Bobby Valentin
LA GRAN REUNION
(Bronco 0170)
This is without a doubt one of the year's best releases. This one comes to us right from the roots, or como se dice, de la mata. All you dancers out there beware, Bobby Valentin is back y viene con todos los hierros. For those of you that don't read the lingo, aprendan, just kidding! Bobby is back stronger than ever with a cast that is sure to please the listener and dancer. This one is chock full of swing.
LA GRAN REUNION reunites Bobby with some of his former vocalists, or shall we say, "soneros". There's Frankie Hernandez, who recorded with Bobby back in the 70's. Then there's the old workhorse Luigi Texidor, who sang with Bobby's band after his departure from La Sonora Ponceña. Johnny Vazquez is another veteran who has been with Bobby since the formation of the Bronco label. As if that wasn't enough, there's also "El Albino Divino" Nestor Sanchez. Then there is Hector Ivan Rivera, the new kid on the block, only you wouldn't know it from his fine performance throughout the release. Johnny Pacheco also makes an appearance on flute on a track as well.
LA GRAN REUNION is loaded with thirteen tracks that last over sixty minutes. All of the tracks, with the exception of one, are upbeat dance numbers that will surely please the dancer in you. And if dancing is not your thing, the songs and arrangements will quench that thirst you have for something more than what is available. The love songs here son de pura candela, like Frankie Hernandez sings on Pasion De Fuego.
Bobby has decided to make a statement with this latest release and is prepared to accept whatever may come. If radio play in Puerto Rico is any indication of what's to come, Bobby can expect nothing but the best. With a little help from his friends, LA GRAN REUNION is sure to be yet another great release from one of Latin music's unsung heroes, one that has everyone talking positively about the return to the roots, la mata. Now it's up to you to come to the reunion...the party is in full swing!
Song titles:
Ahora
Me Toca
El 18 Mecino
Pasion De Fuego
Se Me Olvido Que Te Olvide
Bueno Que Me Pase
El Telegrama
Los De La Esquina
Filosofia De Un Confinado
La Flaca
Mucho Cante
Sal A Buscar
Se Me Olvido Que Te Olvide (Ballad Version)
Bajo Con Piano, Piano Con Bajo
Musicians:
Bobby
Valentin Bass
Charlie Sepulveda Trumpet
Angie Machado Trumpet
Jose Rios Alto sax
Roberto Calderon Baritone and alto sax
Eliut Cintron Trombone
Jose Lugo Piano
Wilfredo "Willito" Lopez Congas
Wilfredo "Freddy" Miranda Timbales
Celso Clemente Jr. Bongo
Pichie Perez Maracas and guiro
Luisito Carrion Coro
Frankie Hernandez Coro, vocals
Osvaldo Roman Coro
Jorge Laboy Guitars
Martin Nieves Keyboards
Papo Valle & El Trio Borinquen trio vocals
Nestor Sanchez, Johnny Vázquez vocals
Luigi Texidor, Héctor Iván Rivera vocals
Johnny Pacheco Special Invited Guest on "Sal a Buscar"