JESUS PAGAN Y SU ORCHESTRA - SALSA DE LA MATA (2008)

many thanks to Pablo Yglesias (Dj Bongohead)

Jesus Pagan Leader and lead vocals
Hector "Maximo" Rodriguez Bass, coros y clave
Eddie Montalvo Congas
Jorge Gonzalez Bongo
Luisito Quintero Timbales
Richie Viruet 1st & 2nd trumpets
Joe Fiedler Trombones
Carl Corwin Baritone sax
Lucho Cueto Maracas and guiro
Ray Castro Coros

full tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

review by Pablo Yglesias - courtesy www.descarga.com

Do you like classic jams from the golden age of Nuyorican salsa dura? As you can see from the cover art, so does orchestra leader, vocalist, and composer Jesús Pagan, and for his first album as a solo act and leader, he has assembled a fabulous team of ace musicians and top arrangers for your listening and dancing pleasure. Every tune on here is a bonafide salsa scorcher, hot and heavy - and written by Jesus himself. Though some of the compositions feature romantic lyrics, there is NO salsa monga – that is, no sappy romantic pop – every jam on here has plenty of moña, tumbao, and mambo to it. The brass arrangements are exceptionally well done, by Ray González, Hector 'Maximo' Rodriguez, Joe Velez and Lucho Cueto. Check out the dynamics on track 7, 'La Rumba Se Pone Buena,' and prepare for a dance meltdown. Pagan, who is from Ponce and is based in Massachussets, is joined by some East Coast heavies - Eddie Montalvo, Luisito Quintero, and Jorge González form the rhythm section; Hector Rodriguez & Ray Castro are on coro, Lucho Cueto plays a mean piano, and there are horns galore, with blasting trombones by Joe Fiedler and 1st & 2nd trumpets by the talented Richie Viruet. And, as an added salsa brava touch, there is even some great baritone work by Carl Corwin! To top it all off, Jesus sings with a warm classic tone, calling to mind everyone from Chamaco Ramirez to Victor Manuelle.
With so much sabor and authentic feeling on this long playing album, I’m sure you will agree this is a killer collection – salsa de la mata!
Highly Recommended. (Pablo Yglesias, 2008-02-13)

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