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The NuYorican Funk Experience, Vol. 2: Further Adventures in Latin Soul

Various Artists
1 disc

1. Funky Felix - Seguida
2. Flamenco Ain't Bad - Sabu Martinez
3. New York Soul - Ray Barretto
4. What You Don't Know - Mongo Santamara
5. Nitty Gritty - Ricardo Ray
6. Batumbique - Andy Harlow
7. Vida Nocturna - Benitez & Nebula
8. My Daddy's Farm - Frankie Dante
9. There You Go - Fania All-Stars
10. Coco-E - Joe Bataan
11. Martinez - Monguito Santamaria
12. Merecumbe - Johnny Colon
13. 8th Avenue - Willie Coln
14. Got Myself Together - The Lebrn Brothers
15. V.P. Blues - Eddie Palmieri
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 092
Credits

Producer
Engineer
NUYORICAN FUNK EXPERIENCE: FURTHER ADVENTURES IN LATIN SOUL is the second volume in the series that spotlights the mix between African-American R&B and Latin dance music. DJ Jon Armstrong compiled this 15-song collection, which includes songs from Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Fania All Stars, Eddie Palmieri, and the Mongo Santamaria.
The Nascente label compiled this solid set of Nuyorican funk and soul from the '70s, featuring an array of names from popcorn hotshots Jimmy Sabater and Joey Pastrana to respected bandleaders Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. The common thread here is danceable party grooves, singalong vocals, and lightweight novelties shot through with the kind of inexpressible vibes that can't help but remind listeners of all-day Bronx block-parties. And early on, there's not a duff track here, plus a few of the best Latin popcorn tracks ever recorded: Joe Cuba's "El Pito," Palmieri's "Ay Que Rico," and Ray Barretto's "Right On." The NuYorican Funk Experience falters only during the last half, when it tries to work in a few groove-laden tracks not as familiar to dancefloor fans, from Celia Cruz ("Gracia Divina"), Tipica 73 ("Baila Que Baila"), and Fania All Stars ("Smoke"). Still, it's an excellent compilation for fans of early salsa, Fania-label funkyness, and the barrio nuevo soul that energized the Latin underground during the late '70s. ~ John Bush