Actually, writing about this record is a bit of a sentimental moment for me as it brings back memories of the first few weeks of when I first heard real salsa music. I had just come home from my first class and had bought some CDs from my Colombian dance teacher (16 exitos de Oro by Celia Cruz and Sonora Matancera). This was in 1998, and I went online to get any background on the genre. One of the first clips I found was from this guy called Ricardo Ray and the track was ‘Guaguanco in Jazz’.

It was an instant favorite! I kept hearing it again and again. It was just so much better than the other examples of salsa that I found (think Jerry Rivera and Son By 4 etc).
Hearing this made me really curious what salsa and latin music really was and I started to look for more. And more… and more..! I think because of hearing that song at that time I actually got into salsa, if I hadn’t, I might have dismissed salsa as cheesy music but fun dance, nothing more

Life is interesting that way and it may be a short moment that changes a whole life…

• Guaguanco in Jazz – Ricardo Ray

Fast forward to early 2010 and lots of great salsa later and I come across this record from the West Indies with a track called Cuacuanco in Jazz. As I love the caribbean island flavors of salsa, they are so freshly different, I had to hear this.

And oh boy, was I floored! It has an incredible ‘sound’ with hammond organ and a pure bliss solo on that as well. If we ever talk about a track that gives goose bumps, this one did it for sure

I collect a good bunch of west indies records and it is so charming to see them name songs and styles. It all is phonetically correct, but the spelling is always “creative” at best. Maybe they only got to hear this music through the radio? or a few friends had records, but the musicians themselves did not? Who knows, but it is common to see Guaguanco labeled as ‘Guaranco’ and in this case ‘Cuacuanco’ or ‘Guacuanco’ (they did it differently on the back cover and the record label!)

The Typical Combo comes from Guadeloupe and this album has Les Maxel’s doing side A and Typical Combo doing side B. The band is directed by Harry Simonet and consists of most of the Simonet family. The album was issued on the Disques Debs label.

OK, I’ve kept you waiting long enough! Here is the sound clip:

• Cuacuanco in Jazz – Typical Combo

The cast:

Harry Simonet: Director and alto sax
Christian Simonet: Tenor Sax
Georges Simonet: Organ
Astasie Philogene: Trumpet
Edgar Mahomet: Trumpet
Leo Pommier: Guitar
Max Cornely: Bass
Felicite Avinel: Timbales
Serge Yeye: Conga
Hiver Abidos: Guiro and Coro
Georges Plonquitte: Vocals

Full album title: Ce Soir Grand Bal de L’A.J.S. avec Les Maxel’s et le Typical Combo

Side A (Les Maxel’s):
1. Carnaval 1972
2. Ni Longtemps Ou Po Ko Vine A Case
3. Ganhae
4. Cette Fille
5. Mother

Side B (Typical Combo):
1. Femme A Present
2. Angueina
3. Reve D’Amour
4. Cuacuanco in Jazz
5. Mouiller Calecon

I’m coming to New York to dj (and social dance!) at this event from June 16th – 19th. I’m truly excited to be part of this event. It will be a weekend to remember, for sure.

Organizer Angel Ortiz has been around the Salsa block since long before Salsa Congress’es existed and he knows what he wants an event like this to be.

I’m excited and looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor and will make sure to bring all my best music for this event!

See you in June, New York City, NYC Salsa Weekend
- Guachi