JOHNNY RAY (JOHNNY ZAMOT) Y LAS ESTRELLAS DE NUEVA YORK - WALK OF FAME (1975/2007)

many thanks to Nelson Rodriguez

Johnny Zamot Leader, congas
Manny Corchado Timbales
Johnny Rodriguez "Dandy" Bongos
Yayo "El Indio" Peguero Coro
Adalberto Santiago Coro
Jimmy Sabater Coro
Charlie Palmieri Musical director, maracas
Eddie "Gua Gua" Rivera Bass
Eddie "Eddy" Martinez Piano
Ray Maldonado Trumpet
Roy Roman Trumpet
Mario Rivera Bari sax, soprano sax
Crispin Fernandez Flute, tenor sax
Barry Rogers Trombone
Jose Meriño Trombone
Paul "La Playa" Alicea Trumpet
Pat Patrick
Billy Cobham Drums
Victor Venegas Bass
Plus: Charlie Rodriguez (tres), John "PeeWee" Fernandez (vocals), Ramon "Tito Jay" Jimenez (vocals), Manny Duran, Victor Paz (trumpet) & Felipe Yanes (keyboards)

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

review by Bruce Polin - courtesy www.descarga.com

Here's something pretty darn remarkable. A never-before reissued album of sessions directed by the venerated Charlie Palmieri. Conguero and bandleader Johnny Zamot (also known as Johnny Ray) brought together a crew of young musicians who would later become legendary figures in their own right: trombonists Barry Rogers and Jose Meriño, bongocero Johnny Rodriguez "Dandy," pianist Eddie "Eddy" Martinez, trumpeters Ray Maldonado, and Ray Roman, timbalero Manny Corchado, bassists Victor Venegas and Eddie "Gua Gua" Rivera, drummer Billy Cobham, tresero Charlie Rodriguez and, yes, many others.
These are raw-energy studio sessions that convey the sense of working musicians letting loose in ways similar to Al Santiago's famed Alegre All Stars (also with Charlie P. at the helm). It's music made to satisfy the musicians playing it; proficient, intense, and swinging *very* hard. According to John Child, some of the tracks appeared on the rare early '70s album entitled Johnny Zamot.
Zamot chose what he felt were the best tracks from several sessions when assembling this CD. He put all the descarga-heavy tracks up front: "Oye Nicola," "La Guerra" "Descarga En Tres," the over 7 minute "Descarga No. 2" and, of course, "Descarga Zamot." There are also some jazzy numbers that drip with Latin soul, and the finale, "Guadalajara," is a tour-de force theatrical powerhouse that one can imagine being used as the centerpiece in a Latin version of the musical "Hair."
With singers John "PeeWee" Fernandez and Ramon "Tito Jay" Jimenez and a coro team consisting of Yayo "El Indio," Adalberto Santiago and Jimmy Sabater. Pretty cool, indeed. Camino de Fama is one of those rare releases that seem to come out of nowhere, yet assert a historical reference to remind us that exceptional work was done outside of the Fania studios as well. Musically, what an amazing period the '70s was.
Good liner notes by Nelson Rodríguez. This one, folks, is a Must-Have.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP, 2007-11-06)
 

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