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
April 5th, 2010
Winter is here and Vancouver is eagerly celebrating and hosting the winter olympics. To keep you warm here is some Salsa heat on 7″s…
First of all I love the format of those 7″, neat and practical for djs because you only bring the grooves actually need.
7″s are also so much fun to dig for because a lot of songs only ever came out as singles and you may also find alternate versions of great songs we love.
Also, you may find creative artists that only ever recorded a 7″ or two for example.
So, here are some interesting bits of 7″s for you all:
- Orquesta Aruba’s El Viaje
on the A.M.C. label is an interesting early 80s recording in a late 70s style of hard salsa with a jazzy vibe. Sweet swing and sweet piano solo too. The flip is a nice track too of swinging but a little laid back Salsa.
- La Familia Orchestra’s Rey del Guaguanco
another take on a wicked song also recorded by Orquesta Fantasma (fantastic version with electric guitar solo) and by colombian Washington y Sus Latinos (with very cool electric organ solo). This one is equally exciting with a fantastic sax solo full of that magic goose bumps factor! The flip is equally cool with a storming version of George Guzman’s Cacumen appropriately renamed Madness for this outing.
- Formula 8’s Brunos
is an obscure 45rpm from this obscure colombian band. This is possibly their first effort. I’m particularly weak for songs that substitute the typical piano for a electric organ or similar. Therefore, this swinging tune will always have a special place in my heart. The flip is another swinging salsa-guaguanco called Formula 8 Llego. Enjoy!
- Javier Vazquez’ Quiero Beber
this is an interesting find that I made while in New York for the Latin Music Collectors Festival. This 7″ claims to be from an album named “Yo Creo En Musica” on Alegre, but as far as I know this album was never released. The only album on Alegre is his masterpiece ‘La Verdad’ which for me stands as one of the best all round albums of Salsa recorded. Javier was certainly one of the most influential musicians on the scene and played a key role in so many memorable recordings.
- Hector Lavoe and Wille Colon’s Juanito Alimana
From my blog here it may seem that I only play rare tracks and artists, but I also do love the classics. The song Juanito Alimana was one of my absolute favorites when I first got into Salsa. Unfortunately the album version is just soo long, and because salseros get tired of dancing to such long songs it unfortunately is seldom played.
Therefore this 7″ is a godsend, because it is only 5 minutes long! Awesome! Now you will get to enjoy this amazing song more often in my sets.
Enjoy!
and until next time, cuidate hermanos y hermanas,
- Guachi 
February 23rd, 2010