As a child, I spent summers at home in Manhattan's Washington Heights for most of the 1960s. Day camp was held at P.S. 187, my local public school and relief was under the sprinkler in the playground. I think that's why I'm always on the lookout for the hippest Latin music from the decade. Washington Heights was and remains an expansive neighborhood running almost 40 blocks north from 150th Street on the West Side. Back then, the area was shared by Latino, Irish and Jewish residents, depending on which block you were standing on. From the 150s to the high 160s, the area bordering both sides of Broadway was dominated by Dominican and Puerto Rican residents. I still remember hearing the music from those neighborhoods at red lights in my parents' blue Rambler, on buses and on exploratory walks with friends. [Photo above of Willie Bobo]
If you strayed below Columbia Presbyterian Hospital on 168th, you smelled chicken and pork cooking in the summer and saw the vibrant colors of the native flags of residents. What you heard coming from windows and stores was the coolest Latin music. In the 1960s, much of it was Dominican salsero, Puerto Rican salsa caliente and the Latin-soul fusion known as boogaloo.
Several recording artists were masters of giving pop an authentic Latin spin. Among them were vibist Cal Tjader and percussionists Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo. All three recorded on each other's albums, and all three had enormous taste. Bobo moved fluidly between Latin and jazz, recording with jazz artists such as Herbie Mann, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Grant Green, among others.
When he began recording as a leader in 1962 for the Roulette label, Bobo often gave at least two radio hits a Latin touch. In 1965, he was signed by Creed Taylor at Verve as a leader and prolific sideman. Probably his biggest hit album was Spanish Grease in 1965. In 1967, he hit his peak with Bobo Motion for Verve. The album's liner notes touch on Bobo's "dream"—an album with the perfect blend of Latin, jazz, pop, rock and R&B. "It's getting closer and closer but I'm not there yet," Bobo said. As the notes continue, "This album proves the destination is reachable and Bobo will be there first."
The album's arrangements were by Bert Keyes (Up Up & Away, Midnight Sun, Cute, Tuxedo Junction, Show Me, Black Coffee and La Bamba) and Sonny Henry (Ain't That Right, I Don't Know, Evil Ways and Night Walk). Sadly, the rest of the personnel is unknown but as you'll hear, there are heavy-hitters on this session.
There isn't a bad track on the album, and it's a must own. Perfect for sitting on a car eating chicken and yellow rice with piquante, a plastic fork and knife, and an ice-cold bottle of Royal Crown Cola.
Willie Bobo died in 1983.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Willie Bobo's Bobo Motion (Verve) here.
It's also available at Spotify.
JazzWax clips: Here's Up, Up & Away...
And here's Night Walk...
