Joe Cuba Sextet, ‘Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!)’ – Photo: Courtesy of Craft Latino
Craft Latino will rejoice the sixtieth anniversary of the Joe Cuba Sextet’s basic Tico Records debut, Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!), with the album’s first vinyl reissue in practically 50 years.
Freshly remastered from all-analog sources, the 1964 LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a tip-on jacket, replicating the album’s unique designs. Vagabundeando! options an all-star line-up of expertise, together with legendary Puerto Rican vocalists Cheo Feliciano and Jimmy Sabater, plus such fan favourite tracks as “El Ratón,” “Nina Nina,” “I Need You,” and “Oye Bien.”
Set for launch on May 10 and out there for pre-order right now, Vagabundeando! may also make its debut in 192/24 hi-res digital audio. In addition, a Lemon Yellow coloration vinyl unique with a bundle choice that features a commemorative Tico Records T-shirt is out there for pre-order at Fania.com.
Celebrated conguero, bandleader, and “Father of Latin Boogaloo,” Joe Cuba (1931—2009) was a foundational determine in New York’s Latin soul scene. A local of Harlem, the Puerto Rican artist (born Gilberto Miguel Calderón) discovered to play the congas as a teen whereas recovering from a damaged leg.
Before lengthy, the younger percussionist was reserving gigs throughout town and, in 1954, based The Joe Cuba Sextet. Playing alongside such stars as Tito Puente, Machito, and Tito Rodríguez, Cuba and his bandmates shortly gained a following with their swaggering showmanship and stood out from their friends with their distinctive instrumentation decisions—together with including a vibraphonist and taking out horns (which was extraordinary on the time).
The group additionally discovered a broad enchantment with their mix of Spanish and English lyrics—carried out, respectively, by timbalero/singer José “Cheo” Feliciano (who changed Willie Torres in 1958) and crooner Jimmy Sabater, with backing by vibraphonist Tommy Berrios, bassist Jules Cordero, and pianist Nick Jiménez.
The sextet’s engaging model served as the muse for salsa music, in addition to for boogaloo—a vastly fashionable motion that will take maintain within the mid-late 60s, reflecting the melting pot of New York City with its mix of R&B, soul, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. While Cuba would broadly be credited for the creation of boogaloo along with his 1966 crossover hit, “Bang Bang,” he was laying the groundwork with Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!), two years earlier.
Pre-order the Vagabundeando! (Hangin’ Out!) vinyl reissue.