Selections for the month of January

 
      Two renegade violinists from Cuba, Enrique Jorrin and Felix Reyna, invented the cha-cha-cha, in 1953. They both got the idea for the name from the sound of the dancers' feet swishing across the floor. When the mambo is slowed, and simplified in its rhythm, it affords the dancer a more comfortable pace than the blistering tempo of a typical mambo, and it's by far easier to find the first beat. Most importantly, the musicians all sang the chorus. The cha-cha-cha is a dance like no other - in unison, which makes it irresistibly catchy. Little did these two know that what they invented in the early '50's, would emerge and take the world by storm, with dancers and listeners alike, years after their passing'. Without further adieu, here are the selections for January. Enjoy and happy cha-cha-cha.

1. "El Bodeguero": Orquesta Aragon (BMG Music, 1956)

- Taken from "That Cuban Cha Cha Cha" Compact Disc, this selection features one of the most sublime and long-lasting bands to ever come out of Cuba. Founded in Cienfuegos in 1939 by the noted violinist Orestes Aragon, El Bodeguero (The Grocery Man), and other hits like Cachita, Suavecito (Little Sweet One), and Tres Lindas Cubanas (Three Beautiful Cuban Girls), remains in the salsa repertoires today. Look for solos by Richard Egues on flute and Rafael Lay on violin. By far, this is one of my favorite cha cha's to play  in either a club or after-party setting.

2. "Donde Estabas Tu": Tito Puente & Vicentico Valdes (BMG Music, 1996)

- Taken from "The Very Best of Tito Puente & Vicentico Valdes" Compact Disc, this selection features the collaboration of "El Rey del Timbal", Tito Puente and "La Voz Elastica", Vicentico Valdes. Tito's swinging sound and Vicentico's smooth singing proved to be a perfect combination on this selection, and this was the start of many collaborations to come for these two giants of Afro-Cuban music. This selection was originally recorded in the early '50's.

3. "Guajira en Azul": Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri (Verve, 1993)

- Taken from "El Sonido Nuevo (The New Soul Sound)" Compact Disc, this selection features the collaboration of vibraphonist Cal Tjader and the fiery Nuyorican pianist Eddie Palmieri. Palmieri and flutist George Castro imbue implications in this traditionally styled tune. This is a guajira, a Cuban folk dance with rhythm that alternate between 3/4 and 6/8. This selection was originally recorded in 1966.

4. "Flavia": Joe Cuba (Seeco, 1998)

- Taken from the "Comin' At You" Compact Disc, this selection features the soulful singing of one Jose "Cheo" Feliciano, and the conga playing of one Gilberto Miguel Calderon, better known as, Joe Cuba. Joe Cuba achieved mainstream success with a string of 1960's boogaloo crossovers, but, he also achieved success in the cha cha cha arena as well, and this selection certainly proves that. This selection was originally recorded in the late 60's.

5. "Mira Ven Aca": Johnny Colon & Orchestra (Hi and Fly Records, 2005)

- Taken from the compilation Compact Disc "Playtime, Latin Soul & Boogaloo", this selection features the multi-instrumentalist and singer, Johnny Colon. With his two trombones - two saxophone line-up (He plays trombone), it leaves no doubt, that this selection is a favorite amongst dancers and listeners alike. This selection was originally recorded in the late '60's.