Although the main artist is credited on the album as “Ricardo Ray”, it’s actually the name of the duo (pianist Ricardo Maldonado, a.k.a. Richie Ray, and singer Robert “Bobby” Cruz) the one that triggers the excitement associated to their music. “Richie’s Jala Jala” is one of the many hits in their catalog and their signature tune, which to me is an example of a “one of a kind” event in the recording studio: I think not even themselves were able to replicate the power and character of this recording, fueled by Ray’s cowbell rhythm imitation on piano followed by the authority and presence of Pedro Chaparro and Adolphus “Doc” Cheatham (“Mr. Trumpet Man”) on trumpets. Not to mention Cruz’s powerful voice on the ad lib refrains.

Originally released in 1967, this copy of “Jala Jala Y Boogaloo” is an unknown year US reissue of the mono LP.

Numark TTXUSB turntable – Nagaoka MP-500 phono cartridge – ART DJPRE II phono stage preamp – Vinyl record vinilo LP