A genre that we haven’t touched yet I think, el boogaloo (or bugalu)
Boogaloo is the quintessential mutt/mestizo/hybrid music
Born of the encounter between black american soul and R&B and cuban and puerto rican mambo, charanga, and son
It’s nuyorican to the core
The latin purists hated it
And still do
In the mid 60s, it blew up and dominated the airwaves, sidewalks, and clubs
Today’s dose is something of a mystery
It’s been reissued now, but OG’s usually run to three figures
I don’t know who Diane and Carole were
Not sure anyone does
It’s spelled “Dianne” on the LP, but “Diane” on the 45 single
It was actually the b-side
But how can you not love a cut that goes “don’t let the fuzz catch you dealing… You’ll get busted!”
The writing and arranging is courtesy of Louie Ramirez
On the Speed label
Which released this album and like 8 other hot boogaloo joints in 1968
But didn’t live to see 1970, as far as I know
During their brief run, though, they had top flight talent in the studio
Including Bobby Marin
And Louie
Ramirez is almost perfectly new york
Papa was Cuban, mama was Puerto Rican
Learned piano young, played classical
He also played timbal and other percussion, vibes, etc
Was in a number of the greatest latin orchestras
And did arrangements for everyone from Celia Cruz to Ruben Blades to Johnny Pacheco to Sabu Martinez
He arranged Sabu’s legendary Jazz Espagnole
Ramirez was also quite the character
And known as the chief comedian of the latin music world
Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez respected him
He was considered one of the only maestros who could lead, compose, and score music for a big band
Louie had to do a recording with La Lupe, the great Cuban singer
Who had previously done all her work with Tito Puente
Louie reportedly stumbled into a restaurant where Tito was hanging out with other musicians, looking ragged
“That bitch is possessed” he complained
“I don’t know you what it is you two had, but this recording is never getting done”
“She’s out of control! You gotta help me”
Story goes that Tito held Louie is high enough regard that he went to the studio and put everybody in order
Including La Lupe
When Louie and Tito entered the studio, the musicians (many of the same who had played with Tito) went ice cold
Tito stared down la Lupe: “alright, play time is over and no more bullshit. Entiendes?”
They all got to the music, La Lupe to the singing, and the record got done
Now sure how I got off on this tangent about Tito Puente
He was one who was mostly contemptuous of the boogaloo fad
For those of us who are anti-purists, no such qualms
My favorite of the boogaloo classics:
https://youtu.be/qXQm-QzJ7ig
