26th Feb 2010

The salsa episode of Latin Music USA made me think about the unsung heroes of Latin Music, so I compiled a list of my five favourite artists that HAVE to be mentioned when talking about that amazing period of music in NY.

By DJ Jose Luis an...

The last few weeks have been pretty good for Latinos in the UK. Yanet on BBC1, Latin Music USA on BBC4, Havana Rakatan, The Contemporary Cuban Ballet, the announcement of the Brazilian Festival in the South Bank...and we are only in March! Still, the salsa episode of Latin Music USA made me think about the unsung heroes of Latin Music. Only the ones that get media exposure become part of the collective conscience, the rest become, in the best cases, cult figures in certain circles and mostly faded memories.

During the seventies a whole bunch of record labels, with their producers, musicians and singers became the pillars of Latin music in the Big Apple. Fania’s success made some the undisputed kings. Unfortunately, Fania was a US style corporation that bullied smaller labels. It created an amazing movement, but on the way destroyed a lot of careers and labels. So I compiled a list of my five favourite artists that rarely get any mention when talking about that amazing period of music in NY.

Louie Ramirez (NY 1938-1993): A percussionist, vibraphonist, bandleader, composer and producer. He was the brain behind Fania. He was the nephew of a famous pianist nicknamed Joe loco from the mambo era. He produced more than 500 LPs for Fania, arranged some of their best hits. He was also the "inventor of Salsa Romantica" along Ray de la Paz. He was also known as The Quincy Jones of Salsa".

Ismael Rivera (Puerto Rico 1931-1987) : El Sonero Mayor (Sonero, salsa freestyler- Mayor biggest), as he was known to his fans, Rivera was the biggest salsa singer of his era. He is considered by many as the best salsa improviser there has been (his nickname  was given by Benny More) and even the big stars of the 70's and 80's such as Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades and Cheo Feliciano considered him the patriarch of the salsa fraternity. He has a life full of drama and he did not get on well with Jerry Mascucci, which made his career fizzle out. When his band (along with his "compadre" Rafael Cortijo) split due to him going to jail for almost 4 years, El Gran Combo was born fron his ex musicians as well as Roberto Roena's Apolo Sound. He never signed for Fania but Fania bought the label where his contract belonged

Charlie Palmieri (NY 1927-1988): Eldest brother to Eddie and one of the most influential musicians of Latin NY. His little brother idolized him. He was very successful during the 60s with his Charanga La Duboney alongside Johnny Pacheco (who would then become one of the Fania owners) but never saw commercial success of his brother.

Lebron Brothers: Despite having one of the swingest bands in NY, The Lebron Brothers never reached the level of fame they deserved. Years later , Colombians record collectors and dancers would revive their music and they reformed ad started touring, probably 15 year a bit too late!. Some of the originals members have died, including the husky voiced singer Pablo Lebron, but they still tour in Southamerica with guest vocalists.

Arsenio Rodriguez (Cuba 1911-1970): Along with Cachao and Mario Bauza, probably the most influential Cuban musicians in the 20th century. If Arsenio did not live, I would most probably be somewhere else, not working with music for sure. He is so influential in the latino music world  that what he did cannot really be measured. From the introduction of Piano and Congas into Son (Son is a musical form where salsa comes from), to the addition of more complex "afro" harmonic concepts into cuban music... all that came from Arsenio. Fania and loads of other labels in NY had major hits with his compositions. He died in poverty in NY, city that never recognized his genious, until after he died.

Check out my interview with Jeremy Marre, LATIN MUSIC USA series producer and director