Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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AMERICA, Charanga

Flute, strings, rhythm section and voices charanga band formed in NYC by Maysonet family '77. Director, conguero, producer George H. Maysonet (b 19 April '38, Cata¤o, Puerto Rico) began career with charanga of Alfredito Vald‚s '58; played with bands of Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Rosario, Orquesta Broadway, Tipica Novel (later called Orquesta Novel), others. His wife Margaret sings co-lead vocals and chorus; their sons are Elliot (timbales, bongo, campana, chorus, clave) and George Jr (conga, timbales). Debut album George Maysonet And Charanga America '78 on El Sonido incl. big hit 'Ayudame San Antonio' penned by Cuban vocalist/percussionist/composer Rafael 'Felo' Barrio, who shared lead vocals with Gene Hern ndez; Barrio, who worked with Orquesta Broadway '70s, '80s, performed on all but one of America's albums '80--89; Panamanian flautist/saxist Mauricio Smith produced the LP; Nestor Torres played flute. Hern ndez went on to make three LPs for Alegre leading his own charanga Novedades: Gene Hern ndez y Novedades con Amor '78, prod. by Louie Ramirez, Inspiraciones '79, the noteworthy El Sabor de 'Gene' '81 with Novedades augmented by three trombones; Luis 'Perico' Ortiz prod., co-arr., played on latter two. Meanwhile America signed with Top Hits (TH) for two albums: Comiendose A Nueva York '80, prod. by George, and Charanga America '81, co-prod. by George; Dominican singer/composer Jos‚ Bello shared lead vocals on both LPs, then went solo with Lo Mejor Presenta: Jos‚ Bello y su Orquesta '81, Jos‚ Bello y su Orquesta '83 and Expresa E Interpreta Sus Sentimientos '84, all on Lo Mejor, later followed by B & B Records presenta A Jos‚ Bello '89 on B & B and Cantautor '95 on Exclusivo. America continued with two LPs on Combo prod. by label boss Ralph Cartagena: Y Algo Mas '83 and The Very Best '85; followed by Siempre Con Sabor! '89 on El Abuelo. Notable personnel incl. African-American first violinist/arr./founder member Eddie Drennon, who played on all their albums '78--89; vocalist/timbalero H‚ctor 'Tempo' Alomar (see Libre), who performed on band's '80--83 LPs; Willie Rodriguez, piano on '80--81 LPs, joined Libre '83; flautist/saxist Bobby Nelson, who played on '80--83 albums (flautist Gustavo Cruz replaced him on '85--9 LPs); Jorge Maldonado, lead vocals on '83--9 albums. They gig consistently; held 14th anniversary party at NYC's Sweetwaters nightclub Jan. '91.