RICARDO RAY "Jala Jala y Boogaloo" ORIG 1967 LP Latin, Salsa, Alegre LPA-857 VG+

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SIDE A

1. RICHIE'S JALA-JALA-5:00

2. BABY DON'T YOU CRY-4:15

3. COLOMBIA'S BOOGALOO-4:15

4. STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN—2:16

5. LO ATARE LA ARACHE 4:55

SIDE B

1. CABO E-4:19

2. GENTLE RAIN-4.47

3. 3 AND 1 MOZAMBIQUE

-5:05

4. BOMBA CAMARA—5:05

When we at Alegre Records rolled out the red carpet to welcome Ricardo Ray, we had no idea how great his first Alegre release "ON THE LOOSE" would be, and the dynamic impact and significant change that his album was to bring about in the field of Latin-American music. We treated it as another of Ricardo Ray's great musical accomplishments,

.. but the

album was more than that. It was the spark that brought to the Latin people the biggest, newest,

"happening"

dance

craze Latin music has ever known — "The Bugaloo." In his own words, "to me, the Bugaloo has been an instrument with which I have tried to bring a new meaning to the word Latin-American. According to Webster's Third New Unabridged International Dictionary, the word 'Latin-American' is defined as:"A native or inhabitant of Latin-America." I find this definition lacking when viewed today in the United States.

Latin-American, to me, means just what it says — a people, or culture, or art that is, at the same time, both Latin and Amer-ican. This may not be the original meaning of the word, and I am by no means an authority on the matter, but this is the way I see it, and it's what I am trying to express with my music."

... And just to clarify a point lest there be any doubt as to where Latin Bugaloo originated or who is credited for bringing it to the Latin-American scene - especially in view of the fact that so many Latin orchestras are now playing it, "may your doubts cease and desist, Pilgrim" - for it was Richie Ray in his first Alegre LP "SE SOLTO" with such tunes as,

"Lookie! Lookie!," "Azucare Y Bongo," "Yare Chango," and

"Danzon Bugaloo."

The Bugaloo itself, has been around for a while. It is a form of Rhythm and Blues, and like all forms of jazz, and "soul" music, it was originated by the American Negro. Latin Bugaloo has since been adopted by all the major Latin-American orchestras and has spread the popularity of Latin music to areas where it was little known until now.

To many, the closing of the world famous "Palladium" at 53rd Street and Broadway, symbolized the end of the

"Golden Era" of Latin music. On the surface, Latin music seemed to be drifting into oblivion. However, with the advent of Latin Bugaloo, it is not uncommon for a Latin record to

"break" into the "Pop" market, and be accepted and enjoyed by the American public throughout the country — a feat which in the past was only accomplished in rare instances. Many Latin Bugaloo singles are now being accepted and played on the biggest and most popular American radio stations, and their number increases daily. All of this of course, has given the Latin American scene a "shot in the arm," and it has greatly increased the sales of Latin recordings.

Although much more could be said about Ricardo Ray's first Alegre release "SE SOLTO," and the significant effect it has had on the entire Latin American musical scene, we are more interested here, in this, his second, and what we feel is to date, the greatest recording he has ever made - "Jala-Jala and Bugaloo." We feel that this album is not only a good recording by Ricardo Ray, but perhaps, one of the best albums to be released on the Latin record market in many years.

Of course, as is the case in the production of any refined product, this album could not have been produced as well as it was, without efficient and qualified supervision. Credit in this department should be given to the experienced guidance