Bandleader, conguero and producer George H. Maysonet (b. April 19 1938, Cataño, Puerto Rico) clocked up an impressive cv with the likes of Alfredito Valdés, Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Rosario, Típica Novel and Orquesta Broadway, among others, before organising Charanga America in 1977. The band became a family affair with his wife Margaret singing co-lead vocals and chorus and their sons George Jr. and Elliot playing percussion. George Maysonet and Charanga America is the band's 1978 debut album produced by the revered Panamanian reeds player Mauricio Smith for El Sonido, a small short-lived label founded by Bobby Marín and attorney, Samuel Yucht. The album includes America's first hit "Ayudame San Antonio" penned by Cuban vocalist, percussionist and composer Rafael "Felo" Barrio who shares lead vocals with Gene Hernández (a.k.a. Eugenio Hernández). Barrio, also a member of Orquesta Broadway at the time, performed on all but one of America's albums between 1980 and 1989. Hernández, writer of Broadway's classic "Isla del Encanto", went on to make three LPs for Alegre leading his own charanga Novedades. Pianist Frank Bello arranged "Ayudame San Antonio" and George Maysonet's composition "Somos Los Que Estamos". Don Gonzalo Fernández contributes five charts, including the notable "Charanga America" and "Ya Llego", both composed by José Barrios. Nestor Torres plays flute and the mysterious E.D. on first violin has got to be the wonderful Eddie Drennon, who became a regular fixture of America's albums up to 1989.
Highly recommended. (John Child, 2007-01-22)
Song titles include:
Charanga America 3:08
Aydame San Antonio 3:26
Cañandonga 5:01
Ya Llego 4:05
Somos Los Que Estamos 5:03
Bertalina 3:55
El Viejito Don Antonio 3:39
Donde Esta Mi Negra 4:55
Musicians include:
George Maysonet Leader, conga, quinto
George Maysonet, Jr. Tambora
Nicky Marrero Timbales
Luis Quinones Bass
Frank Bello Piano
Ira Herscher Piano and tres
E.D. Violin
Carl Ector Violin
Enrique Orengo Cello
Ralph Irizarry Timbales
Nestor Torres Flutes
Felo Barrios Lead vocals, coro, guiro
Jean Hernandez Lead vocals, coro
Ronnie Baro Lead vocals and coro
Mauricio Smith Coro
Category: Dance Traditions => Charanga
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