Joe Quijano & His Orchestra Salsa-Natra In Clave

Latin Beat Magazine, Oct, 2003 by Rudy Mangual

(Cesta Records)

The idea to record a Latin LP with "The Boss" Frank Sinatra and the "King of the Timbal" Tito Puente took fruition in the early sixties in New York City, but never transpired due to said artists' heavy schedules. Now it's a reality thanks to the efforts of veteran bandleader/vocalist/percussionist Joe Quijano. You can enjoy several hits from Ol' Blue Eyes' repertoire, backed by a Latin big band composed of seasoned veteran players from the Big Apple. Quijano, whose rich, baritone voice was one of the favorites in the Latin dance scene throughout the late sixties and early seventies (especially during bolero interpretations), serves up a praiseworthy Latinization of the melodic and romantic strength of songs such as I Get A Kick Out of You, I've Got You Under My Skin, Fly Me to the Moon, and Witchcraft. The arrangements are superb thanks to maestro Rey Santos (long-time Puente collaborator), as well as pianist Paquito Pastor and P. Moss. Soloists in the band include flutist Dave Valentín and trumpeter Piro Rodriguez. Quijano sings the entire production in English, including a bolero, Ode to Frank, composed by Armando Manzanero, in addition to an English-language version of El Muerto Se Fue De Rumba, and the Barry Manilow classic Copacabana. The cast of top-notch players includes Manny Oquendo, Edy Martínez, Mike Collazo, Andy González, Reynaldo Jorge, Pablo Santaella, Mario Rivera and Raúl Agraz.