Corwin's Selection for the month of June! - Joe Cuba is the ARTIST OF THE MONTH!

During the boogaloo era, which was between 1962 - 1969, many artists were looking for innovative ways to enhance their sounds due to the change in times during that era. Artists such as Tito Puente, and Ray Barretto, got involved, even though they believed that boogaloo was "kids stuff". Nevertheless, there was one individual who found success in this genre of music during this era, and his name is none other than one Gilberto Miguel Calderon, who is better known as, Joe Cuba. Cuba is a true pioneer of this genre, being credited as the first to sing English language lyrics arranged in Latin Rhythm's.

     Cuba's appeal lay in his punchy, modern, jazzy arrangements, and his innovative inclusion of a vibraphone in the simple line-up. The line-up was consisted of Jose "Cheo" Feliciano and Willie Torres on vocals. The rhythm section, which was one of the tightest around, consisted of Jimmy Sabater on timbales/vocals, Nick Jimenez on piano, Jules (Slim) Cordero on bass, Alberto Delgado on vibraphone, and of course, Cuba on congas. When they performed live in front of an audience, they became a powerhouse, capturing every voice in the crowd en masse- one shouting, rocking chorus- with people screaming and yelling with aplomb while the instruments went crazy.

     Without further adieu, here's the spotlight on one of my favorite artists for the month of June, Joe Cuba. Enjoy and "sock it to me".

1. "Bang, Bang" (Tico, 1967)

- Taken from the album titled, "Bang, Bang! Push, Push, Push", this selection was the first million seller, and one that brought Cuba into the American music mainstream. Its riotous party atmosphere epitomizes the boogaloo style; a raucous collision of hand-claps, musicians calling each others nicknames, children's choruses, all backed by a superb vibes-led jazz dance sextet.

2. "Wabble Cha" (Pimienta Records, 2002)

- Taken from the album titled, "Beginning Rituals", this selection was originally released in the mid-1960's.

3. "Pancho Foo" (Seeco, 1998)

- Taken from the album titled, "Comin' At You", this selection was originally released in the late-1960's.

4. "Quinto Sabroso" (Tico, 1964)

- Taken from the album titled, "Vagabundeando/Hangin' Out".

5. "This Is Love" (Seeco, 1998)

- Same bio., as selection number 3, it features Jimmy Sabater on vocals.

6. "Arinanara" (Rise International Music, 1999)

- Taken from the album titled, "Joe Cuba Sextette con Cheo Feliciano".

7. "El Tabacon" (Tico, 1970)

- Taken from the album titled, "Recuerdos De Mi Querido Barrio (Memories Of My Beloved Neighborhood) En El Stoop/On The Stoop", this selection features Willie Torres on vocals.

8. "La Palomilla" (Tico, 1966)

- Taken from the album titles, "Bailadores", this is one of my favorite Joe Cuba selection to play in either a club or after-party setting. For me, this was the first song I ever listened to from Joe Cuba, and I've been a fan of his ever since.