Eddie Palmieri – Vámonos Pa’l Monte (Tico/Fania, 1971)

Eddie Palmieri (p, el p); Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros (tr); Charles Camilleri (tr); Victor Paz (tr); Jose Rodrigues (tb); Pete Yellin (ts); Ronnie Cuber (bs); Bob Vianco (g); Charlie Palmieri (org); Eladio Perez (cga); Nick Marrero (d,  cga, tim); Raymond "Monchito" Muñoz (perc); Arturo Franquiz (claves, vo); Ismael Quintana (vo); Elliot Romero (vo); Justo Betancourt (vo); Marcelino Guerra (vo); Mario "Papaito" Muñoz Salazar (vo); Santos Colón (vo); Yayo "El Indio" Pequero (vo)

Recorded in 1971

I was completely unfamiliar with Eddie Palmieri when I began this project.  Now, I am a huge fan.  I think many jazz fans overlook him.  I know I did.  What a mistake!  Don't deny yourself the opportunity to hear this man's music!  He's a giant and the music is like nothing else I've ever heard, either in jazz or Latin music.  For an excellent overview of Palmieri's career, check out this article in the music magazine Wax Poetics, "Pianist Eddie Palmieri is a True Latin-Music Visionary."

My choice of Vámonos Pa’l Monte may surprise listeners who are familiar with Palmieri's music.  I know that The Sun of Latin Music (Coco, 1974) and Unfinished Masterpiece (Coco, 1975) are the acknowledged Palmieri "classics" -- but I'm much more drawn to the three that preceded those two: Super-Imposition (Tico, 1970), Vamonos Pal Monte, and Sentido (Mango/Coco, 1973).  Part of the reason I prefer the earlier records is due to the singers.  I much prefer Ismael Quintana's voice over Lalo Rodriguez's. (After recording Sentido, Quintana left Palmieri to lead his own group with on the Fania label.)  Quintana's voice is a connection to the past and La Perfecta, Palmieri's influential trombone-focused band featuring Barry Rogers.  

Also, listen to Eddie's brother Charlie Palmieri play the organ on Vámonos Pa’l Monte. It's so strange and unique and wonderful. I don't think Charlie ever sounded better than he does here. His contributions are an essential element of the record.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I love the compositions on Vámonos Pa’l Monte. Every cut is excellent, but the album grabs you from the first track.  "Revolt/La Libertad Logico" is a Latin anthem of protest, expressing a desire for equality and fair treatment, comparable to music being made by many African-Americans at the time.  On the other hand, the title cut expresses a desire to get away from it all, to spend time in the mountains, away from the conflict and strife.

More Eddie Palmieri
If I hadn't chosen Vámonos Pa’l Monte, I would've probably picked Sentido, which I think captures Palmieri's exploratory "Latin-Jazz Mad-Scientist" thing as well as any of his records.  Just listen to the cuts "Adoracion" and "Cosas Del Alma"!  ... That said, you owe it to yourself to hear Palmieri's music from beginning to the present.  He was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2013 for good reason!