Being a drummer and bass player, I gravitate towards the foundation of a song - the groove, percussion, and how instruments weave in and out of “the pocket”, be it the short offbeat guitar skanks heard in reggae or the syncopated piano stabs heard in Latin music. That’s what drew me to reggae - the lock-step agreement of groove between the bassist and drummer that allows the rest of the band, organ, vocals, guitars, etc, to either support the core riddim or thread around it, adding depth and melody. The same goes for funk, afrofunk, and other similar genres. They all have related musical elements - tight syncopated grooves, a throng of glorious percussion, and horn combos that add electric energy that elevates and excites you.

There was a period in the 60s & 70s that set New York on fire, emanating from Spanish Harlem, The Bronx, and Lower East Side, and labels like Fania Records - boogaloo (bugalú). We’ve all heard the style and artists at some point, but what is boogaloo? I had to look it up myself, and here’s the definition.

“Boogaloo was created by young Puerto Rican and African American musicians in New York City who mixed the music they heard on the radio, like soul and R&B, with Latin styles like mambo and son”.

This is part one, so I invite you to use the comment section to share some of your favourites for part two in the future.

Eddie Palmieri – Vámonos Pa’l Monte

Noro Morales – Vitamina

Cal Tjader; Eddie Palmieri – Bamboléate

New Swing Sextet – Mira Mama

Mongo Santamaria; La Lupe – Montuneando – Remastered

Johnny Colon – Mayenlle

Boogaloo Assassins – Mi Jeva

Ray Barretto – Mi Ritmo Te Llama

Pete Rodriguez – I Like It Like That

Joe Cuba Sextet – Que Son Uno

Louie Ramirez – Cooking With Ali

Joey Pastrana and His Orchestra – Orquesta Pastrana

Orquesta La Moderna of New York – Picadillo

Tito Puente – Salsa y Sabor