo with piano, bass, timbales and percussion.
There’s some really culo-kicking songs that has me dancing wildly around in my ‘casa’ here!
Sun Sun Babae is the bomb of a version of this classic classic tune penned originally by Rogelio Martinez from Cuba. What hits me, in addition to the high energy of this song is the amazingly addictive harmony of the coro. Not only have they cool harmony but style and sabor too! Singer Julio Pena also does an excellent job. Sweet piano work from Manuel “Manzanita” Diaz, kickin’ timbales from Julio Pena.
I love the execution of the breaks in this tune. This is one of the best best versions of Sun Sun Babae I have heard and always takes the party to another level… “Rica Papi!”
The song in its original version is very very fast, but it works really well slowed down for a full social dance floor as well!
Ocana Sordi is another old classic cuban(?) tune that seems popular with mexican latin musicians. Julio Pena handles the soneos really well and this is where the song takes off. Love the piano solo from Manuel Diaz here too.
Oye Lo Que Te Conviene is labeled as “Bolero Ritmico” but I think this is definitely more “Ritmico” than “Bolero”! As you guessed it this is another take on Eddie Palmieri’s famous tune. This one is very different though and is not as fast nor as long as Eddie’s version. Therefore also much easier to make work any time for a full dance floor. What really makes this version shine is the voice and sabor of singer Santa Luna. She really takes me away. Also, sweet breaks and a mid tempo is perfect for a full Salsa dance floor anytime.
La Hija de Lola I think this song deserves honorable mentions too, it is quite a different take on Charlie Palmieri’s famous La Hija de Lola (a long time favorite of mine). Though it is not really possible to come close to Charlie’s version, that is simply untouchable! Still a nice listen this version.
Musicians:
Jesus Morales - Trumpet
Esteban Casas - Trumpet
Alberto Ramirez - Also-Sax
Genaro Jimenez - Tenor-Sax
Manuel Diaz “Manzanita” - Piano
Manuel Campos - Bass
Julio Pena - Timbales and singer
Angelina Meza - Conga and singer and director
Bertha Gamez - Percussion and singer
Santa Luna - Percussion and singer
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:
