Orquesta Harlow - Rumbambola (1979)

Salsa orchestra created in New York in the mid-1960s by Larry Harlow.

Searing salsa from the end of the 70s -- a really driving little album from Orchestra Harlow, done in a proudly soaring style! Larry Harlow's referencing Latin of years past on some of the tunes, but the arrangements are all quite contemporary for the time -- thanks to great work from Marty Sheller, Charlie Palmieri, Luis Cruz, and Louie Ramirez -- who all contributed charts to the set. Harlow plays a bit of moog, clavinet, and Fender Rhodes on the record, but the core groove is mostly acoustic and served up with tremendous power by the trumpet/trombone heavy lineup. Nestor Sanchez handles vocals, and tracks include "Viva Caracas", "Para Mi Obatala", "Ponte A Bailar Mi Son Comigo", "Con La Mayor Elegancia", and "Rumbambola" -- an old Noro Morales tune, redone very nicely here!