Willie Rodriguez And His Orchestra – Soogie [Vinyl]

Soogie (1969) was Willie Rodrguez’s first album for Mary Lou Records. Mary Lou Records, at that time, was also one of the labels in the right place at the right time, just before Fania smashed almost all the competition. The album is mostly comprised of guaguancs, boleros, and improvised-space-filling descargas (jam sessions). This is remarkable, as it hardly includes boogaloo, which was still prevalent during those years, yet already on the way out. According to Bobby Marn, its musical director said, “we didn’t call it salsa at the time; it had no name. It was mambo or msica movida, they used to call it on the radio.” The first tune, “My Dog Soogie”‘ which provides the title for the recording, is a playful guaracha about a dog. The following track is the wildly popular “La Puerta del Dolor.” “El Chivo” (the goat) is a spicy guaracha, which changes into a son montuno-guajira. “Grande” is a guaguanc, followed by “Los Callos de Dolores,” also a delightful guaguanc. Then comes the ballad “Porque yo te Amo,” a monster hit of the sixties by popular Argentine singer Sandro. Next, there is “Al Comps del Giro,” a guaguanc, with the delicious chorus that goes “cmo va, cmo va, cmo va, mi giro cmo va.” “Paul’s Thing” is an instrumental guaguanc, with engrossing sax solos. Finally, the smashing, extended descarga “Salsa con Willie Rodrguez.” A reissue of a rare and in-demand 1969 salsa gem after decades unavailable! Includes an insert with liner notes.