with With Strangers The Boogaloo Assassins name might hint at homicide, but their efforts are strictly life-saving. Dedicated to re-creating and re-interpreting the boogaloo craze that swept East Harlem, the Latin Caribbean and South America from 1965 to 1969, the Los Angeles nine-piece band attempts to do to R&B, doo-wop, Afro-Caribbean jazz and salsa fusion what the Dap Kings do to classic Stax soul.The last few years have seen a crucial and communal rehabilitation for the genre that was once derided by Salsa legend Eddie Palmieri as Latin Bubblegum. Originating from a short-lived dance phenomenon known for its frenetic freestyle of flailing limbs, boogaloo soon gained a Latin flavor in heavily Nuyorican Spanish Harlem. One of the most significant and seamless connections between Afro-Caribbean polyrhythms, Frankie Lymon-style doo-wop and Midwestern and Southern soul, it almost immediately attracted a diverse and widespread following behind such stars as Joe Cuba, Joe Bataan and Ray Barretto.Yet by the turn of the decade, the genre had fallen out of favor because of the rising tide of salsa and a blackballing initiated by radio DJs, promoters, labels and a resentful older generation of musicians. However, in recent years, albums once out of print have been reissued, earning bands new fans among crate diggers and the beard-and-flannel set– to say nothing of the modest but passionate fan base who passed their record collections on to their children.Although Los Angeles is notoriously replete with quality Latin-themed bands, only the Boogaloo Assassins vivify the sound that soared out of El Barrio more than 40 summers ago. In advance of the group’s performance at the Rootdown tonight and Sunset Junction on Saturday, piano player and co-founder Bill Purdy spoke to Pop & Hiss.Was it difficult to find talented players well-versed in the boogaloo sound or did the group form relatively organically via friends knowing friends, etc.?It started when [Boogaloo Assassins singer and co-founder] Chuck Farrar heard me playing montuno Cuban style piano and he and I soon discovered how much we loved that type of music. Pretty soon he started inviting people over to his house for informal jam sessions. After a few months, it solidified into an actual group. We all love salsa and Cuban jazz, but we decided to focus on boogaloo because it was something that we loved that very few people still played.What do you think it was about boogaloo music that initially earned it scorn from some critics?It had to do with politics of the period. Boogaloo was primarily being played by younger bands who were not like their parents’ generation. There was that sense of a threat to the old guard as younger boogaloo groups began getting better billings and gigs.Boogaloo music is essentially party music and it might not be as sophisticated harmonically as some of the Latin jazz from the period. Eddie Palmieri was a notoriously outspoken critic but he was going in a completely different direction from boogaloo. I think some critics may have found it too simple and perhaps too much of a pander to the audiences. Also, who knows exactly how deep the politics and payola were with the radio stations? Essentially, it died a quick death and New York salsa took over.Why do you think Los Angeles has proved to be a haven for a style of music that first took hold 43 years ago and 3,000 miles away?Los Angeles is a perfect place for it. In L.A., you have a reggae scene that Chuck [Farrar] and our horn players came out of. They really hold the Jamaican rocksteady and ska style in high regard and we were well-versed in trying to re-create a style of music authentically. It was about doing the music justice, but still having fun and putting our own spin on it. Los Angeles also has a vibrant rockabilly scene that operates in a similar vein to what we do.What do you think it is about the sound that has allowed it to endure?Theres no scientific formula; we play the stuff because we love it. But soon enough, we saw that we were on to something because we were playing big rooms filled with young people absolutely loving it. They hadnt heard any of the songs before but they felt it instantaneously. Theres something about its Latin groove thats so quintessentially a part of the fabric of the Americas. We play the rootsy stuff before it got cheesy. Were a party dance band; you dont have to be a Latin music aficionado to get it.Who would you say are the top boogaloo icons?Ray Barretto, Joe Cuba, Joe Bataan, Willie Colon, the Lebron Brothers, early Bobby Matos, Monguito Santamaria. We also play stuff with a salsa influence done by the Fania All-Stars, Cheo Feliciano, and the Alegre All Stars. Theres a lot of DJs and serious record collectors in the group, so you basically have crate diggers with deep collections of Latin vinyl.The band has also been writing original material. Has it been challenging to shift away from doing exclusively covers?Well, weve all written songs before but writing Latin songs was a challenge at first. But weve been writing and putting our own take on the Latin boogaloo. We havent tracked anything yet, but have definitely been writing new songs for an album.– Jeff Weiss
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Sponsored by: Project Hope Alliance Minimum age: 21 We are seeking Receptionist to support our staff, clients, and mission by accomplishing organizational tasks vital for day-today function. These tasks would include greeting visitors, answering phones, relaying messages, forwarding calls, and receiving donations. This individual would also take on a . . .
Sponsored by: Project Hope Alliance Minimum age: 21 We are seeking a Receptionist to support our staff, clients, and mission by accomplishing organizational tasks vital for day-today function. These tasks would include greeting visitors, answering phones, relaying messages, forwarding calls, and receiving donations. This individual would also take on . . .
Newport Beach Lau Kune Do Temple of Martial Arts 4th Anniversary Celebration and Demonstration Join us for a great afternoon in celebrating our 4th Anniversary! Family and friends are welcome to enjoy the performance as well as lunch with the students and their teacher, Sifu Paul McIntyre.
Hear about the history of this famous highway and why it is so important to preserve the Mother Road. Take a photo journey of
some of the many interesting sites to see along California Route 66 !
Seating is limited, for RESERVATIONS call (949) 631-5918.
Doors open at 2:00, program at 2:30. Free admission and
refreshments. We are located at 1870 Anaheim Ave. northwest
corner of the Lions Park complex. Visit www.costamesahistory.org for more information.
Upstream will be back @ the Black Knight in March. In full effect! Ready to get our wine on,yes yes yes. And you know we gonna have some fun!
Costa Mesa: FREE Raw Food Talk with Author Karen Ranzi, M.A.FruitluckSunday, March 20 at 5:00 PMJoin us for an informative and fun evening at Mother’s Market in Costa Mesa. First, let’s enjoy a meal together in Mother’s restaurant at 5:00 PM. Ord…http://www.meetup.com/Fruitluck/events/229244250/
Costa Mesa: SoCal Vegans MeetupSoCal VegansSunday, March 20 at 5:00 PMOn Sunday March 20th, all SoCal Vegans are invited to attend a special free event at the Mothers Market Restaurant in Costa Mesa, hosted by Alicia fro…http://www.meetup.com/SoCalVegan/events/229153934/
Beer and Hymns is a regular gathering of people enthusiastic about singing hymns with friends over drinks. No agenda but a good time.