La Charanga Casino – 1979

🎻🎶🎺🇨🇺🎶 Felipe Ramos’ Charanga Casino has little to envy from the best bands in the genre. Produced by Roberto Torres on his SAR label, they landed in 1979 with this eponymous album that leaves nothing to chance. Four infectious tracks with a brilliant son, led by Sammy Galvez’s flute. To complete the set, La Charanga invites a promising young violinist, Alfredo de la Fé, who has also just released his first album. At 25, de la Fé is already an established musician, equally at home playing Mendelssohn or accompanying Eddie Palmieri or Santana. His playing and inspiration further elevate Casino’s repertoire, making Quiero Verte and Ganas de Bailar el Son, the latter with real El Manicero tracks in it (Si Señor!), little gems of the genre. I remember when I was there, this cassette, unearthed in the Congo, was played over and over again, a refreshing alternative to the all-powerful ambient rumba.