The Lost Sessions - New York 1976 Joe Bataan

£12.56

Genre:
Latin Soul
Label:
BGP
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDBGPD 209

This product is also available in these versions:
The Lost Sessions - New York 1976 (MP3), MP3 (£6.32)

Joe Bataan is one of the legends of Latin music, with one of the most distinctive voices and a stream of great recordings beginning with his 1967 debut for Fania Records, a beautiful take on the Impressions’ ‘Gypsy Woman’. Growing up in Spanish Harlem, Joe converted from a gang leader to a singer, after a spell in prison where he decided that the former route could only end badly. At Fania he developed a very distinctive strain of Latin soul where he took in the street corner harmony sounds, mixed them with boogaloo rythms and the soul that was blasting from the radio. This spectacular blend took him through a series of releases that included the gold record ‘Riot’, and the sublime ‘Singin’ Some Soul’ before he fell out with label boss Jerry Massuci during the recording of his album “Live From San Frantasia”, in 1973. He took his music to a new label called Mericana, where he made his debut album for them called “Salsoul” – which would eventually be the name that the Mericana took for its label – and followed it with the splendid “Afrofilipino” which contained the club hit ‘The Bottle (La Botella)’a latin-funk version of Gil Scott Heron’s ‘The Bottle’.

It was at this time that Joe left Mericana and placed his next recording at the Rifkind brothers Spring label. Unfortunately no contract was signed and the LP languished in the vaults, apart from a limited run Japanese release in the early 90s, until now. It’s a shame because it is the missing link between “Afrofilipino” and his later recordings back at Salsoul. Certainly his vibrant version of Isaac Hayes ‘Theme From The Men’ is a sure fire follow up to ‘The Bottle (La Botella)’ and as he had previously updated some of his Fania recordings he does so again here with the wonderful ‘My Cloud’ and ‘My Opera’. The whole album is underpinned with the nascent sound of disco that was in the air in the New York of 1976; the version of ‘Sadie’ is a disco update of Joe’s version of ‘Gypsy Woman’. His voice sounds amazing throughout the album particularly on the closing number, a cover of Billy Stewart’s ‘I Do Love You’.

Joe’s next release was the album “Mestizo” which included one of the earliest rap hits, ‘Ra-O Clap-O’. It was his penultimate release. After “Bataan II” he retired from music and settled into a suburban life. In recent years the great interest in his music has propelled him back out on the road, and he has recorded two albums of new material. Joe is performing brilliantly with rapt audience attention. He is intending to play a headline slot at the Goodwood Vintage Festival in August. Try to make sure you catch him.

By Dean Rudland

Share

Track listing

Show

Delivery & Returns

Show

We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

Show

An excellent document of a vibrant time. ★★★★

Record Collector

Customer reviews

Show

Related products

Customers who bought this item also bought