The Perlich Post: New Bobby Marin comp offers an overview of his 60s/70s Latin productions

Monday, August 12, 2024

New Bobby Marin comp offers an overview of his 60s/70s Latin productions

VampiSoul's 24-song We've Got A Groovy Thing anthology spotlights the work of prolific Latin music producer Bobby Marin – it's much more than boogaloo.

Here's the scoop...

Those who read liner notes will know that Latin music producer Bobby Marin had a hand in some of the best boogaloo and salsa recordings of the '60s and '70s. Yet, until now, no one has explicitly put Bobby's name in the headline and given him his due on the cover of a properly credited Latin soul compilation. This compilation comprises 24 essential boogaloo, Latin funk, rock and Afro-disco gems, each one bearing the mark of quality: "A Bobby Marin Production," including songs by Ricardo Marrero, the Ghetto Brothers, Ocho, Louie Ramírez, and more. A freshly curated overview of his fascinatingly complex back catalog in these genres.

Generally, when discussing the "first wave" of Latin soul and boogaloo, it's the bands and their leaders, the singers and the songs that get all the recognition. But what of the producers, composers, and arrangers behind the music? Over the years, one of the best old-school New York Latin music producers, Bobby Marin, has occasionally been given some well-deserved credit and popped up sporadically in articles or liner notes (Wax Poetics, Fania, Gladys Palmera).

However, Bobby Marin is not a household name, even among fans of boogaloo and salsa. Thankfully, those rare few who are in the know are well aware of his work, and the fact that he was behind the scenes for some of the best boogaloo and salsa of the '60s and '70s. There are even some contemporary Latin soul compilations that contain mostly material licensed, produced and/or written by Bobby, and a tip of the hat must go to Bobby's friend Dean Rudland for all his work in this area, as well as to Rocafort Records for digging up the long-lost Nitty Gritty Sextet album.

This collection aims to change that and give the man his Latin soul "props" for the first time on a freshly curated overview of his fascinatingly complex back catalog in this genre. Also featuring Richie & The Ps 54 School Yard, 107th Street Stickball Team, Louie Ramírez & His Orchestra, Johnny Rodriguez & Angel René Orchestra, La Cucaracha Brass, Herbie Olivieri & The Latin Blues Band, Los Africanos, and La Crema. You can pre-order a copy of We've Got A Groovy Thing Going On: The Latin Soul of Bobby Marin from Forced Exposure mail order right here. Check out a few songs following the tracklisting below.