Amazing stuff – and the
beginning of a strong tradition
of west coast funky Latin groups! El Chicano were one
of a number
of groups to emerge from LA
of the 60s – rising forth on a wave
of Mexican American pride to come up with a west coast version
of the Latin Soul sound that had been emanating from Spanish Harlem a few years earlier. The group had an organ-heavy sound that first scored big on their rendition
of Gerald Wilson's "Viva Tirado" – done as a single by the group with a stepping jazz beat that was missing from the earlier version, which worked great with their bubbly organ sound. The album was recorded to follow up the hit – done as a live set after hours at the Kabuki Sukiyaki Restaurant in south LA, and filled with tight jazzy covers 60s groovers like "Cantaloupe Island", "Eleanor Rigby", "Hurt So Bad", and "Coming Home Baby". The record's also got an amazing version
of "Quiet Village" – and while it may not be as Latin as some
of the group's later work, it's the
beginning of a great tradition, and has a sound that was copied endlessly – but rarely matched!