A Bite From The Apple - Columna

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2001 by Vicki Solá

Manny Oquendo and Libre shook out those winter blues as they played to a packed La Maganette crowd on January 10. You could smell the burning shoe leather as they treated dancers to classics as well as to tracks from their long-awaited, newly released Los New Yorkiños! (Milestone). Orlando Watussi and Jimmy Delgado were just a couple of luminaries spotted watching Oquendo and his series of lined-up timbales and bongos, as he delivered two extended sets of fiery percussion. Musical director/bassist Andy González's inimitable low-key demeanor contrasted with the intensity and brilliance of his performance, as vocalists Frankie Vásquez and Jorge Maldonado, fueled by four trombones, whipped the place into a frenzy. Also helping to stir things up was new Libre member Octavio Kotán, with his dynamic, cutting electric guitar.

Oquendo and González, who share January 1st birthdays, formed Libre in 1974, in New York City. This band, considered to be a cultural cornerstone, has featured Dave Valentín, Oscar Hernández, Papo Vásquez, and the late Barry Rogers. It is quite amazing to consider the collective experience of Oquendo and González.

Andy González, who has participated in over 700 recordings, performed with the Ray Barretto Orchestra while still in his senior year in high school. His resume also boasts stints with Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and Eddie Palmieri. During the late '70s, he made two recordings with the trailblazing Grupo Folklórico y Experimental Nuevayorkino. González also organized Conjunto Anabacoa with his brother, trumpeter/percussionist Jerry González. In recent years, the innovative bassist has performed with musicians Hilton Ruiz, Steve Berrios, and Steve Turre.

Brooklyn-born Manny Oquendo has performed with many of the groups that have impacted and helped to shape the Latin sound in New York, and hence, around the world, since the forties. He played significant roles in the percussion sections of the Tito Puente Orchestra, the Tito Rodríguez Orchestra and Eddie Palmieri's La Perfecta. Before forming Libre with González, Oquendo also performed with Noro Morales, Johnny Pacheco, Cachao, Marcelino Guerra, Vicentico Valdés, Pupi Campo, Luis Del Campo, and Grupo Folklórico Experimental Nuevayorkino.

The crowd at La Maganette, like my listeners, really responded to the new production's Cuando se Acabará. The bolero Quiereme y Veras features guest vocalist Xiomara Lougart, who González calls "a new member of the Libre family." González notes that the material on this new CD is not brand new, but music that has been in the making for years, unfinished tracks that have been overdubbed and remixed. No Cuentes and Lester Young's Lester Leaps In, which features trumpeter Alex Norris, were arranged by Angel "Papo" Vásquez. González did the honors on Muevete un Poco. The trombone section on the recording features Vásquez, Jimmy Bosch, Norman Hogue and Leonard Pollara. Jorge Maldonado provides lead vocals on everything except on Lougart's bolero, and on the first track, Oquendo y Libre, which features guest El Cacique's rap. The group features Willie Rodríguez on piano, Joe Locke on vibes and synthesizer, George Delgado on congas and Kotán on guitar. On that special evening, as the two birthday guys blew out the candles on their huge cake, the whole house wished them both many, many more.

The Latin Four's 2001 Dance, slated to take place on March 24 at the Bronx's Wild Palm, is bursting with New York talent. Raulín Rosendo, Wayne Gorbea & Salsa Picante, Luisito Rey & Orchestra (profiled in my February 2000 column), and Dave Santiago & Latin Affair (profiled in my December/January 2001 column) are headlining the extravaganza which will include eight live sets, according to The Latin Four's Mike Palleja. Latin Heat's Willie Rivera (BronxNet TV Channel 68, Channel 56 MNN, and Channel 108 RCN) will emcee. Rivera's bilingual program gives exposure to today's upcoming talent.

Like a spring breeze, amazing diva/percussionist Choco Orta recently blew into my studios, direct from La Isla del Encanto. In town to play the Copacabana, the singer gave my listeners and the New York metro-area a first-time taste of her third highly danceable production, Choco, her second on the MP label. (I apologize for the error in my December/January 2001 column. Sentimiento y Sabor (MP) is her second release, and has been out since 1997).

Jesse Herrero's charanga SonSublime will celebrate the release of their newest CD, Irresistible, with a record release party at La Maganette on March 18. Featured artists on this production include flutist Connie Grossman, and vocalists Ronnie Baró, Pedro Moré, and Herrero.

You heard it here. It looks promising that Graciela will come out to sing three tunes at the International Latin Music Hall of Fame's Third Annual Induction and Awards Ceremony on April 4. Graciela and Johnny Albino will receive ILMHF Lifetime Achievement Awards that evening. Further info on the event is available Tuesdays through Fridays from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at 212- 518-4455 and online at www.Latinfame.com.