VA - Fania Records 1964-1980 (The Original Sound Of Latin New York) [2008] (2 x CD's)

FANIA RECORDS

VA - Fania Records 1964-1980 (The Original Sound Of Latin New York) [2008] (2 x CD's)

Like Motown, Fania created a sound all its own. The genre of salsa music didn’t exist before Fania invented it in mid ’60's NYC. Fania’s bands were happily mixing up exotically named Afro-Cuban styles -- son, charanga, guaracha, bomba, that sounded intimidating to gringo audiences without access to Wikipedia. Fania co-founders Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci created “salsa” as a catch-all marketing term.  I never really gave too much thought to Salsa music over the years. It always appeared to be kind of cheesy from a great distance, but as my music world began to expand and as I began to appreciate many forms of Latin music, I learned that Salsa was one of those rich cultural subsets of music that bloomed outside the mainstream. Now all that I needed was to find a good introduction into the music.

This excellent double CD sampler of Fania Records output from '64-80 is a must-have for fans of Salsa and particularly the Nu Yorica compilations released by Soul Jazz Records, though surprisingly they didn't have anything to do with the release of this superb compilation. So much great music was produced in New York during the 60's, 70's and 80's yet the vibrant cross-pollination of Latin American cultures (Costa Rican, Dominican, Cuban), African rhythms and American jazz remained a well-kept secret to the rest of the world until dedicated musicologists started raiding the vaults and unearthing these treasures. This music is far from staid, dated or dead. It remains as vital and fresh as on the day it was recorded. The musicianship is sterling and sophisticated, the vocals passionate and soulful. It's amazing to think that none of the music on this anthology was recorded outside the US. It takes a special kind of culture to retain its roots so strongly and simultaneously be universal, the kind that absorbs and adapts and moves forward. And boy does this music move! 

Fania Records in the 60's and 70's was to Salsa music what Chess was to Blues, Blue Note to Jazz and Motown and Stax were to Soul, the label that was home to the biggest names of the genre, and of very constant quality. This compilation is ground zero to begin exploring and enjoying the fruits of the Salsa explosion of that bygone era. Most of the big names of the music are represented here by great cuts, with famous names like Celia Cruz, Rueben Blades and Ray Baretto rubbing shoulders with lesser know, but still great talents like Hector Lavoe, Orchestra Harlow and Joe Bataan.  (Amazon)

This is a great collection that provides a great introduction to a very vital music. Every cut is solid and  can lead to deeper treasures while investigating various artists back catalogs. FANIA RECORDS 1964-1980 provides not only an essential history lesson, but an instant party. 

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Track lists

CD1

01 Johnny Pacheco Dakar, Punto Final 3:43

02 Orchestra Harlow La Juventud 3:12

03 Joe Bataan Subway Joe 2:55

04 Ray Barretto Mercy Mercy Baby 2:46

05 Bobby Valentín Use it Before You Lose It 3:01

06 Willie Colón The Hustler 6:32

07 Joe Bataan Mambo De Bataan 4:46

08 Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound Consolación 3:27

09 Ismael Miranda Con Orchestra Harlow Abran Paso 3:30

10 Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz Sonido Bestial 6:48

11 Willie Colón Che Che Colé 3:29

12 Cheo Feliciano Anacaona 4:12

13 Fania All-Stars Quitate Tú (Live at the Cheetah) 9:57

14 Justo Betancourt Pa' Bravo Yo 3:45

15 Ismael Miranda Así Se Compone Un Son 5:34

CD2

01 Ray Barretto Indestructable 4:13

02 Willie Colón Calle Luna, Calle Sol 3:45

03 Roberto Roena Y Su Apollo Sound Que Se Sepa 3:14

04 Bobby Valentín Coco Seco 3:35

05 Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco Quimbara 4:49

06 Tommy Olivencia Pa'lante Otra Vez 5:49

07 Héctor Lavoe Mi Gente 5:27

08 Mongo Santamaría O Mi Shangó 4:23

09 La Sonora Ponceña Bomba Carambomba 5:11

10 Willie Colón & Rubén Blades Pablo Pueblo 6:10

11 Héctor Lavoe El Cantante 10:22

12 Willie Colón & Rubén Blades Pedro Navaja 7:23

13 Celia Cruz Y La Sonora Ponceña Sonaremos El Tambo 4:30

14 Fania All-Stars Feat. Celia Cruz Cuando Despiertes 5:50

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