RICARDO RAY — In Orbit (with Bobby Cruz) (review)

RICARDO RAY — In Orbit (with Bobby Cruz) album cover

Album · 1971 · Afro-Cuban Jazz

2/5 · 2011-11-01
Matt

Rare as hen's teeth this album to obtain and a real Groove Collector's aquisition to have. "In Orbit" was released in 1971 on Alegre and this would be the last for the label as Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz would change to the Vaya Label next and record one of their most highly regarded albums "El Bestial Sonido". The reason this album is rare to find these days is it is not one of their best but there are moments within that do contain that special magic that Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz could only play. Another factor for the album is its time length only coming in at 26.21 minutes which means it is over before you know it and this could have been almost put on an EP due to its duration. The album notes which is the cd I am reviewing has zilch and the only two artists that are mentioned apart from Richie and Bobby are Fred Weinberg on organ who was the Engineer as well and the special guest "The Woodpecker ( El Pajaro Loco)" but I do know that the female vocalist present is Miki Vimari who is also on the next album mentioned above. Six tracks only with one being done twice which is "Last Train To Clarkesville" with a vocal and instrumental but we do have a descarga and a Jazz track to hear within the album.

"Ricardo Ray In Orbit" is the album opener and the best track being a descarga with a percussion intro and Richie's keyboards are superb with one great piano solo mixed with electronic keyboard with the trumpet coming in to rip the tune right up which just keeps building like any great percussion driven descarga. The Monkees is next ala "Last Train to Clarkesville" with Bobby doing vocals and no percussion used but a drum kit instead with mixed results. The actual track sounds at a faster time than the original but isn't, as it is the Orchestra with its drive making it sound that way with some great flute added having a slight difference from the original Monkees take but not a lot. "The Wood Pecker", yes as in "Woody" with the vocals sounding just like him on this number which commences in a Bomba fashion and Richie Ray playing another stunning keyboard (piano) solo with the congas just right in the mix but was it Bobby Cruz who was "Woody The Woodpecker". I know one thing for sure I would not want my name attached to the vocals. Even the coros are doing the Woody tone. A Pop ballad is next being from the film "Cactus Flower" and named "Time For Love Is Anytime" which is where Miki Vimari makes her appearance on vocal which she sings in Spanish. The Jazz tune "Ad Libs" is a reasonable band workout although at times I do find the electronic keyboards from Fred Weinberg just a bit tacky for me but Richie on piano and whoever was blowing trumpet save it barely. The album closer is the instrumental version of "Last Train To Clarkesville" which is not just the vocals stripped from track two as there are solos but I feel it was an overdub that was the method used for them and not a fresh take from the band.

Last album for the label it shows. Could have been better but most likely Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz's minds were on the next album for their new label. Although we all like these obscure ones to have, don't go overboard with the price on this one. The title track (descarga) is the best and it is good.