WILLIE RODRÍGUEZ (TRUMPET) — Soogie (review)

WILLIE RODRÍGUEZ (TRUMPET) — Soogie album cover

Album · 1969 · Afro-Cuban Jazz

4/5 · 2011-08-29
Matt

Recorded in 1969 in New York, "Soogie" was Willie Rodriguez's fifth album as Bandleader, arranger, trumpeter and songwriter, albeit being only two tunes for this album. This also was Willie's first recording for his new label Mary Lou Records as previously he had been with the Fonseca label. He would actually go on to release another two albums on Mary Lou but one was not an actual project just bits and pieces compiled by the company being "Descarga 71", so in essence Willie only did the two with "Soogie" the first. Not long after this Willie Rodriguez would fade into obscurity as his next proper album release "The Puerto Rican Kid" would be his last recording and he would then pursue band management. Produced by Bobby Marin with Frankie Figuero singing lead vocals who would later go on to perform with Tito Puente as well as lead his own band in the seventies. Frankie and Willie have left us now with Willie Rodriguez only passing away last year in late August 2010. If perhaps Willie had recorded on one of the more famous Latin labels he would have been remembered a lot better as Willie was right in that time in the late sixties when not only Latin Music but all music really was still changing rapidly, still with the passing of the Boogaloo craze and the evolution of Salsa begining Willie Rodriguez cut some great music containing all the feel with the required swing and bounce within. The title which is written by Willie was a bit of a hit and the lyrics concerning Willie's dog Soogie have a mild explicitness with the use of the word pee and although we could think of many worse, back in those times it was out of the ordinary which the radio station at the time complained about when featuring his new album.There is a mix of styles and rythmns contained within bringing to the album great variety with plenty of solo's and actually on the last track it is pure improvision with the Descarga "Salsa Con Willie Rodriguez" written by Willie in the studio at the session and recorded in one shot with great results.Over the years Willie would play with Richie Ray, Chivirico Davilla, and even Joe Loco the piano player who would Mambo anything hence the name Loco but Joe although forgotten as well lead a quartet but technically a trio as two members were for percussion and the other bass with Joe's piano throughout the fifties. Yes Willie had the required talent and know how with his music but although not a flash in the pan he still was not around not that long and it is these little obscure albums that are a treasure to find and this one is quite good.

The title is first, "My Dog Soogie" with the repitition of "ay Soogie,my dog Soogie" and Frankie Figueuro is actually narrating the verses in English with the required lingual content and style from this period and it just one of those wonderful tunes with the horns constanly kicking in and out, the coros singing the verses with the hookey lyrics contained within and as Frankie says, "when he sees a tree he lifts his leg to Peeeeeee"."La Puerta Del Dolor" we are back in a more traditional Latin sound in this Guaguanco and Frankie just sings this one beautifully and the band are just exquisite with the backing but Frankie Figuero knew when to hit the notes and he does it beautifully. The following another Guaguanco, "El Chivo" just keeps that swing coming throughout the album and with the rythmn slowing up at the end for the montuno the groove just keeps rolling along in this Cuban flavoured tune. Another Guaguanco follows and I just love them all but this one is not listed in the albums track listing on the cd cover and must have been missed by mistake because it sure was listed on the original record release being "Bravo" which is then followed by "Los Callos De Dolores" which is actually track five and not four as listed on the cd cover and the tracks are one out henceforth but no matter really, one could always say it is a hidden track and being good who's complaining anyway. We get a change next with Frankie having a crack at the Bolero "Porque Yo Te Amo" and although I love his vocals he sounds a bit strained here for me and maybe if he had held a little back with the songs high points but there are not too many albums that one likes every song and things improve dramatically again when we get the following Son tune written by Joe Loco, "Al Compas Del Guiro" and the band are back in full swing which keeps coming with the next "Paul's Thing" and the Jazz is right here with this one containing a terrific sax solo. The last track being one ripper of a Descarga which I mentioned above was cut in one take and most likely written five minutes before by Willie Rodriguez in this barnstormer with a great terrific trumpet solo not from Willie but Victor Pazz. The coros with flute are the begining and some one yells "hey Joe" when the piano solo commences and is it the Joe Loco? No matter because we get great percussion work to follow next in this great barnstorming album finisher.

This was taken of a record, when one listens close you can hear the pops as well we have one track omitted from the listing but is on the album. There are hardly any album notes and it looks like bugger all money was spent on the reissue but the music is at the other end of the spectrum being wonderfully fresh even today. This album I recommmend to anyone who likes good Latin music and also for those groove collectors out there, "Soogie and Salsa Con Willie Rodriguez" are right up you alley. Grab this one before it goes out of print because when it does it is highly unlikely to be released again as many of the old Mary Lou reissues have disappeared already.