LP – Vinyl

During the sixties, especially the second half,Bobby Marnwas an up-and-coming young Nuyorican who was responsible, along with his brother Richard, for producing, writing, or coordinating recordings byLouie Ramrez,Machito,The Nitty Gritty,Willie Rosario,Joe Cuba,Johnny Zamot,Kako and Azuquita,Charlie Palmieri, and others. Many of these artists were caught up in the ongoing boogaloo movement. So, it was not a surprise whenIsmael Maisonavean unsung hero of Latin music and owner ofMary Lou Recordsapproached Bobby with the idea of reissuing aRaphie Martnezalbum as a budget LP under a different name, resulting in La Cucaracha Brass.

The songs selected for this compilation represent a point in time when the world was getting ready for an incipient monster called salsa, which would take over for years to come. The LP includes descargas, guaguancs, guarachas, as well as the declining boogaloo.It is a collection of recordings by different artists and was namedCucaracha Brassbecause at that time the groupTijuana Brasswas very popular Most of the songs were taken (six out of eight, presumably) from the LPRaphie Martnez and the National ComboCool Man (Mary Lou 1002). However, there are noticeable differences between the two albums. Latin Power is an explosive instrumental guaracha and descarga, where the trumpet, congas, and timbales deliver powerful solos. Takin Over an instrumental boogaloo appears as We Are Taking Over onRaphie Martnezs album (with a faster tempo and featuring a background voice). Hey Mama, a boogaloo sung byBobby Marn, is titled Do It All Over on Martnezs recording, featuring a different singer, different lyrics, and a different tempo.As well as the edited versions of tracks taken from Martnezs album, this album comprises songs taken from otherMary Lou Recordsreleases such asQuique Rosa y La Sabrosa Orchestra(Mary Lou 1020).

Tracklist:

Side A
1. LATIN POWER
2. TAKIN’ OVER
3. SOMETHING RIGHT
4. MUERTO DE RISA

Side B
1. PAPA NA MAS
2. MI GUAGUANC
3. HEY, MAMA
4. LOST IN THE JUNGLE