Can you recommend some El Gran Combo?

[looyenyeo]

Hi all,

It's time for me to expand my back-collection of music. Top of the list are tracks from El Gran Combo. Second is Sonora Ponceña.

Are there any cooking dance tracks from them that you'd recommend in particular? Both groups aren't played very much here in Sheffield, and I thought I'd take it upon myself to educate the masses the next time I DJ.

Loo

[Sagitta]

In the All time greatest salsa hits - your picks thread (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=220&highlight=el+gran+combo)Borikensalsero recommended

La Loma Del Tamarindo - Gran Combo
Ojos Chinos - El Gran Combo
Grandes Exitos of Sonora Poncena album on track #1

Hothousesalsero recommended for El Gran Combo: "Me Libere" "La Muerte" "Los Tenis"

....

[borikensalsero]

Ok, here is the thing with el gran combo. Speaking of late 60s on, any one CD you get from them will be an automatic hit. They are pretty much just about the only salsa group ever who can sing a different song for a week straight and have them all be hits, the other only group that can claim close to that repertoir is Sonora Matancera and only because they've been around for 70 years. Even then, el gran combo is it.

Make sure that when you buy El gran combo CDs, you look for the lead singers (Early to mid 70s stuff) to be mainly Andy Montañez and Pellin Rodriguez, who I think left in the early 70s as well. In my opinion, those where the absolute greatest moments for el gran combo. (I just like Andy a lot). That isn't meant to take away from Charlie Aponte and other singers who currently sing for La Universidad de la Salsa, becuase they are absolutely fantastic as well.

OK, here are some songs that you need to have From el Gran Combo. Do you speak spanish? To get the full jist of what el Gran Combo is about you need to know spanish. Their lyrics are funny, sad, eloquent, and anything you can imagine. (if you find one that you like you can PM me and I'll translate if for you) that is if you don't speak spanish. Their lyrics actually make their songs that much better.

1-Vagabundo (One of my Fav), 2- Un Verano En Nueva York, 3- Trampolin, 4- A La Reina, 5- Acangana (name of first release, and delayed in NY and PR because of the assassination of Kennedy), 6- Brujeria (One of my Fav), 7- Amor Brutal, 8- Azuquita P'al Cafe, 9 - Carbonerito, 10- Con Eso, 11- Cubaniche Adentro, 12- Dime Que Quieres, 13- El Amor Es Ciego, 14- El Caballo Pelotero, 15- El Menu, 16- El Negrito, 17- El Son De Santurce (One of my fav), 18- El Swing (both old and new version) I love this song because of what it says, 19- Eso No Es Dificil Na, 20- Goyito Sabater, 21- Guaguanco Del Gran Combo, 22- Ja la Ja la, 23- La Fiesta De Polito, 24- Las Hojas Blancas, 25- Lamento Jibaro :cry: 26- Lo Que Dios Me Dio, 27- Que me lo den en vida, 28- Los Tenis, 29- Me Libere, 30- Me Muero Por Ella, 31- Mujer Celosa, 32- No Hay Cama Pa Tanta Gente, 33- Ojos Chinos (One of my Fav), 34- La Loma Del Tamarindo (One of my Fav), 35- Que Cosasa Tendran (One of my Fav), 36- Resignacion, 37- Se Me Fue, 38- Se Nos Perdio El Amor, 39- Serrana, 40- Telephone, 41- Timbalero, 42- Y No Hago Mas Na (One of my Fav) I think they made it for my dad. They really describe him on this song to a "T"... 42- Don Goyo, 43- Le Dicen Papa

CDs to buy,
1- El Nuevo Milenio Mismo Sabor
2- 40th anniversary (Puerto Rico Edition)
3- Lo Mejor del gran combo Vol 2
4- 35 Aniversario 35 years around the world
5- Las 15 mejores
6- Los 40 del Gran Combo (all early stuff) Different from the 40th anniv.

I'm so sorry I went nuts. I figure you can find the songs on the net and listen to them. I love La Unviersidad De La Salsa. Ok, the one thing to know about el gran combo is that they do not play NY City style classic salsa. They play pure Puertorican style salsa, which is mellower. A lot of salsa fans argue it has the most flavor of any salsa style. They, as well, used to play Bomba and Plena, so all of their stuff from the early days (60s) will be largely that as well as other sounds. It is so because they formed from the break up of Cortijos band in 62, which was Puerto Rico’s most famous band in the 50s playing bomba.

Descarga.com I believe actually sells their entire album collection. One very much worth every penny they ask for.

[looyenyeo]

Thanks a lot for the help, that's exactly what I needed. I'm off now to listen to some samples - Gonna put some more swing and soul into Sheffield's salsa scene.

Loo