Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound Lucky 7 There is no doubt that the most popular band in Puerto Rico and South America during the 1970s was Roberto Roenas Apollo Sound. Lucky 7 was Roenas seventh effort with Fania International Records, following his discreet debut as leader of Los Magatones, and a fruitful career as the bongo player for Rafael Cortijos Combo and l8ter, Rafael Ithiers El Gran Combo. With Lucky 7 Roena cemented his popularity at the continental level, thanks to the arrangement of an innovative song that broke the mold of the irresistible salsa sound institutionalized in New York during the 70s. Mi Desengano by Julio Merced and Pucho Sorfront. In 1976, the Apollo Sound and its new vocalist, Papo Sanchez, a proud native of Hatillo, Puerto Rico, rose to the top of the charts with the nostalgic song of unrequited love. In the arrangement, trombonist Julio Merced himself incorporated the rhythm of the samba into this sort of a salsa romantica style that infused with bossa nova, jazz, and bomba. The success of Mi Desengano inspired many to reinvent their salsa sound and formula, producing more elaborate, harmonically sophisticated arrangements, such as those Marty Sheller created for Willie Colon in New York. In addition to being the foundation for Papo Sanchezs spectacular debut, Lucky 7 boasted the arrangements and compositions of such veteran musicians as trumpeters Luis Perico Ortiz and Elias Lopes, pianist Papo Lucca, and Jorge Millet, and the king of the bass, Bobby Valentin. The album starts off with the guaguanco Que Me Castigue Dios, sung by Sammy Gonzalez, a star vocalist of the Apollo Sound until La 8va Maravilla, the bands next album. On Que Me Castigue Dios we hear then newcomer Ruben Blades reciting verses at the end that would earn him the reputation of feminist organizations today, but that in 1976 were applauded by the machista culture of the industry. Lucky 7 also satisfied the demands of the dancing community. Although many may have crossed paths dancing to the samba number Mi Desengano and the fusion of Que Me Castigue Dios, the meringue hit La Mala Mana, the pachanga/cumbia tune Estas Equivocada. Arsenio Rodriguezs composition A Bailar Mi Bomba, and the guaguanco hits Me Fugue A La Candela, La Hija De La Vecina and Fea gratified the couples overflowing out of dance clubs such as Rancho Luna, El Moroco and El Carretero. There is no doubt the the best incarnation of the Apollo Sounds orchestra was the one that played on Lucky 7, flutist Miguel Rodriguez, trumpeter Mario Cora, timbal player Cuqui Santos, conga player Papo Clemente, and trombonist Julio Merced, who l8ter abandon the band along with Papo Sanchez to form Salsa Fever. Three decades after its release, the album is a true classic. Enjoy! Side A 1. Que Me Castigue Dios * 2. A Bailar Mi Bomba ** 3. Te Voy A Tratar *** 4. Estas Equivocada **** 5. Fea ** Side B 1. Mi Desengano ***** 2. La Hija De Lola ****** 3. Hoy Mi Dia Triste *** 4. La Mala Mana ******* 5. Me Fugue A La Candela **** Personnel: Roberto Roena: Leader, Bongo, Cowbell, Quinto, Guiro Mario Cora Alvarez: Trumpet Dario Morales: Trumpet Fernando Marcano: Trumpet, Flugelhorn Miguel Rodriguez: Tenor Saxophone, Flute Julio Merced: Trombone Carlos Rodriguez: Acoustic Grand a Piano Pucho Sorfront: Ampeg Baby Bass Papo Clemente: Congas Cuqui Santos: Timbales Sammy Gonzalez: Maracas Lead Vocals: Sammy Gonzalez Papo Sanchez Coro: Justo Betancourt Paquito Guzman Mario Cora Alvarez Special Invited Guest Stars: Elliot Randall: Electric Guitar, Trap Drums Ruben Blades: Ending Vocals (A1) Luis Perico Ortiz: Trumpet Solo (A1) Johnny Pacheco: Tambora (B4) Antonio Mateo: Guira (B4) Musical Arrangements by: Luis Perico Ortiz * Papo Lucca ** Elias Lopes *** Jorge Millet **** Julio Merced ***** Bobby Valentin ****** Chokie Acosta ******* Produced by: Roberto Roena Executive Producer: Jerry Masucci Musical Director: Julio Merced Album Cover & Liner Photos: Lee Marshall Album Cover Design: Ron Levine Recording Enginneers: Jon Fausty Jonathan Castro Recorded @: Good Vibrations Sound Studios, NYC Echo Sound Corp., Puerto Rico INTERNATIONAL RECORDS, 1976 A FANIA RECORDS PRODUCTIONS
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:43:36 +0000