Eddie Palmieri

La Perfecta II
(Concord)

CD Reviewed by

Eddie Palmieri formed a group in the 60's called La Perfecta and they had a sound called "Trombanga", which included the use of trombones and a flute. The band was comprised of heavy musicians like Barry Rogers on trombone (R.I.P.), sonero Ismael Quintana, timbale player Manny Oquendo (later formed Conjunto Libre), conguero Tony López, flautist George Castro and José Rodríguez on trombone.

Well, the sun of Latin music is back and he's revisiting his old Perfecta catalog with his current band and even though you can never really duplicate that magic, this CD comes pretty close. Since this is a SALSA web site, I'll concentrate on the salsa numbers. (The CD is divided into half salsa and half Latin Jazz)

"El molestoso II" jump kicks this bad boy and immediately you know this is not your average groove. Eddy Zervigón on flute and Joe Santiago's bass will give you goose bumps. Herman Olivera's vocals are as sharp as ever (when is this man going to be a star?).

Next, is one of my all-time favorites from Mr. Palmieri, "Tirándote flores." Many might remember Bobby Valentin's version, but it was Palmieri with Quintana who did it first and now Eddie smokes it with Herman. One of the catchiest choruses ever recorded....and the piano solo, oh my!

Every remake here kicks but "Ay, qué rico" is a "must listen". Joe's bass alone is worth the price of the CD and when the flute comes along, you are hooked. This is also the cut where Olivera shows off his soneros skills, showing you that this is no child's play. It takes mastery to do this and who am I to argue? GET THIS!

I can hear critics right now saying, oh it's the same crap, he's not like before, etc. So what? Unlike the rest, Mr. Eddie Palmieri is still trying to challenge himself and his audience and compared to what's out here right now in commercial land (Michael Stuart, Marc Anthony, Jay Lozada, etc.), this is a masterpiece!

Aché!

Songs:
1- El molestoso II
2- Shekere Agent man
3- Tirándote flores II
4- Cuddles
5- Cuídate Compay II
6- Apeiron
7- Elena, Elena
8- Tu tu ta ta II
9- Our routine
10- Ay, qué rico II
11- Bianco's Waltz

Musicians:
Eddie Palmieri - Piano/Director
Joe Santiago - Bass
Eddy Zervigon - Flute
Dave Valentin - Flute
Conrad Herwig - Trombone
Reynaldo Jorge - Trombone
Doug Beavers - Trombone
Bryan Lynch - trumpet
Mario Rivera - Baritone sax
Ivan Renta - Tenor sax
Yosvany Terry Cabrera - Alto sax
José Claussell - Timbales
John Rodríguez Jr. - Bongos
George Delgado - Congas
Richi Flores - Congas
Dafnis Prieto - Drums
Herman Olivera - Vocals
Ray Viera - Chorus
Pedro E. Rodríguez (Pete Conde's son) - Claves

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This page was last updated on 25-Sep-2005