Search - Eddie Palmieri :: Echando Pa'lante (Straight Ahead)

Vintage La Perfecta

Ramon Melendez | Anaheim, CA USA | 03/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of Eddie's little known gems. Back in 1973 when I first listened to this album it was already a classic and not easy to find. I played trombone in a a garage salsa band back home in PR. We played mostly Willie Colon tunes. One day my uncle handed me this album and "Mozambique", he knew what we have been missing. When we heard the trombones come in on "Echando Pa'lante" we were stunned we couldn't believe our ears. Then we heard "Cafe" and that was it. This was the real deal, the band all the other trombone bands played second fiddle to.



La perfecta sound in this album is particularly clean and tight but with a feeling of sparseness and space. This session is not as explosive as "Mozambique" or "Molasses" still is a small band with a lot of drive and an absolute classic. Here you will find all the good things that made old salsa so enjoyable: Eddie's relentless and driving piano, heavy handed, pulsating percussion, clean and sharp brass playing infectious riffs, great singing and more importantly solos and descargas that bring excitement to the dancers and listeners alike. This is Vintage La Perfecta it doesn't get any better than this."

An indispensable CD for any serious salsa collector.

Justo Roteta | Los Angeles, California United States | 08/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1964 release is truly indispensable if you are into "Salsa Dura". The opening track ("Si Echo Palante") starts off as a fiery guaguanco callejero but ends up as a son montuno. There are also some nice danzon-chas and cha-cha-chas. Ismael Quintana's vocals and improvisations are superb (as usual) and the band's playing is tight."