Rica Obsesion – A Night At The Park

The annual Chicago Summer Dance Events is something we look forward to every summer. Summer nights light up with excitement when dancers from every part of the city show up to demonstrate their latest moves or just go there for a free night out of Salsa. One of the bands called to service this year is Rica Obsesion. The band who, has been around for several years are out of Chicago and is led by brothers Dennis and Byron Calito, who do an outstanding job of bringing together a fusion of old school salsa along with the modern sounds of the day. You can’t help but get on your feet or simply sit back enjoy the free concert when they play – if that’s your thing. Rica Obsesion was up to the task this year and did not disappoint. Playing many cuts out of their album entitled, “Rica Obsesion – Llego Mi Turno,” the band charged the crowd with their synchronized percussion and solid horn rifts. Obviously, they are on our “A” list of top Chicago Salsa Bands. We recommend them highly if you want to hear a band that knows how to bring it home. Be sure and check them out. 

Patrona Divina - Joe "Chocolate" Hurtado Y Sus Estrellas

Today, we feature another album from the 80s that was recorded in Chicago. The band was making some noise here back in the day until it's leader, Joe "Chocolate" Hurtado returned to Colombia, where he continued to promote his album. On this recording are: Jaime Ramirez - Bass, Jose Armigo, Tito Torres & Marcus Persiani - Piano, Jose M. Perez - Congas, Eriberto Perez - Bongo, Ray soto - Timbales, Elmer Brown, Humberto Tuero - trumpets, Joe Hurtado - Lead vocals, Mike Maldonado, Joe Hurtado, Junior Toledo - Coros

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwXjoNZqVCc

Oveja Perdida by Rafael "Junior" Collazo

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkRfWDurSaQ

Junior Collazo - A Chicago salsa veteran

I recently came across a CD entitled, "Gracias Te Doy" by Rafael "Junior" Collazo. For those of you that were around the Chicago Salsa set back in the 70s,80s and 90s, you should remember him. Everyone knew him simply as "Junior - El Cantante." Junior was a vocalist at large for many of the salsa groups that played the clubs and dances. When he was not gigging with other groups he ran his own band. "Junior," as we all knew him, played piano and was quick to sit in on jam sessions. His band had a nice swing. Junior was a regular fixture in the Humboldt Park area and was always a cool guy to hang with. Now "Junior" has followed his calling and recorded the "Gracias Te Doy" CD. The musicians on the recording are:

Rafael "Junior Collazo" - Vocal
Felix Romero - Trombone
Orlando Otero - Bass
Alexandra Perez - Coros
Jose Francisco Montero - Trombone
Michael Swing - Piano

Check it out.