Chango

1975 USA

Review originally published in Gnosis on August 15, 2002. Edited on September 13, 2007.

Imagine yourself walking the barrios in Queens, New York circa 1975. Bums, pushers, hookers, street musicians and the smell of tortas vendors. You see a small club, it has a name like "Enrique's Hell Hole," you venture in. Torches are lit high as you tiptoe over the junkies and avoid the needles scattered about the floor. On stage are six seriously fried dudes, cranking out some of the most intense music to have ever been performed on these shores. Two percussionists and a drummer drive the speedy pulse, while organ, bass and guitar roar, slash and sing. This is all Chango's first album and for anyone who likes the early Santana vibe, then you are in for a treat, because Chango treaded a new path at the point where Santana went fusion. This could be Santana IV, the culmination of all the best Carlos could muster. A high water mark for heavy Latin groove rock. This album has it all, the screaming Carlos guitar sustain fuzz chops, the swirling Hammond organ, the speed freak machismo lead singer that all the messed up chicks were swooning for. And, of course, those danceable rhythms that even an uptight white guy might make note of. The lyrics are just what you want from this kind of album: Sex, life-in-the-ghetto, grade-school mysticism and well....... sex.

Right off the bat, you're pulverized with "Fire Over Water" followed by the eight minute "Walk on Hell". Really, do I need to describe these tracks? Put the environment, instrumentation, song titles and influences together and you've got an aural vision. Many of the songs are catchy too - you'll be humming them for days. "Caminando", "Solid Karma" and especially "Mira Pa 'Ca" just have KILLER melodies. But where Chango excels is in the instrumentals like the pounding "Bollo" and "Bembe" plus the beautiful "Sacapa." But the best is possibly saved for last. The nine minute title track combines relentless energy, tuneful melodies and fiery instrumental playing. It's awe-inspiring. Careful though, as you may find yourself in a big heap afterwards.

How this album missed the big time is somewhat of a mystery to me. Being that it was released in 1975, perhaps it was too late for the early Santana sound. I'm also guessing that ABC records, not known for their marketing muscle, had no idea how to promote it. There are very few albums that contain this kind of energy and instrumental virtuosity and combines that with a strong melodic sense. A true masterpiece and one of underground America's most proud moments.

See more reviews here