The Imperial Sextet Strikes Back
Vibes based salsa (and latin jazz) has always been one of my favorite flavours of salsa. I’m a huge fan of New Swing Sextet and recommend all of their work, including the new release from 2008. I love how the sound of vibes have this duality to their sound, they are both strong and on point but also sweet and suave. As a chef would put it, little bit of sugar may be the difference between a good sauce and a really great one.
This group I present here is a much less known group, this time from Puerto Rico, one of the finest homes of the salsa that I love! This group is called Imperial Sextet. Led by Ramon Luis Rodriguez, this group produced two albums as far as I know of. Though I’m always open to learning more! Several of the musicians are present on both albums, but with some changes for the album from 1978, called Poema de Amor. The album Pa’ Pinones was released in 1975 on the label Lozano, and the album Poema de Amor came out on Microfon in 1978.
Maybe it is just me, but the expression of an “album release” conjures up visions of a fierce caged animal that was somehow “released” onto the public…
Anyway, this is good stuff - really good stuff. The later album Poema de Amor is more sweet and suave, while Pa’ Pinones has a stronger sound.
From Poema de Amor I like to highlight:
No Vivas de Cuentos and Poema de Amor Both of these tunes are really sweet guaguancos. I really like the combination with the guitar sound and the vibes, beautiful. Sweet breaks. There are also a couple of other similarly beautiful tracks on this album (La Mujer Borincana, Que Bochinche, El Nos Creo are all good).
From Pa’ Pinones there are more unique songs that I just have to talk about:
- Tu Vanidad is definitely the highlight song of this album. A killer strong and fast song, but what a song! What arrangement! It starts off with this superb guaguanco bassline laid down by leader Ramon Luis Rodriguez, then it surprisingly turns into a cha-cha. I love surprises, how boring wouldn’t life be without them? Only after the very brief cha-cha is another cool break and then the full-on salsa comes and takes us by storm. Love playing this track. It is short, surprising and gives people a chance to work up a sweat to a fast song without getting worn out.
- Toma Jabon Pa Que Laves I love this song in the many great versions, especially by Fruko and Daniel Santos. This one is also a winner with vibes and guitar. Love the flavour and strong intent that singer Jose A Millan expresses, actually I love his work in all these songs. Tasty breaks and a very tightly executed swing.
- Moncho Lena is a tribute to the great bandleader Moncho Lena (y Sus Ases del Ritmo), and a really tasty guaguanco this is. That break in the middle is just wild and hot!
- Masango another great song also done by Kike Rosa and Orquesta Mega Uno, all good versions. This version is very tasty and the combination of vibes and guitar is irresistible.
- Los Musicos de P.R. is a tribute to the musicians of Puerto Rico. Wicked breaks with just vibes, guitar and bass. Such amazing moments! I really dig how good Eduardo Rodriguez is on the vibes.
- Pa’ Pinones is also a nice track, sweet breaks and a vibes solo. Heck, you even had me at the sweet breaks.
Very swinging tunes, six excellent songs and one totally unique song in Tu Vanidad make this album a definite keeper! Now I need to see you on the dancefloor…
- Guachi
Total list of musicians for Poema de Amor (Microfon records 1978):
Ramon Luis Rodriguez (Leader, bass)
Jose A. Arroyo (Singer)
Jose A. Rodriguez (Percussion)
Angel Del Rio (Guitar)
Eduardo Rodriguez (Vibes)
Otto Rodriguez (Piano)
Celedonio Delgado, Jose A. Millan, Eduardo Rodriguez (Coro)
Maximo Torres (Arrangements)
For Pa’ Pinones (Lozano records 1975):
Carlos Rivera (Piano)
Jose A. Millan (Guitar and singer)
Jose A. Rodriguez (Conga)
Ruben Osorio (Timbal)
Eduardo Rodriguez (vibes)
Ramon Luis Rodriguez (Leader and Bass)
Jose A. Arroyo (singer on boleros and Maracas)
1 comment March 9th, 2009