El Caobo
07-03-2007, 03:40 AM
Ray Rodríguez y Swing Sabroso
Baila con swing sabroso
http://cdbaby.name/r/a/rayrodriguez.jpg
Label: World Stage Recordings - 2007
This CD, Baila con swing sabroso; which contains that sought-after, unique sound of salsa dura at its best, is the debut release on multi-talented saxophonist, composer and bandleader, Ray Rodríguez' own label, World Stage Recordings.
For this recording, Swing Sabroso recruited the assistance of world renown arrangers, Oscar Hernández, Paquito Pastor and Willie Ruiz. They also counted on the collaboration of accomplished invited guest musicians such as Chino Núñez, Dave Valentín, Ray Vega, Pequeño Johnny and others.
From the opening notes of the first track, Lo que quiero es cantar, penned and sung by sonero Gilberto Vélez, Jr. and chimed in by an excellent brass section with Ray Rodríguez (saxophone), Eddie Múñoz (trumpet) and Khadaly Kahn (trombone), you fully appreciate that you are listening to music that is dedicated to the true salsero; there is nothing insipid or monga about this recording!
Since I am an admitted champion of moderate tempo salsa that is more suited for the dancer, of the salsa tracks on this CD, Lo que quiero es cantar is my favorite. Yet, I must admit that I found it very difficult to select a favorite because the song, Barretto Medley certainly has that vacilón that I love and in fact was the first song that I opted to play on my radio program.
It is interesting to note that Barretto Medley had not originally been planned for this CD. However, in the middle of recording this CD, the great conguero, Ray Barretto, who had undergone heart bypass surgery in January 2006, died on February 17th. Ray Rodríguez decided to honor his memory with this medley of three songs from various stages in Barretto's fabulous career.
Also, competing for the honor of the hottest track on the CD is the faster paced title track, Baila con swing sabroso. Also, worthy of an honorable mention is Swing Sabroso's rendition of You're My Everything; which packs much more energy than Johnny Ray's cover of the same song. It is refreshing to have a CD with so many great salsa tracks to choose from!
However, this CD contains more than just salsa. There's an excellent cha-cha-chá track titled Ay qué frío, that really swings and is for the dancer and a bolero titled Amar y vivir!
So, my fellow salsero, it is with the utmost of sincerity that I highly recommend this CD. It has everything that a salsero looks for in this music that we love: salsa... ¡y no hay más que desear!
Band Members:
Ray Rodríguez: Leader, Baritone Saxophone, Flute
Gilberto Vélez, Jr.: Singer
Eddie Muñoz: Trumpet
Khadaly Kahn: Trombone
Miguel Pérez: Piano
Luis Moreno: Bass
Justino Vargas: Congas
Carmelo "Papote" Ríos: Timbales
Curtis Rodríguez: Bongós
Guests:
Chino Núñez: Timbales, Bongós (Song for TP and Barretto Medley)
Harry Adorno: Timbales
Pequeño Johnny: Congas
Jorge Gonzáles: Bongós
Raúl Agraz: Trumpet
Joe Fieldler: Trombone
Edwin Sánchez: Piano
Héctor "Máximo" Rodríguez: Bass
Kevin Rodríguez: Piano
Ray Vega: Tumpet solo (Song for TP)
Carl Corwin: Baritone Saxophone
Manny Mieles: Chorus
Willie Ruiz: Chorus
Manny Pacheco: Acoutstic Guitar (Amar y vivr)
Dave Valentín: Flute (Ay qué frío)
Respectfully submitted,
El Caobo
Baila con swing sabroso
http://cdbaby.name/r/a/rayrodriguez.jpg
Label: World Stage Recordings - 2007
This CD, Baila con swing sabroso; which contains that sought-after, unique sound of salsa dura at its best, is the debut release on multi-talented saxophonist, composer and bandleader, Ray Rodríguez' own label, World Stage Recordings.
For this recording, Swing Sabroso recruited the assistance of world renown arrangers, Oscar Hernández, Paquito Pastor and Willie Ruiz. They also counted on the collaboration of accomplished invited guest musicians such as Chino Núñez, Dave Valentín, Ray Vega, Pequeño Johnny and others.
From the opening notes of the first track, Lo que quiero es cantar, penned and sung by sonero Gilberto Vélez, Jr. and chimed in by an excellent brass section with Ray Rodríguez (saxophone), Eddie Múñoz (trumpet) and Khadaly Kahn (trombone), you fully appreciate that you are listening to music that is dedicated to the true salsero; there is nothing insipid or monga about this recording!
Since I am an admitted champion of moderate tempo salsa that is more suited for the dancer, of the salsa tracks on this CD, Lo que quiero es cantar is my favorite. Yet, I must admit that I found it very difficult to select a favorite because the song, Barretto Medley certainly has that vacilón that I love and in fact was the first song that I opted to play on my radio program.
It is interesting to note that Barretto Medley had not originally been planned for this CD. However, in the middle of recording this CD, the great conguero, Ray Barretto, who had undergone heart bypass surgery in January 2006, died on February 17th. Ray Rodríguez decided to honor his memory with this medley of three songs from various stages in Barretto's fabulous career.
Also, competing for the honor of the hottest track on the CD is the faster paced title track, Baila con swing sabroso. Also, worthy of an honorable mention is Swing Sabroso's rendition of You're My Everything; which packs much more energy than Johnny Ray's cover of the same song. It is refreshing to have a CD with so many great salsa tracks to choose from!
However, this CD contains more than just salsa. There's an excellent cha-cha-chá track titled Ay qué frío, that really swings and is for the dancer and a bolero titled Amar y vivir!
So, my fellow salsero, it is with the utmost of sincerity that I highly recommend this CD. It has everything that a salsero looks for in this music that we love: salsa... ¡y no hay más que desear!
Band Members:
Ray Rodríguez: Leader, Baritone Saxophone, Flute
Gilberto Vélez, Jr.: Singer
Eddie Muñoz: Trumpet
Khadaly Kahn: Trombone
Miguel Pérez: Piano
Luis Moreno: Bass
Justino Vargas: Congas
Carmelo "Papote" Ríos: Timbales
Curtis Rodríguez: Bongós
Guests:
Chino Núñez: Timbales, Bongós (Song for TP and Barretto Medley)
Harry Adorno: Timbales
Pequeño Johnny: Congas
Jorge Gonzáles: Bongós
Raúl Agraz: Trumpet
Joe Fieldler: Trombone
Edwin Sánchez: Piano
Héctor "Máximo" Rodríguez: Bass
Kevin Rodríguez: Piano
Ray Vega: Tumpet solo (Song for TP)
Carl Corwin: Baritone Saxophone
Manny Mieles: Chorus
Willie Ruiz: Chorus
Manny Pacheco: Acoutstic Guitar (Amar y vivr)
Dave Valentín: Flute (Ay qué frío)
Respectfully submitted,
El Caobo