Salsa Dj Guachi Guaro’s Home on the Net

Pow Wow To The People

Venezuela is such a historical powerhouse of salsa and latin music and by many considered the cradle (”La Cuna”) of Salsa itself. Los Melodicos from Venezuela is considered an institution of Venezuelan music, especially tropical rythms like cumbia, guarachas, porro, gaitas and the like. They have recorded more than 100 albums through the 50s until today and most of these are not that exciting for salseros, but they are a popular group in South America.

However, this album really is a must have. “En Todos Los Ritmos” has everything, but it is especially two tracks that I consider essential:

• Pow Wow. This is a cover version of Pow Wow from Manny Corchado from his solo album “Aprovecha El Tiempo” on the Decca label, a cult track in itself among boogaloo and latin soul collectors. This version by Los Melodicos has more appeal for salseros and works great for dancing a son montuno/cha-cha/boogaloo mix. Listen for the piano that comes in towards the end. Love it! Great fun track that always brings about a smile on people’s faces.
• Salsa Rumbero is a heavy guaguanco with a typical 60s sound, but great vocals, awesome swing, great breaks and a surprising entry of wicked trombone madness at the end. One could easily think Jimmy Bosch(!) was making his entry here, but this is a 60s recording from Venezuela…! This is one of the tracks I played at this year’s Scandinavian Salsa Congress and it went down really well with the crowd.

Que viva Venezuela y sus musicos,
- Guachi

3 comments April 5th, 2010

Wicked Venezuelans

A monster of a release! From Venezuela comes Los Junior Star and their album titled Tumbando Cana on the Palacio label. Amazing all the way, including an absolutely stonking version of “Jazzy” as originally written and performed by Willie Colon. This version is at least as good as Willie’s version but has a flavor of its own in those kickin’ campanas!
When Jazzy, my good friend and fabulous dancer heard this version he immediately bursted out “This is the BEST version of Jazzy ever!”.
The album is full of great tracks, in fact I love all the eight salsa tracks on this album. They are all definitely playtracks and that says something since tracks really do need something special to make my playlists.

One standout for me is “No Tiene Na” which is a bluesy guaguanco with a swing and groove like no other… Have a go and listen to the clip! Another slow burning groover is the cover of “Ritmo Bembe” also recorded by Orlando Marin.

“!Chevere!” from The Superstar’s is another album from the same group. Yes, this really is Los Juniors as well! (reference buscasalsa.com). This has been released numerous times in different south american countries but they are all pretty rare to come across on original vinyl. This edition is the peruvian release on the FTA label.

I was lucky to find this in near mint condition, possibly unplayed!

Anyway, this is a superb album with swingin’ guaguancos all the way. Great tunes such as “Che Jose” and “Guaguanco Manny” (from Manny Corchado), “Con La Misma Moneda” from Chivirico Davila etc. All tracks are swinging and great!

15 comments February 14th, 2006