Search - El Chicano :: 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

Not Santana, but that's cool

Mark R. Van Wagenen | Elgin, Illinois USA | 03/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These guys are obviously going to be compared to the much better-known band Santana, and they're similar in their Latin-Caribbean jazz-and blues-influenced percussion-infused music. Some of the tunes, like "Juntos" sound very much like Santana. They are not a Santana rip-off since both bands formed about the same time; in El Chicano's case, East LA (War's old neighborhood) in the late '60s. The band does not have a guitarist that can compare to the incomparable Carlos Santana (although Mickey Lespron has been compared to jazz guitar great Wes Montgomery), nor an organist as powerful as Gregg Rolie in Santana's glory days, but they harmonized better than Santana, seemed to take a few more chances at least early on, and their music can stand on its own. The jazz influence here is strong.



The CD kicks off with their version of jazz pianist Gerald Wilson's instrumental "Viva Tirado", a Top 40 tune and an enormous hit in the LA area in 1970 with its haunting organ and guitar, followed by the completely different take on the Van Morrison classic "Brown Eyed Girl", which can be compared to a Latino version of Jimmy Buffett's rendition of the number. "El Cayuco", written by Tito Puente, and "The Latin One" can both be compared to Santana's "Dance Sister Dance" (which came out later); with the ending to "The Latin One" clearly inspired by Santana's "Savor".



Their best-known hit nationwide, "Tell Her She's Lovely", which made the Top 40 in 1972, is one of the few cuts on the CD with words. "Sabor A Mi" is a dreamy Spanish-language love song that sticks out a bit on this CD. "(Se Fue Mi) Cha Chita" starts out and has the same kind of beat as "Viva Tirado" but has strings and is an easy-on-the-ears piece. "Cubano Chant" starts off with a slow organ solo and builds to a moderately-paced instrumental, and when Lespon's guitar kicks in midway through, brings the tune all together.



"Canteloupe Island", written by Herbie Hancock, is a percussion-enriched number with B3 organ work that reminded me of jazz-soul organist Brother Jack McDuff. "Ahora Si" is a bi-lingual anti-war message; this band was not afraid to express itself politically or, in the words of the liner notes, "reflect the realities of the Mexican American experience"; not unlike War. "Gringo En Mexico", written by Wendy Waldman, has horns and strings with a mariachi beat; that's certainly different.



Call them a jazzy version of Santana, but don't call them "poor man's Santana". These guys could play. Obviously one to get if you like jazz or Latin music.





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Cool mix of Latin jazz, funk, soul & rock

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 11/10/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of East LA's hottest and most commerically successful Latin rock bands of the early 1970s, El Chicano fused rock, funk and jazz with deep latino roots, sounding at times like contemporary bands such as Santana and War, while also incorporating overtly jazz influences. On this 12-song disc alone, they covered songs by Tito Puente, Van Morrison, Ray Bryant, Herbie Hancock and -- I kid you not -- Wendy Waldman. The band's eclecticism was backed by a strong musical base, and these tunes are uniformly strong. This is a nice summary of their career, and a good example of the amazing creative ferment of the time. Recommended!"

El Chicano- A gringo's perspective

Jim A. Easley | New Mexico | 09/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first encountered El Chicano in (of all places) Portales NM in 1972. They scheduled an impromptu one hour lunch time concert at ENMU. There was a small sign that just said, "El Chicano-Noon at the SUB." Nothing else. I wandered over there thinking- cool a lecture on The Chicano Movement in the U.S. It was the best education of my life. They played for over 3 hours and opened my eyes to Latin Rock and Roll. There was about 50 of us in the audience listening, dancing, playing air congas, guitars, and keyboards along with the band. A truly great band of MUSICIANS. They got their message across in the universal language of music. Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of attending a repeat concert but it is still on my life's list of goals. I understand they have re-formed and are doing limited engagements. If you ever get the chance to go to one of their concerts, go and be prepared to be blown away by true musicians."