RAY BARRETTO — Indestructible (review)

RAY BARRETTO — Indestructible album cover

Album · 1973 · Afro-Cuban Jazz

5/5 · 2011-03-25
Matt

How would you feel,the band that you had were all crackers of musicians and the majority got up and said "Ray were off, forming our own band" which was to become Tipica 73, as that was the year they left. Ray still had Roberto Rodriguez (lead) with Joseph (Papy) Roman on trumpet but he needed some fellow percussionists so "Little" Ray Romero was the new man on timbales and can he slam them with Tony Fuentes playing bongo and cencerro (handbell) both being veterans with plenty of experience. The new man on piano was Edy Martinez with a great Jazz technique, Artie Webb was added on flute with another trumpeter Manuel "Manny" Duran who also had a great jazz blowing style. They all recorded one night previous to this album "The Other Road" which was all Jazz but was not a big seller for Fania and all the fans wanted Ray of old back doing Salsa. Ray still needed a bass player though and Julio Romero joined on baby bass but a new vocalist was also added who was Tito Allen with this album putting him right out into the public eye. The coros are quite a cut with Hector Lavoe, Menique and Willie Colon making one appearance, Roberto the lead trumpeter and Felo Barrio having a turn on coros for one song as well. Ray needed a comeback album and the title "Indestructible" was given to Izzy Sanabria who has done some of the best album art work and lay outs and the cover for this one with Ray as Superman is an all time classic.

"El Hijo De Obatala" is a Yoruba composition and maybe it did come from the Cuban gods with one great explosion of percussion and rythmn driving it all along in this wonderful song. Edy Martinez comes in on piano with Ray's congas all over it with Tito's vocals but when this comes to an end it is a veritable explosion with Roberto Rodriguez screaming those high notes out on his trumpet.Tito Allen is one of those vocalists that makes remarks,introductions and even noises throughout his vocals giving the tunes even more drive. Son is next with "El Diablo" and Tito is laughing before he starts his vocals with a great Son rythmn but it is the montuno where things get really going with superb contributions from all the band and vocalists with Roberto on trumpet, Ray congas and Edy's piano solo all in that order with a return to the montuno and still Roberto is screeching with anorther burst of those beautiful high notes from his trumpet. It is a bolero with some cha cha for "Yo Tengo Un Amor" with some great flute from Artie Webb. Hector Lavoe with Menique's assistance on coros gives the next one the drive darting around Tito's vocals as with the usual hard approach from the band on this guaracha."La Familia". More cha cha but a bit more up tempo is the main ingredient for "La Orquestra" and penned by the lead trumpeter Roberto Rodriguez."Llanto De Cocodrillo" is another great guaracha and the son is back for "Ay No" with more great Latin drive with Edy doing another piano solo with that superb technique and we get timbales from Little Ray and of course you sure know Roberto Rodriguez is still there when he starts his trumpet licks all over the end. The title "Indestuctible" is the album closer with the best being saved for last and if you think Little Ray was good with his quick timbale solo on the previous get ready for this one which is one extended driving monster in this slamming guaracha which will have you jumping and singing with the coros in the montuno on this absolute classic penned by Ray Barretto and Joseph Roman.

Ray was back better than ever with one of his best albums he recorded and today it is regarded a Latin classic with that old school or Salsa Dura approach that we use to describe a great full on Latin album. This one and his earlier album "Acid" are two compulsory albums for your Latin collection from the Conga master Ray Barretto. One other note Tipica 73 went on to be a very popular band with Fania.