Pacheco Y Melon Llego Melon Vaya Records (VS-70) The prolific discography of legendary bandleader and Fania Records co-founder Johnny Pacheco is usually associated with his two favorite singers, Celia Cruz and Pete El Conde Rodriguez. It was with Celia Cruz and Pete El Conde Rodriguez that he enjoyed his biggest hits. But Pacheco has always been unusually eclectic, a man in love with all kinds of music, willing to experiment restlessly by working in a variety of settings. He recorded albums with veteran flutist Jose Fajardo, former Sonora Matancera vocalist Celio Gonzalez, and also with one Luis Angel Silva Nava, aka Melon, the Mexican sonero who gained worldwide recognition as half of the duo Lobo y Melon. Formed in 1958 by Silva and Carlos Daniel Navarro Pulido, aka Lobo, Lobo y Melon encapsulated the huge influence that Afro-Caribbean music had on Mexican popular culture. Cuban artists like Perez Prado and La Sonora Matancera were extremely successful in Mexico, and Latin genres like the mambo and the cha cha cha quickly assimilated by local musicians. The result was a sweeter sound, a beguiling combination of Afro-Cuban fervor and infectious pop (one of Mexicos most venerated orchestras, the endearing Sonora Santanera represents this tropi-pop mystique in all its glory.) The first LP by Lobo y Melon contained the song Amalia Batista, a huge hit which eventually gained them fame outside of Mexico, with frequent performances all over the U.S. Unfortunately, the duo would end its partnership over creative differences --- a decision that Melon would eventually regret. In 1971, following a Los Angeles tour, they simply said goodbye to each other @ the Mexico City airport. Lobo y Melon had ceased to exist. Johnny Pacheco met Melon in 1964, when the Mexican duo performed @ the Palladium for the first time. They encountered each other again in 1975, when members of the Fania All Stars were in Los Angeles recording the California Jam sessions, as the Fania All Stars were in a deal with Columbia Records at that time. Recognizing Melons expressiveness as a sonero, Pacheco invited him to record with him in New York. Llego Melon was an instant hit when it was released in 1977. Listening to this classic album, it is easy to understand why. The album opens with Don Toribio Carambola, a song popularized by Catanlan singer/songwriter Peret, pioneer of the genre known as rumba flamenca. Pachecos inventive arrangements boast the kind irresistible nasal coros that define so many of his recordings. It also demonstrates how the salsa explosion of the 70s was able to assimilate a dizzying variety of styles, from rumba flamenca and bossa nova to tango and funk, into its own, unique vision. In 1995 in a interview with Marry McMasters, Melon said that it took short time to record the nine tracks of this album. He shines on two slow numbers, the velvety Esto Si Se Llama Querer and the plaintive Nuestra Cita, demonstrating his versatility as a performer. A combination by Melon himself. Quiero Llegar A Puerto Rico is notable for its fusion of old fashioned Cuban conjunto sensibility with a charming intro of doo-wop styled vocals. But the records tour de force is the eight-minute long closing track Solo Estoy, an extended jam boosted by Pachecos acrobatic flute soloing, and Luis Perico Ortiz on flugelhorn, and swinging coros and an implacable piano tumbao courtesy of Sonny Bravo. Llego Melon, an excellent recording match with the feeling of freshness and creative innovation generated in classic album format. Enjoy! Side A 1. Don Toribio Carambola 2. Pacheco Y Su Tumbao 3. Esto Si Es Querer 4. Quiero Llegar A Puerto Rico 5. Veracruz Side B 1. Compay Anton 2. Jicamo Y Salsa 3. Nuestra Cita 4. Solo Estoy Personnel: Johnny Pacheco: Leader, Flute, Guiro, Quinto (B2) Sonny Bravo: Acoustic Grand Piano Eddie Gua Gua Rivera: Ampeg Baby Bass Luis Perico Ortiz: Trumpet, Flugelhorn Hector Bomberito Zarzuela: Trumpet Johnny Dandy Rodriguez: Conga Luis Mangual: Bongo, Cowbell Hector Casanova: Maracas Charlie Rodriguez: Tres Harry Viggiano: Tres Lead Vocals: Luis Angel Silvia Nave Melon Coro: Johnny Pacheco Ramon Rodriguez Musical Arrangements by: Luis Perico Ortiz Sonny Bravo Edwin Rodriguez Johnny Pacheco Produced by: Johnny Pacheco Executive Producer: Jerry Masucci Recording Director: Johnny Pacheco Album Cover Photo: Lee Marshall Album Cover Design: Ron Levine Recording Engineers: Jon Fausty Irv Greenbaum Recorded @: La Tierra Sound Studios, NYC VAYA RECORDS, 1977 A FANIA RECORDS PRODUCTION
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 01:00:57 +0000
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