Orquesta Aragon

EN ROUTE

(World Village Music)

On September 30, 1939 eight musicians came together in the town of Cienfuegos, which lies in the shadows of the Sierra del Escambray, under the direction of bassist Orestes Aragon. This gathering of musicians, none considered “professional”, came together for the purpose of providing music for a house party. The band took on the name of Ritmica del 39, only to change it a year later to Orquesta Aragon.

It is now 62 years since that very first engagement and Aragon is still here swinging as hard as they did back then, maintaining that flavor and energy, and most importantly keeping the crowds on the dance floors whenever possible.

EN ROUTE is the debut release of World Village Music, and they couldn’t have kicked it off with a finer ensemble. After sixty-two years Aragon continues to maintain a fresh approach to the music it interprets so well, keeping the traditional charanga format vivaciously viable.

EN ROUTE features fourteen tracks, which cover the full spectrum of the genre rhythmically (danzon, son, bolero, guaracha, cha onda, and more). And, as if not to be discounted in the new millennium, they also include a pretty funky tune combining hip-hop with cha-cha-cha. The disc closes with a descarga version of “A Gozar La Vida”, which the ensemble uses as a vehicle to showcase the rhythm section.

Under the musical direction of its present leader, violinist Rafael Lay, Jr., Orquesta Aragon continues to forge ahead always honoring the traditions brought to them through the endeavors of those that came before them. In the tradition of Orestes Aragon, Rafael Lay, Richard Egües, and Rafael “Felo” Bacallao, Orquesta Aragon continues to please the listener and dancer, and that’s what its all about.

 

- George Rivera

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