The Boogaloo Sounds of NYC’s 60s & 70s Latin Clubs
Being a drummer and bass player, I gravitate towards the foundation of a song - the groove, percussion, and how instruments weave in and out of “the pocket”, be it the short offbeat guitar skanks heard in reggae or the syncopated piano stabs heard in Latin music. That’s what drew me to reggae - the lock-step agreement of groove between the bassist and drummer that allows the rest of the band, organ, vocals, guitars, etc, to either support the core riddim or thread around it, adding depth and melody. The same goes for funk, afrofunk, and other similar genres. They all have related musical elements - tight syncopated grooves, a throng of glorious percussion, and horn combos that add electric energy that elevates and excites you.
There was a period in the 60s & 70s that set New York on fire, emanating from Spanish Harlem, The Bronx, and Lower East Side, and labels like Fania Records - boogaloo (bugalú). We’ve all heard the style and artists at some point, but what is boogaloo? I had to look it up myself, and here’s the definition.
“Boogaloo was created by young Puerto Rican and African American musicians in New York City who mixed the music they heard on the radio, like soul and R&B, with Latin styles like mambo and son”.
This is part one, so I invite you to use the comment section to share some of your favourites for part two in the future.
PLAYLIST
Eddie Palmieri – Vámonos Pa’l Monte
Noro Morales – Vitamina
Cal Tjader; Eddie Palmieri – Bamboléate
New Swing Sextet – Mira Mama
Mongo Santamaria; La Lupe – Montuneando – Remastered
Johnny Colon – Mayenlle
Boogaloo Assassins – Mi Jeva
Ray Barretto – Mi Ritmo Te Llama
Pete Rodriguez – I Like It Like That
Joe Cuba Sextet – Que Son Uno
Louie Ramirez – Cooking With Ali
Joey Pastrana and His Orchestra – Orquesta Pastrana
Orquesta La Moderna of New York – Picadillo
Tito Puente – Salsa y Sabor
Colombia