{"product_id":"the-ghetto-brothers-power-fuerza","title":"The Ghetto Brothers Power-Fuerza","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eSHORT\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eTEXT\u003c\/span\u003e: A brilliant mix of Latin rock and funky garage rock in the late 60s vein of \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eSANTANA\u003c\/span\u003e or Peruvians \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eLAGHONIA\u003c\/span\u003e with captivating songs and a high class musicianship presented by a bunch of young Puerto Ricans living on the steamy, loud and dirty streets of the \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eSOUTH\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eBRONX\u003c\/span\u003e \/ \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eNYC\u003c\/span\u003e. A must have for all fans of the above mentioned acts with a sound as fresh and vivid as back in the day this gem was released. Produced by Bobby Marin.     \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/span\u003e: When you see some dude having listed an album for sale somewhere for the utterly crazy price of 7500 US$ saying in the item description that he actually does not even want to sell it due to being his favorite piece of music ever, it really must be something special. When you check for other auctions and sales and find this goodie being sold regularily for 650 to 1200 US$, you get your first impression confirmed. This is indeed a really special album. \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eTHE\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eGHETTO\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eBROTHERS\u003c\/span\u003e were not initially a rock band when they formed in the Bronx \/ \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eNYC\u003c\/span\u003e back in the late 60s. They were a street gang with mainly Puerto Rican members with a rather political attitude. For example they tried to uplift young black and hispanic people or even stood in between rival gangs to make a truce work. They were certainly not only good guys concerning their actions as they used to plunder a local music store, Mary Lou Records, from time to time where then young Bobby Marin, a leading figure in the field of 1960s Boogaloo music and later on famous record producer up to the present day, used to work in. As the store owner thought about using a shotgun to solve that problem, Bobby Marin convinced him not to do so to avoid that anybody gets hurt and took the chance to speak personally with the gang leader Benji Mendelez who turned out to be the lead singer of a band formed by members of the \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eGHETTO\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eBROTHERS\u003c\/span\u003e. Meanwhile Benji Mendelez found out about Bobby’s engagement in the music industry and both made an agreement. Bobby would produce an album by \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eTHE\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eGHETTO\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eBROTHERS\u003c\/span\u003e and this is what we now will talk about. In what way is this an outstanding gem of Latin American funky rock music from the steamy, loud and dirty streets of the South Bronx \/ \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eNYC\u003c\/span\u003e? Well, it is of course rare as golddust in its original pressing. This is an aspect that makes it interesting for collectors of 70s Music and the seed from which the legendary reputation grows. But does the music really match with the status the album enjoys among music lovers? It does. My first impression was that \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eTHE\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eGHETTO\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eBROTHERS\u003c\/span\u003e were a very talented band mixing earthy garage rock with the one or another occasional fuzz guitar and Latin American sounds and atmospheres to create an exciting, simmering version of current rock music. The garage rock stamp still fits perfectly with this album as the sound is quite basic and vivid, just as if you were standing with the band in a dusty basement room where they either rehearse or play a show to a crowd of frantic youngsters. The music itself is quite relaxed in most parts, with the one or another exception. “Got this happy feeling” sticks out with flashing rhythms and a cheerful lead vocal line upon a bed of likewise flashing guitars with a funky touch. So these funky elements also make you realize that there is more behind than meets the ear. And when the band goes into sheer groove passages with the percussions and drums taking over the lead role, I am certain nobody will be left on his seat. This song reminds me of a more primitive version, if I can say this, of what \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eSANTANA\u003c\/span\u003e did a couple of years prior during the time they released their debut album and played Woodstock. And indeed these Puerto Ricans have the talent even to be on par with good old Carlos and his mates, who already were super heroes by the time \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eTHE\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eGHETTO\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eBROTHERS\u003c\/span\u003e released their sole album. No idea who even might be the greater in terms of musicianship and composition values but with a major production this album would probably have given \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eSANTANA\u003c\/span\u003e a run for their money. But gang life is tough and casualties appeared leading the band to the land of myths and fables. But with many folks who love this music the band stayed for nearly 50 years and this reissue on \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eEVERLAND\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eRECORDS\u003c\/span\u003e happens as always at the right time to keep the flame burning brightly and maybe even brighter than ever. A few old members, including leader Benji Mendelez, are no longer with us to enjoy the late success of this masterpiece but those who remain will. If you like Latin garage rock such as \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eLAGHONIA\u003c\/span\u003e from Peru, this is the real deal for you. Grab your copy and celebrate life as this is what \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eTHE\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eGHETTO\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eBROTHERS\u003c\/span\u003e always had in mind. \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eTRACKLIST\u003c\/span\u003e: 1. Girl From The Mountain \/ 2. There Is Something In My Heart \/ 3. Got This Happy Feeling \/ 4. Mastica Chupa Y Jala \/ 5. You Say You Are My Friend \/ 6. Viva Puerto Rico Libre \/ 7. I Saw A Tear \/ 8. Ghetto Brothers Power\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eLatin rock at it’s best and most intense from the streets of the South Bronx \/ \u003cspan class=\"caps\"\u003eNYC\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eAn album made for those freak out to Santana or Peruvians Laghonia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eA legendary yet long lost crown jewel from the early 70s latin rock underground\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eProduced by Bobby Marin, the godfather of boogaloo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eOriginal copies from 1972 fetch utterly insane prices among collectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eExcellent sound and performance by high class professional musicians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eLong awaited and overdue rerelease on vinyl and CD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eFully licensed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eRemastered audio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eLP housed in a superheavy 430 g art carton cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eCD housed in a beautiful digipak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\t\u003cli\u003eUltimate collectors item for fans of early 70s latin rock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e Everland 011 CD -Artist-The Ghetto Brothers\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal ID: JIT\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenre: Latin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandling Note: **Please allow an additional 5 business days for this item's shipment.**\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat: CD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat Detail: CD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReleased: 6\/5\/19\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"The Ghetto Brothers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53427047792824,"sku":"7MAXEZ-QB7V-Z5","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/9222\/8280\/files\/the-ghetto-brothers-power-fuerza_4gNoG.jpg?v=1777646985","url":"https:\/\/musicrecordshop.com\/products\/the-ghetto-brothers-power-fuerza","provider":"Music Record Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}