Barretto, Ray - Acid - 1967

[Roland Bru]

Ray Barretto is a percussionist of Puerto Rican origin, till his death in 2006. While retaining his Puerto Rican origin, he basically stopped being a percussionins the moment his heart stopped beating. Born in 1929 in New York. Before he could walk he started to play the congas, and never looked back. He was instrumental in the introduction of salsa music: music with a Caribbean flavour, but initiated in New York. His compositional and organisational skills greatly helped bringing the Fania record label into prominence.

Acid is his best record as a band leader and contains some of his best known songs: Mercy, mercy baby, A deeper shade of soul and The teacher of love. Although the song Acid is a bit trippy, please do not confuse this music with typical 'acid music' of the day (especially the San Francisco or Londond based varieties). This is mostly energetic up tempo music, great to start up a party where you want your guests to dance, to feel happy or both. Also, it's rather notable that no guitars are used on the entire album: it's percussion, trumpets, pianoa, bass and vocals. Nothing more needed!

If you want to broaden your musical interest check some music on Youtube and see if this is something for you...