Willie Colón
El Malo Vol. II: Prisioneros Del Mambo
CD
(Lone Wolf 804),
Released 2008;
Editor's Pick:
What a long, wild ride it has been for William Anthony Colón Román. Born 58 years ago in the Bronx, he cut his first record as a teenager and showed a lot of promise from his first live performances and recording sessions. Having recorded albums of historic significance with vocalists like Hector lavoe, Rubén Blades, and Celia Cruz over the ensuing years and becoming somewhat of a legend in his own time, Colón went “solo” and began to sing on his own. More recently, he has gone into politics, public office, and humanitarian and cultural work. Though he has made plenty of live appearances since his last album in 1997, many fans were wondering if he had officially retired from recording albums forever. Much to our good fortune, Colón has decided to get busy again in the studio, coming full circle with El Malo II, avoiding slick commercial pop salsa, making this his best effort in decades, full of diverse cinematic sounds, spicy beats, heartfelt lyrics that tell stories, and a good dollop of humor as well. There are the bombas and plenas that have always been a part of his repertoire, plenty of righteous trombones that carry the traditions of Mon Rivera and La Perfecta, and of course the hard Nuyorican salsa “with heart” that Colon and his crew helped create all those years ago. But just like during the 70s, Colón is not afraid to experiment, because he always has one ear to the street: there are synthesizers, reggaeton beats, and rap vocals, so beware if you are a purist (I am not). Over the years Colón’s voice has matured, and he sings here with feeling and verve. Thankfully he has surrounded himself with top-notch musicians and arrangers, so the entire project carries weight and hits with impact. No doubt having complete control and putting out the album himself aided Colón in making sure his vision for El Malo II stayed intact and didn’t turn out all corporate sounding, so congratulations are in order. His best cuts meld biting social commentary with comic wit: “Cuando Me Muera,” “La Mala Situación,” “El Brujo,” and “Bongó.” My only request: don’t let this be your last, Willie! Highly Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias, 2008-12-20)
Song titles include:
Intro Con Polito 2:12
El Brujo 5:20
Narcomula 6:42
Corazón Partido 5:37
Hector Lavoe Medley 13.:48
Amor De Internet 4:19
Pesadilla En El Club Riviera 2:41
Mucha Leña Pa'l Fuego 3:52
Suite Magia Blanca 8:06
Cuando Me Muera 6:02
La Mala Situación 6:00
Bongó 4:43
Magia Blanca (Club Mix) 1:17
Musicians include:
Willie Colón Trmbone, vocals, coro
Bobby Allende, Luisito Quintero, Eric Velez Timbales, congas
Milton Cardona Coro
Johanna Castañeda, Carlitos Soto Coro
Oscar Chumbiray, Ruben Rodriguez, Jose Tavares Bass
Ray Colón Bongo, percussion
Lucho Cueto Piano
José Davila Tuba
Brian Duinne Drums
William Duvall, Claudette Sierra Coro
Julio Fernandez Guitars
Nelson Gonzalez Coro
Quique Gonzalez, Alex Tavaras Coro
Ricky Gonzalez Piano
Billy Heller Piano
Dave Lavender Guitar
José Mangual Jr. Coro
Ozzie Melendez Trombone, coro, bass, drum, string & synth
Edgardo Miranda Cuatro
Juan Renta, John Scarpulla Sax
Category: Salsa/Son
=> Salsa
Shipping Value: 1
ORDER TL-23367.10 CD $14.98
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