My apologies in not posting any album recommendations recently, but here is one that most serious Salsa collectors/connoisseurs can not do without...It's the 1976 Conjunto Libre release titled, " Libre, Con Salsa... Con Ritmo."
And what an album it is! On this gem we have a few of Eddie Palmieri's defected musicians from Palmieri's "La Perfecta" days which include: Manny Oquendo (Leader & Timbales, he has a slower paced style, similar to the older Cuban style of playing the timbales, I'd say the opposite of Tito Puente's stylistic tendencies of playing faster), Andy Gonzalez (Co-Leader & Bass), Jose Rodrigues (Trombone) Barry Rogers (my personal favorite trombonist in salsa's history ever), & Jerry Gonzalez (Conga & Chekere). So you know that their sound is going to be somewhat similar to "La Perfecta's", i.e. a big fat trombone sound up front (a staple in the 70's salsa style), with a powerful rhythm section behind it...
Other musicians include: Angel "Papo" Vasquez on Trombone, Oscar Hernandez on piano (of Spanish Harlem Orchestra fame lately, & who cites Eddie Palmieri as one of his influences), Hector "Tempo" Alomar on vocals on the songs "Lamento Borincano" ( an interesting take on the Raphael Hernandez original), "Risque" and "No Critiques"(clearly the main reason to buy this album, interesting & provocative lyrics, great rhythm, definitely danceable, what a sound!!!), Tony "Pupy" Torres on vocals on the other outstanding tracks "Saoco" & "Bamboleate,"which are the other outstanding tracks on this album.(this particular track, "Bamboleate" was originally done by Eddie Palmieri with Cal Tjader, which is the version I enjoy more, but boy does Conjunto Libre really create a comparable alternative take on it). Felo Barrio, Nestor Sanchez on Coros, & Vicente George on Guiro.
Track Listing:
- Lamento Borincano
- Risque
- Saoco
- Afterthought
- No Critiques (Classic 70's Salsa sound)
- Donna Lee/ A Gozar Y Bailar
- Bamboleate
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