This appears on Linares’s 1973 Sensacionales! album but I didn’t catch wind of it until I picked it up on 7″ first. I’m a huge fan of Linares’s work and so I was pleased and a bit stunned to realize that, unless I’m totally off-base, this is a cover of Bobby Matos’s “Nadie Baila Como Yo” (from his seminal My Latin Soul album of the mid/late ’60s). Matos isn’t credited (not an unusual happenstance) but certainly, there’s more than enough musical and lyrical evidence to suggest that Linares basically gives Matos’s original a salsa update. It’s still not nearly as deliriously fun as Matos’s song but I do like that Linares keeps elements of the boogaloo-influenced original, especially on rhythm piano.
– O-Dub
1. Alfredo Linares y su Salsa Star: Baila Montuno
Great music from Peruvian pianist Alfredo Linares – I have an earlier album of his and it’s always refreshing to hear South American’s straightforward/raw approach to salsa music. Also, a great big thanks to O-dub from Soul-Sides – not only has he been a regular contributor to the February 45’s sessions, but has been a huge supporter of my site since day 1 it seems. I am forever grateful for that. For all you Latin music loving fans, be sure to check out his latest post about Jimmy Sabater also – Yroco one of my favorites. Thanks Oliver!