Briljante mix van descarga, salsa, latin-jazz en Afro-Cubaanse ritmes, losjes opgenomen in de kelder van broers Jerry + Andy Gonzalex (New York) die poosje later met Manny Oquendo de kern zouden vormen van het even zo waanzinnig Conjunto Libre. Dit is een van dé Nuyoricuan albums ever: voor de collectioneur, liefhebber, archivaris, voor iedereen met een open-mind wat betreft latin muziek.
This release contains the superlative debut album Concepts in Unity, by the legendary Grupo Folklórico y Experimental Nuevayorquino. The 16-piece band was composed of the finest New York Puerto Rican & Cuban musicians, who combined their own traditional music with the Latin sounds heard on the streets of N.Y.C.
Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros (tp), Reinaldo Jorge, José Rodrigues (tb), Gonzalo Fernández (fl & ts), Oscar Hernández (p), Nelson González (tres, g), Andy González (b), Virgilio Martí (d, vcl), Manuel “Manny” Oquendo, Milton Cardona, Jerry González, Gene Golden, Frankie Rodríguez (perc), Henny Álvarez, Willie García, Carlos “Caíto” Diaz (vcl). Recorded at CBS Studios, New York, April 7 & 10, 1975. Total time: 60:42
1. Cuba Linda (9:09)
2. Choco`s Guajira (6:14)
3. Carmen La Ronca 6:58)
4. Canto Asoyin (4:25)
5. Canto Ebioso (3:03)
6. A Papá Y Mamá (7:51)
7. Iya Modupue (8:30)
8. Anabacoa (6:24)
9. Adelaida (4:56)
10. Luz Delia (3:06)
An absolute classic, virtually impossible to find in its original double LP format (both LPs make up this single CD). Some consider these sessions, which are some of the finest examples of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican artistry, to be the embryo of Conjunto Libre. Manny Oquendo, Andy and Jerry Gonzalez, all Libre veterans, are central to this production... It`s thrilling, it`s lovely, and it`s a must-have.
This is an absolute must. This 1975 release is important in many ways. It was the first Latin recording ever to be reviewed by `Down Beat` magazine (the #1 jazz periodical), which thus recognized the music as an art form to be taken seriously. It also showcased the reaffirmation of a group of New York based Latino musicians to preserving the deep roots of the culture. We also get to hear the embryonic beginnings of the careers of Manny Oquendo & Libre, Dave Valentin, Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band, as well as folk legends like `Chocolate` and the late Virgilio Marti. Produced by the ubiquitous Rene Lopez and Andy Kaufman, this recording oozes soul and sabor
These legendary musicians took Salsa`s Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican roots to the forefront in a way no other artist had ever done previously. Guaguancos, rumbas, descargas and other Afro-Cuban-derived rhythms are all included here. "Cuba Linda", "Choco`s Guajira", "Anabacoa" and "Iya Modupue" are glorious masterpieces yet to be equalled. Manny Oquendo, Jerry Gonzalez and Andy Gonzalez (and some other musicians featured here) would go on to form the equally-superb Conjunto Libre several years after recording this masterpiece. INDISPENSABLE!!!
This album stands alone in the Salsa field because of the excellent mixture of Jazz, Puerto Rican, and Cuban rhythms, with Africa being the "abuelo" (grandfather), of them all. The opening cut, (Cuba Linda), will force you to fasten your salsa seatbelt and go along for one of the best musical rides of your life. It opens with the rumberos jammin` into the main melody, with the lead singer setting you up for what comes next. Chocolate`s trumpet takes over, while, at the same time, Manny Oquendo`s timbale cowbells go into overdrive, launching the musicians into high gear. The jam goes on until it reaches it`s glorious conclusion.
The recordings came out of jam sessions held in Andy and Jerry Gonzalez’s basement in the Bronx, and they have that spirit to them: open, loose, with a lot of space for supremely talented musicians to do their thing.
