THE MAMBO LEGENDS ORCHESTRA

NO HAY QUE HABLAR  – ‘NUFF SAID!

Truth Revolution Recording Collective

BANDLEADERS: Jose Madera, timbalero/musical director; Mitch Frohman, sax/flute; John “Dandy” Rodriguez, bongo master.

If you are feeling sad, this is music to lift your spirits and invigorate your life. The Mambo Legends Orchestra opens with “Saroso Guaguanco” featuring Eddie Palmieri on piano and special guest, José Alberto with his energetic vocals. A choir of voices repeat their melodic chant to infuse the rhythm.  George Delgado shines on congas, along with John “Dandy” Rodriguez on bongos.

This is the first album release by this heralded ensemble since 2011. It is a Latin orchestra co-led by timbalero and musical director, Jose Madera, saxophonist and flutist, Mitch Frohman, along with the late bongo master, John “Dandy” Rodriguez.  All of the talented musicians who make up The Mambo Legends Orchestra spent years performing with legendary bands like that of Tito Puente, Machito, and Tito Rodriguez. Most of these songs are arranged and orchestrated by Jose Madera.

I love the bass line on the arrangement of the familiar standard, “I’ve Got A Crush On You.”  The Mambo Legends make this song sound brand new!  It features the vocals of Frankie Vazquez and the big bold sound of John Walsh on trumpet. Doug Beavers contributes a memorable trombone solo.

Each song peels off this exciting new album by the Mambo Legends Orchestra with delightful melodies, strong lead vocals, and accompanied by a choir of background singers who punch the rhythm with chants and harmonies. Even sitting at my computer, typing this review, my hips wiggle and move to the refreshing, joyful music that celebrates mambos.

These musicians have lived and breathed Latin music for a lifetime. It has been passed from one generation to the next with repetitive rhythms and unforgettable melodies. The Mambo Legends Orchestra reinvigorates the sounds that once traveled the continents. These tunes were sung on ships from the islands to world cities, bringing their strong cultural roots with them, planted deeply in the soil of the Americas. Once you play this album, you will want to grab your dancing shoes.

: Zaccai Curtis, Yeissonn Villamar & Eddie Palmieri, piano; Gerardo Madera & Luques Curtis, bass; Jose Madera, timbales; George Delgado & Richie Bastar, congas; John Rodriguez, bongos/cowbell/guiro; SAXES: Bobby Porcelli & Vito Chiavuzzo, alto saxophones; Mitch Frohman, tenor sax/flute; Peter Brainin & Jorge Castro, tenor saxophones; Pedro Miranda, baritone sax. TRUMPETS: Kevin Bryan, John Walsh, Richard Viruet & Pete Nater. TROMBONES: Sam Burtis, Doug Beavers, Tokunori Kahwara & Jimmy Bosch. VOCALS & COROS: Frankie Vazquez, Cita Rodriguez, Marco Bermudez & Jorge Maldonado. SPECIAL GUESTS: Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Danny Rivera, Tito Nieves, Jose Alberto & Tony Vega. ARRANGER/ORCHESTRATOR: José Madera. OTHER ARRANGERS: Ray Santos, Gonzalo Fernandez. Re-ORCHESTRATION: Richard Viruet. BANDLEADERS: Jose Madera, timbalero/musical director; Mitch Frohman, sax/flute; John “Dandy” Rodriguez, bongo master.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

 

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