Was Aragon really the greatest charanga?

[charafiend]

They often get the honor of being the most innovative charanga, but under what rubric? Fajardo's charanga was just as or more innovating and versatile. Orquesta de Neno Gonzalez had as good of a run as Aragon with even better flute improvisations. Take a look for yourself.

 

[DJ Yuca]

I prefer the US charangas. Mongo and Barretto both had brilliant charanga orchestras in the early 60s. In the 70s charanga was massive again in NY - perhaps Orquesta Broadway were the best. I don't like all their stuff but Pasaporte is an incredible album.

I do like Aragón and other Cuban charangas too of course, and they will always have the kudos of being the originators.

 

[DJ Yuca]

Who the greatest ever charanga orchestra was I have no idea but I will say that although Tito Rodríguez only ever did one charanga recording - the album Charanga, pachanga - it's an outstanding album and deserves a mention.

I wouldn't say charanga is my favourite ensemble but I do love it done well. Flutes and violins are both superb instruments and can sound amazing when used in son/mambo/salsa/Latin jazz.

 

[charafiend]

Who the greatest ever charanga orchestra was I have no idea but I will say that although Tito Rodríguez only ever did one charanga recording - the album Charanga, pachanga - it's an outstanding album and deserves a mention.

I wouldn't say charanga is my favourite ensemble but I do love it done well. Flutes and violins are both superb instruments and can sound amazing when used in son/mambo/salsa/Latin jazz.

Here is the full album. This isn't a standard charanga. You can hear brass instruments, an insult to the integrity of a charanga.

But hey. It sounds good.

 

[DJ Yuca]

Here is the full album. This isn't a standard charanga. You can hear brass instruments, an insult to the integrity of a charanga.

But hey. It sounds good.

Ha exactly. To innovate is never intrinsically insulting, and I doubt the inventors and pioneers of the charanga were offended.

 

[DJ Yuca]

My other favourite charangas from the early to mid 60s - Mongo's and Barretto's - also had plenty of brass as I recall. The results were also incredible.

 

[charafiend]

Ha exactly. To innovate is never intrinsically insulting, and I doubt the inventors and pioneers of the charanga were offended.

In fact, charangas initially included brass instruments. It wasn't until the 1920s that the flute became the wind instrument of choice.

To be honest, the saxophone is actually a good alternative to the flute. There are Mexican charangas that have saxophones in the lineup.

 

[salsim]

In fact, charangas initially included brass instruments. It wasn't until the 1920s that the flute became the wind instrument of choice.

To be honest, the saxophone is actually a good alternative to the flute. There are Mexican charangas that have saxophones in the lineup.

nice Salsa