Posted on July 27, 2007

Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours
From The Badlands
Picaro Records - 2007

Review by Tomas Peña

Leave it to Papo Vazquez to come up with a title that evokes the image of riding shotgun through the streets of the Wild West! Actually, there is more to the title than meets the eye. According to Papo, “I grew up in ‘the badlands’ of North Philly. My father owned the neighborhood bodega and we were the only Puerto Ricans in the hood during the early 70s.”

In line with that, Papo never strays far from his roots. The recording opens up with a raw, powerful tune dedicated to the Mighty MFs, a North Philly street gang; Yuba’donbe celebrates the enduring connection between Puerto Rico and Africa via the Congo, The Enemy Within, Si Seňor Bob and Bomba En El Monte showcases the band’s ability to fuse variations of Puerto Rican Bomba with jazz; Lina’s Waltz is a jazz/waltz that highlights the group’s softer side, El Macanaso (featuring vocalist Herman Olivera) spins the story of a routine traffic stop that goes awry, Donde Esta Juan is a heartfelt “homenaje” (tribute) to the Puerto Rican trumpet player, “Juancito” Torres (1936-2003). Perhaps the most thought provoking tune is Los Mediocres. Among other things, it addresses such weighty issues as man’s inhumanity to man and the pitfalls of believing that less is more. From the Badlands is oozing with music that will get you riled up, makes you want to dance, rail against the system and rejoice.

As always, Papo surrounds himself with today’s finest musicians (the usual suspects plus a few invited guests); Sherman Irby (alto sax and flute); Willie Williams (alto and tenor sax); Freddie Mc Farlane, Edsel Gomez (piano); Ricky Rodriguez (bass), Anthony Carrillo, Richie Flores, Juan Gutierrez and Milton Cardona (percussion), Henry Cole, Victor Jones (traps), Nelson Jaime (trumpet, invited guest), Edgar Miranda (cuatro, invited guest), Freddie Mc Farlane (piano, invited guest), vocalist Herman Olivera and a cameo appearance by former Young Lord, Felipe Luciano.

If that weren’t enough, a reliable source has informed me that Papo’s next recording has been completed and is ready to roll. Without giving too much away, the project will feature the Mighty Pirates, a world-class 19-piece orchestra performing contemporary Puerto Rican music, jazz and (what Papo calls) Sambomba.

If you are wondering what this pirate “thing” is all about, Papo says it this way: “I have been thinking about it for some time, and it came to me… a Pirate Troubadour is someone who steals your musical allegiance”. Looking back, Papo has come a long way since he left the mean streets of North Philly. As a musician, composer and arranger he has performed and collaborated with everyone who is anyone in the music business: Hector Lavoe, Chico O’ Farrill, Wayne Shorter, Tito Puente; Dizzy Gillespie; Manny Oquendo; Hilton Ruiz; Freddie Cole; Pharoah Sanders; Ray Barretto; Juan Luis Guerra; Shakira and Wyclef Jean, among others.

In a world where mediocrity reigns supreme, it’s reassuring to know that cultural warriors like Papo Vazquez are fighting the good fight and keeping it real.

Visit Papo Vazquez at: www.papovazquez.com

Selected Discography:

AS A LEADER:
Carnival in San Juan (Cubop Records, 2003)
At The Point, Vol. 1 & 2, Live (Cubop Records, 2000)
Breakout! (Timeless Records, 1999)

AS A SIDEMAN:
Ray Barretto – Standards Rican-ditioned (Zoho, 2006)
Wayne Shorter – Alegria (2003 Grammy Winner)
Chico O’ Farrill – Pure Emotion (Fantasy)
Manny Oquendo and Libre  -