LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

CD
In 1968, when Fania boss Jerry Massucci created a live super-group from his roster, he was determined to push this Fania act as rock/pop stars, catapulting Latin music out of the Spanish ghettos, across the States and ultimately to the rest of the world: and indeed he achieved it. Since their birth, the Fania All-Stars have now performed, all over the world, as a unit for over 3 decades. This compilation focuses on music recorded at FIVE concerts, between 1968’s 800-capacity gig at the Red Garter in NYC’s East Village to 1974’s international performance at the Stadu Du Hain in Kinshasha in front of 80.000 ecstatic Africans. It was a time when the All Stars were arguably at their hottest and unswervingly innovative. Moving at a frenetic pace, they burnt up arenas and stadiums. The All Stars were Fania’s mighty spearhead, converting millions to the salsa groove, championing the New York Latin music explosion of the 70s.(for more info, clik de link below) This compilation includes 5 cuts from the 2 live albums released from that first 68 gig: Son Cuero Y Boogaloo; Red Garter Strut; Kikapoo Joy Juice, Guatacando and Richie’s Bag. 4 more tracks come from the legendary show at the Cheetah in NYC in 1971, also chronicled in two massive sellers live albums and the movie “Our Latin Thing”: Quitate Tu, Lamento de Un Guajiro, Descarga Fania and Closing Theme. From the two twin gigs of 1972 at NYC’s Yankee Stadium and Roberto Clemente Coliseum at Puerto Rico, where Celia Cruz enters the All Stars line-up, and also chronicled in the movie “Salsa” and in 2 live albums, this set offers you Congo Bongo, Bembe Colora (where Celia is just mesmerizing, ecstatic), Leah, El Raton and Soul Makossa. Following their debut in Puerto Rico, the All Stars hit Mexico, Panama, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. But the highlight of the year was their trip across the Atlantic, to the “African Woodstock” in Zaire, in front of 80.000 people. We offer here Ponte Duro from this amazing gig. After Africa, the All Stars continued their salsa attack in Europe, Japan and across the rest of the world. They also started recording studio albums to Columbia. But this period chronicled here, between 1968-75, is their most exciting. As these mesmerizing live performances illustrate, the musicians and vocalistas are at the height of their game. It is not even necessary to count the musicians appearing here: ANYONE who was SOMEONE in the salsa music plays in these albums, from Celia Cruz to Ray Barretto, from Orestes Vilato to Roberto Roena, Pete Rodriguez, Cheo Feliciano, Hector Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente... And this CD/LP sets will show you WHY they ruled the world in their age.
SONGS: Son Cuero Y Boogaloo; Red Garter Strut; Kikapoo Joy Juice, Guatacando; Richie’s Bag; Quitate Tu, Lamento de Un Guajiro, Descarga Fania; Closing Theme; Congo Bongo, Bembe Colora, Leah, El Raton; Soul Makossa; Ponte Duro