El Gran Combo
...de Siempre (Remastered Edition!)
CD
(VCM 002),
Released 1963;
Re-Issued 2008
Editor's Pick:
I love the way Latin albums from the 50s and 60s sound: fun, muscular, gritty. The arrangements are different than today, and there is something that feels more honest and connected to the roots in the way the vocalists carry themselves. This is definitely true for El Gran Combo in the early period when it was emerging from the ashes of Cortijo’s Combo, still sounding a lot like its predecessor, with the distinctive falsetto coro of sax player Eddie Pérez “La Bala,” not to mention the patented double sax section that allowed it to play merengues and mambos, and of course the essential bomba and plena rhythms that tied the group to its Afro-Boricua origins. This record has the original version of “Yo Soy La Muerte” as well as the interesting ‘oriza’ tune, “Te Besé En El Carnaval,” which sports a fabulous brass riff with an exciting interplay between the instruments. Andy Montañez is as incredible as ever, especially on the mile-a-minute tongue twister, “La Mafafa.” I am always intrigued with the fact that EGC (and Cortijo’s Combo) covered the odd calypso, pointing out a musical connection between Trinidad and Puerto Rico that is historically documented now but may have been little known at the time. The folks at Cartagena Entertainment have done their best with the sound, and the packaging is a lot nicer than most reissues.
Highly recommended. (Pablo Yglesias, 2009-01-01)
Song titles include:
A La Loma De Belen
El Peluquero
Cosas De La Vida
Sobina
Merengue Melao
La Reina Isabel
La Muerte
El Perico
Cabeza De Hacha
Te Bese En El Carnaval
La Mafafa
Balimena
Musicians include:
Rafael Ithier Director & piano
Pellin Rodriguez Cantante & coro
Andy Montañez Cantante & coro
Roberto Roena Bongó & campana
Eddie Pérez "La Bala" Saxo & coro
Hector Santos Saxo
Elias Lopez Trompeta
Victor Perez Trompeta
Milton Correa Timbal
Martin Quiñones Conga
Miguel Cruz Bajo
Category: Dance Traditions
=> Tropical Dance: Various
=> Puerto Rico
Shipping Value: 1
ORDER TL-18852.10 CD $13.98
|
