Product details
- Label Columbia
- Artist Fania All Stars
- Format 1LP
- Country United States
- Released Date 1977
- Genre Jazz
- Sealed Yes
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Rhythm Machine by Fania All Stars.
There is a particular kind of magic that happens when the Fania All Stars step into a studio, and "Rhythm Machine" captures that energy in full. This is a Fania Records production, and it carries the weight of that legendary name, gathering an extraordinary roster of players who could each command a stage on their own. What they build together here is something bigger than any one of them, a swirling, propulsive statement of Latin sound meeting sophisticated studio craft.
The album opens with "Ella Fue (She Was The One)" and moves through "En Orbita," "Awake," and a treatment of "Peanuts (The Peanut Vendor)" that closes out the A side. Flip it over and you get "Jubileo," "Verão Vermelho," "Steady (Fijo)," and the memorable "Juan Pachanga (Daylight)," a run of tracks that lets the ensemble stretch out and show just how many directions they can pull a rhythm.
The personnel list reads like a summit meeting. The rhythmic foundation is anchored by Bobby Valentin on bass and Gary King on electric bass, with Roberto Roena on bongos and percussion, Mongo Santamaria on congas, and Nicky Marrero on timbales bringing the deep percussive language that defines the Fania sound. Behind the kit you have both Allan Schwartzberg and Rick Marotta on drums, giving these arrangements their driving pulse.
The horn and reed sections are just as loaded. Barry Rogers, David Taylor, Paul Faulise, and Wayne Andre stack the trombones, while the trumpet chairs are filled by Alan Rubin, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, and Ray Maldonado. Eddie Daniels and Joe Farrell handle flute, and Johnny Pacheco adds flute, percussion, and vocals to the mix. On guitars, Eric Gale, John Tropea, and Lance Quinn trade off, while the keyboards come courtesy of Ken Ascher and Pat Rebillot, with Papo Lucca on piano lending his unmistakable touch.
Behind the boards, this record has serious pedigree. Bob James serves as executive producer, while Jay Chattaway takes on production, arrangement, and conducting duties, shaping all these voices into cohesive, hard swinging arrangements. Joe Jorgensen engineered the sessions, capturing the full dynamic range of an ensemble this size without ever letting the detail get lost. The runouts on this pressing are stamped.
For collectors chasing the crossover era of Latin jazz, "Rhythm Machine" is an essential document of the Fania All Stars at their most ambitious. It rewards close listening and it rewards a loud room. Drop the needle and let this remarkable cast of musicians do what they do best.
Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Ella Fue (She Was The One)
A2. En Orbita
A3. Awake
A4. Peanuts (The Peanut Vendor)
B1. Jubileo
B2. Verão Vermelho
B3. Steady (Fijo)
B4. Juan Pachanga (Daylight)
Credits:
Bobby Valentin - Bass
Roberto Roena - Bongos, Percussion
Mongo Santamaria - Congas
Allan Schwartzberg - Drums
Rick Marotta - Drums
Gary King - Electric Bass
Eric Gale - Electric Guitar
John Tropea - Electric Guitar
Lance Quinn - Electric Guitar
Joe Jorgensen - Engineer
Bob James - Executive-Producer
Eddie Daniels - Flute
Joe Farrell - Flute
Johnny Pacheco - Flute, Percussion, Vocals
Ken Ascher - Keyboards
Pat Rebillot - Keyboards
Papo Lucca - Piano
Jay Chattaway - Producer, Arranged By, Conductor
Nicky Marrero - Timbales
Barry Rogers - Trombone
David Taylor - Trombone
Paul Faulise - Trombone
Wayne Andre - Trombone
Alan Rubin - Trumpet
Jon Faddis - Trumpet
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Ray Maldonado - Trumpet
Notes:
A Fania Records Production
Runouts are stamped.
Artist: Fania All Stars
Format: 1LP
Genre: Jazz
Label: Columbia
Catalog Number: PC 34711
Release Year: 1977
Country: United States
Condition: Sealed (New)
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