Ray Barretto - Ritmo Sabroso

I don't cover enough Salsa and Latin Boogaloo on this site. At least not as much as I would really like. I wish this blog could be a full time job, but it doesn't pay the bills. Also, writing is a funny thing, if you're not feeling it, then it can be hard to put it to paper. So getting into the spirit of sharing music for me..EASY, getting around to writing a post.. a little more WORK sometimes.

So, in my efforts to post some more 'Latin' I'm offering this fine Ray Barretto tune. It's the flip side of 'El Watusi' which was pinnacle for me and my paths into 'Latin Soul' back in the day of all the Charley 'Caliente' reissues that I got into. It's interesting to me that was so long ago now, and the young cats I see into 'Latin' rare groove are so much more evolved and deeper than me. The game, just like with everything else it seems, has advance and evolved. And, it was a young cat Cameron Thompson who brought my attention to this flip side. He's a new seller at the record shop and has brought in a ton of tasty Latin, Cumbia, Salsa and treats from all over the globe.

It's crazy to me to think these records (We Got Latin Soul Vol 1-3) were back in 1987-88. I was way into this sound back when they first came out. In fact originally all I had was the compilations. It was a bit later that I started to surface the originals. And, got turned on many others through my friend and record dealer Peter (Pete da Greek), that story will flower out of me at some point here. Because Pete had amazing stories and pictures of New York Salsa scene during that time period. Even crazier for me to see the SPEED label stuff come out as re-issues. Man, those LP's were like holy grails..I suppose they still are. But, enough of my walk down memory lane.

I got to meet the great Ray Barretto and see him perform at Yoshi's in Oakland back in the late 80's or early 90's. He was another of those artist who while signing my copy of one of his records gave me that completely puzzled look as if I was from another planet. This was another example of me bringing some ancient relic of album art to his attention. Something that, back then wasn't as much yet a common occurrence. I forget which LP cover it was, and right now I wish I knew, or rather knew where it was. Back when Yoshi's was on Claremont Ave., it was really easy to meet and hang with the artists in the lounge upstairs. It's funny I'm actually on my way to the new Yoshi's in Jack London Square this evening, but we'll talk about that later.
Enjoy this nice, short and beautiful salsa from one of the true masters.

Ray Barretto - Ritmo Sabroso

Jorge Ben - Oba La Vem Ela

Jorge is easily the godfather of Brazilian music in my eyes. And, judging from world wide respect he's endeared very highly amongst heads both high and low. I have a funny story about a Jorge record that I had at one time and somehow let go. After that I vowed never to sell a single record in my collection unless I had a double. It was the LP with the famous soccer song he did called Umbabarauma. Which is also known as Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma). It might seem insane now, but at the dysfunctional age of 15 or 16 I hadn't a clue. World music was light years out of my reach. I think even at the time I didn't know if the group was called Africa Brazil or what. I remember thinking it was kinda funky and 'kinda' cool, but not enough to keep it. Honestly I cant remember at the moment what I did with it, whether I sold it, trashed it, or handed it over to someone else. There is also a chance it's still buried somewhere in the poorly organized and shite filled collection. Trust me I have a load of garbage records too. Much too many. But, several years after 'misplacing' it brought be great sorrow to know I had let it slip through my fingers. As I became more and more interested in Latin, Brazilian, and rare groove of all sorts, I realized what a mistake I had made. It was this constant reminder the deeper I went into collecting what a giant flub I had made. It was always in the back of my mind as the one record I faintly remember really wanting, but as times could even muster who the heck the artist even was. Of course finding this notorious LP (if only to me) later in life was straight euphoria, it naturally turned out to be dope on dope throughout the album. As we all know now.
I was haunted by a chorus to a world groove song (or so I thought) that had some faint distant chant like Xica da Silva.

This is the album that I discarded and then haunted me for years

Many years later of course I went through a huge Jorge Ben phase and got re-introduced to Jorge and many other fantastic Brazilian artists. But, Jorge for me was always this mystical and elegantly dreamy artist that especially peaked my interests. His music really transported me somewhere else. The song we're featuring today is from an earlier LP than Africa Brasil but, a prime example of his extraordinary talent. Even more importantly a sample of how his music can be a lush and psychedelic dreamscape. Enter into 'Oba La Vem Ela' and you're floating atop the jungle and whisking through it on some magic carpet mushroom ride. Of course i can't stop there and have to include the masterful 'O Telephone' song from this same incredible 'Forca Bruta' album as well. Such a crazy mix of pop and folk. Strings and African instruments. Deep and introspective sounds like a sick emo indie kid wining and crying, yet one who's dancing on balconies and strutting through town at Carnaval at the same time. I 'still' don't know what Jorge or any of these fine Brazilian artists are actually singing about, but it's almost more fantastic to imagine it on your own.
So, I gotta post both of these...Its just too tempting to not do it. Even if if does yield another copyright complaint against us. Two of the best Brazilian songs on the planet. But, fortunately there's worlds more.

Jorge Ben - Oba La Vem Ela
Jorge Ben - O Telefone Tocou Novamente

Madeline Bell - That's What Friends Are For

Copped this the other day and was surprised I had never had an original of it before. I'd had the Glucklich comped version and of course nabbed the Jazzman re-issue, but somehow never picked up this LP. It reminds me of the broader kind of 'world' inspired rare groove stuff I used to play, and in fact I'm retreading over some more territory in the Brazilian area lately. This jam is light and fluffy and reminiscent of carnival. Madeline holds it all down with a beautiful sophistication and exquisite class. The rhythms and melodies are Latin, Brazilian, Cuban and African. If it's a 'world' sounding groove, then fine. But, it is indeed a groove of 'world class' brilliance.

Madeline is originally from Newark, New Jersey. Like many soul singers she started in the church. She went on to great prominence in gospel with The Glovertones and Alex Bradford Singers. She was a center piece in the notorious rock/pop group Blue Mink. Blue Mink was an incredible diverse group musically with a racially mixed front force of two singers that might have been inspired by groups like Chicago.



Her solo LP's are highly sought after, and of the snippets I've heard, the early ones are particularly amazing. Although, I still haven't tracked them down yet either. She had the chance to record with the esteemed Wadsworth and Mansfield team. She churned out some monster soul tunes and a few northern floor burners. Just leaves more room for us to spotlight her career for future posts. What an incredible voice! SIDENOTE: I hope you'll enjoy our new 'old magazine' style layout...peep the club picture in this above YouTube clip..you'll also see the ad from an old Blues and Soul Magazine for 'The Cats Whiskers' club.





She's still active today and performing. She made most of her moves in Europe and can't be denied her place in soul history. Even Dusty Springfield sang backing vocals for HER, and became president of her fan club. Word. Madeline Bell part uno. More to come.



Madeline Bell - That's What Friends Are For