Welcome to the elWatusi eNewsletter Nº 4 for July 6, 2010. We invite you to be even more involved... • become a fan on Facebook • follow us on Twitter • share us with friends • bookmark our blog • buy some great music, too!


This week we have some terrific material, beginning with a batch of classic reissues from Cotique, Tico, West Side and Mardi Gras ...with a much appreciated release of the Bobby Paunetto vibes project, El Sonido Moderno. Look out, also, for that first Ocho release and, of course, as our lead photo suggests, some primo Joe Cuba titles. We also welcome more Richport catalog including totally satisfying titles by Judy Deleon and Henry Brun. Also, trombonist Rick Davies offer's up his Siempre Salsa release with guest Wayne Gorbea. Good stuff all around. Be sure to scroll down and see a new batch of Artist Mini Bios of Papaito, Lebron Brothers, Ismael Rivera and La Sonora Ponceña.

Joe Cuba | Diggin' The Most

CONTRIBUTOR COMMENTS: "It was hard to choose this album over 'Steppin Out' (I did a helluva lot of 'grinding' to 'To Be With You'), but this is my favorite Joe Cuba record. Cheo Feliciano's vocals on 'Picando De Vicio,' 'La Lapa,' 'Ariñanara,' and the beautiful bolero 'Aunque Tu,' never cease to amaze me--not to mention the very hip, 'Remember Me.' This band's rhythm section was one of the tightest around at the time... Nick Jiménez, the pianist, always seemed to be very underrated in my view ...his solo on 'Llegue,' an instrumental, is one of my all-time favorite piano solos." (Henry Fiol, 1998)

Bobby Paunetto | El Sonido Moderno - The Seeco Sessions

What a way-cool 60s Latin soul release by Mr. Paunetto, the great vibes and marimba player. The session featured timbalero Ray Cruz, bongocero John (Dandy) Rodriguez, bassists Fernando Oquendo and Henry Zapata, and others. Great to hear again. If you like Cal Tjader, you'll love this. Terrific stuff. - elW

Ocho | Ocho

One of my favorite 70s New York bands, vibe-based Ocho produced a sound that was full of great Afro Latin soul grooves reflecting the era, yet sounds just as fresh today. With singers Jimmy Sabater, Alberto Santiago, Willie Torres and Manny Roman. No signs of wear here. Get it.

Joe Cuba | Wanted Dead or Alive aka Bang! Bang! Push, Push, Push

Along with Pete "Boogaloo" Rodríguez' I Like It Like That, Joe Cuba Sextet's Bang! Bang! Push, Push, Push is one of the principal albums of the '66-9 boogaloo craze. It contains the million selling single "Bang, Bang", penned by Jimmy Sabater and Cuba, which reached number 63 in the national US pop chart in 1966. Jimmy's composition "Oh Yeah" also charted in 1967. Highly recommended. (John Child)

Tito Ramos | Where My Head Is At

Very cool 1972 Latin soul session featuring Spanish Harlem's Tito Ramos who sang for Joe Bataan's band. If Bataan, Johnny Colón, Joey Pastrana and Ralphy Pagan ring your bell, this one is a must-have.

Joe Bataan | Singin' Some Soul

Pure Latin soul from Joe Bataan. This 1972 release on Fania features the tracks "My Cloud," "Under The Street Lamp," "Young Gifted And Brown," and his anthemic "Ordinary Guy." With arrangements by Marty Sheller.

Joe Cuba | Steppin' Out

CONTRIBUTOR COMMENTS: "A must for every collection with Cheo Feliciano, Willie Torres and Jimmy Sabater. Can you turn down: 'A Las Seis,' 'To Be With You' and 'Como Rein'...of course you can't." (Al Santiago, 1994)

"Sammy says: When I was young I thought Cheo Feliciano was the greatest singer and Joe Cuba's band was the swingingest band in the world." (Sammy Figueroa & Rachel Faro, 1994)

Joe Cuba | Recuerdos De Mi Querido Barrio

This 1970 release featured Jimmy Sabater, Willie Torres, Jules (Slim) Cordero, Alberto Delgado, and the great pianist Alfredo Rodriguez. It's got some terrific tracks like "Pataqubiriquambambaram (En El Stoop)" and "Aprieta (Oye Como Va)." Not to be missed.

Tito Rodriguez | Tito's Hits

One of the tightest and cleanest bands ever recorded. Straw boss perfectionist Victor Paz was a musical director who rehearsed and drilled band the to perfection. Do not let the double entendre on 'Vuela La Paloma' fly by your bird." (Al Santiago, 1994)

Rick Davies | Siempre Salsa

Well done Latin jazz from Burlington, Vermont. Davies, a trombonist, has enlisted his old boss, Wayne Gorbea, on a track, but mostly sticks to straight ahead Latin jazz. He’s varied the group, also, so there are big band tracks and smaller group stuff, and a salsa band and a sextet. Good for the radio. Recommended. (Peter Watrous)

Judi Deleon | Judi Deleon

The lovely jazz vocal stylings of Judi Deleon are debuted on this self-titled project. With style and grace, Deleon covers jazz and pop standards like "Lullaby of Birdland," "It's Too Late," "Feel Like Makin' Love" as well as a few original tracks. Features pianist Travis Davis, percussionists Henry Brun and Brandon Rivas, sax player Brandon Rivas, and guest flautist Justo Almario. A terrific session - and just great for the dancers, too.

Henry Brun | Spiritual Awakenings

Direct from San Antonio, Texas, percussionist Henry Brun has produced a rich, groove-driven Latin jazz project. Many of these tracks swing hard, like "El Tren De Bernardo," a spin on "Take The A Train." Terrific vocals by Judi Deleon, who lends an R&B feel to several numbers on this project. To clear the palate, the songs are spaced by interludes of traditional folkloric or religious percussion riffs, clearly displaying Mr. Brun's capacity as a top notch conguero. One of my personal favorites, "Coquetona," is performed con mucho sabor. The album closes with Chick Corea's "Got A Match?" which features the sizzling organ of Benjamin Irom. Special guest: timbalero Victor Rendón. Highly recommended.

Los Saravah Soul | Cultura Impura

It's been two years since their eponymous debut came out, picking up diverse radio support from the likes of The Unabombers (XFM), Craig Charles (BBC 6Music) and Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 1), but Saravah Soul have not rested; the need to soak up more and more influences, gathering obscure African and Brazilian instruments on the way...

"Great track, cool recording and very dynamic! Will play for sure" - Nick Luscombe (Flomotion) "Yea this is great !!!! Outdoor festivals & sunshine vibes all da way" - DJ Simbad "I think this band just gets better and better. Will support in clubs/radio" - Huw Ellis (Knowfoowl) "Love this! Great to have Saravah back - definitely on the playlist for Vibe Bar and Big Chill Bar this weekend"– DJ Gilla (First Word) "Killer Afrobeat here from Saravah Soul. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album" - Erik Schneider (Giant Step – USA) "Great Brazilian Afrobeat dancer" - Global SoulJah liners



Artist Mini Bio: Papaito

Renowned as a percussionist with the legendary Cuban musical institution La Sonora Matancera, Papaíto (1923-2000) was given the opportunity to make five solo albums as a sonero for Roberto Torres' prolific SAR label between 1979 and 1984. He demonstrated that he possessed an engaging bittersweet voice, which he employed effortlessly in his inspiraciones...more

Artist Mini Bio: Lebron Brothers

These funky mavericks from Brooklyn knocked-out 16 albums on Cotique between 1967 and 1982, often mixing Spanish lyrics Latin tunes and English language R&B / soul-oriented numbers. Fania Records took over Cotique in the early '70s and drafted in star bandleader Larry Harlow to produce Asunto De Familia in 1973...more

Artist Mini Bio: Ismael Rivera

Revered, even deified, Ismael Rivera (1931-1987), also affectionately known as Maelo, occupies the berth in the Latin music pantheon designated "El Sonero Mayor" (the foremost improvising Latin singer), though there is controversy about when and from whom he acquired this epithet. Beginning in the mid-'50s, as a member of Rafael Cortijo's...more

Artist Mini Bio: Sonora Poneña

La Sonora Ponceña, Puerto Rico's longest running musical institution, was founded in 1954 by Enrique "Quique" Lucca. His son, Papo Lucca, a remarkable pianist (he also plays percussion, vibes, tres, synthesizer and flugelhorn), gifted soloist and innovative arranger, became musical director...more