Customer Reviews

Malo

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Truly magical stuff this first (I think) album by this little-known but magnificent Latin Rock band. This album was released in 1972, a golden year for music in general and Malo in particular. There's a natural inclination, which should probably be resisted, to compare and contrast them with Santana. The similarity is that they are both Latin Rock and their guitarists are brothers, but Malo very much plough their own furrow. Having said can I be a bit controversial please? "Suavecito" does sound a bit like "Sitting in the Park" by Georgie Fame, a British singer from the 1960s. Its the none the worse for it; probably just a case of great minds thinking alike. But my favourite track from "Malo One" is "Cafe" - by a considerable margin. Music doesn't get much better than this track. Sure, it's available on the excellent and highly recommended "Best Of", but only in an edited version (from 7 minutes down to 3 minutes). So splash out your Dollars or Pounds or Yen wherever you are and buy both.

A classic CD from the early 70's, this group has a sound from
yesterday which is still hot and pumping today. Their classic
and signature song "Suavecito" delivers a typical summertime
groove which lets you sit back and reminisce about days gone by.
The hard rocking and salsa swinging tune "Cafe" is off-the-hook.
This is a CD that everyone both young and old can enjoy and
appreciate.

This band rocks. I am fortunate that local bands such as Malo and Santana still play regularly in the Bay Area. Nena, Cafe, and Suavecito alone makes this album a must have. The music is timeless and even my kids love to hear it. This album is not one to pass up. Tony Sandoval from KISS FM played Nena recently and got flooded with callers wanting to know the song and the band. It's Malo folks. Go out and get it.

This great album marks a turning point in music history.This recordng goes to show that Latin people, and our music was here to stay.Santana proved that,and Malo did it again.Up until that point there were not a lot of latin sounds in rock,Malo of course changed all that-creating a melodic blend of danceable latin rhythms and rock guitar playing paired with a great latin horn section and piano/organ.The original version of "Cafe" on this album is not on the best of Malo."Just say goodbye" is a great all most instrumental featuring Richard Bean on vocals,who later went on to start his own band "Sapo"."Suavecito" has always been a classic out here. "Nena" is a total latin percussion and rhythm orgy.This is an essential purchase!! ...

Great Album.
There is a live version of Pana on The Last Days of Filmore
that came out on a box set cd a few years back that is OUTSTANDING!
oh and the 2nd Malo album was good too.

THE MOST BUTT-KICKING PERFORMANCE OF MALO'S CAREER,IS ON THE LAST DAYS OF THE FILLMORE ALBUM.HAPPILY THIS CD IS AVAILABLE AND EASY TO GET ON CD.TRY IT YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE HOW RED-HOT THE STAGE IS!

Malo made a solid debut in 1972 with the release of their self-titled album. The six tracks on this album are nice and long and there is never a dull moment throughout. While I consider Santana's style more rock with a Latin influence, the Malo sound can be seen as the opposite - Latin rhythms with a rock influence. It's too bad Malo wasn't as big in the mainstream as Santana, because on this album they display a unique sound that is all their own. "Suavecito," the band's only Top 20 major hit, appears on here, making it the definitive Malo album. If you had to pick just one album by the group, then this should be it. Highly recommended.

Early 70's San Fransisco was a pivot point in American pop culture: Haight-Ashbury, Rice-a-Roni, Jefferson Airplane, Juan Marachial, BART, Santana, EARTHQUAKE, Gay Rights, Gay Bashing, CHINATOWN,... From this "East Meets West" quaqmire rose a Tempo of Mello. It called itself MALO. They produced but a single top forty tune: Suavecito. In it we found peace and promise. The light, Latin inspired music and hopeful lyrics taught many of us metal-heads that there is more to life than acid and arson. And to MALO I shall ever be greatful. PS. If the lead singer's voice sounds familiar, listen to his brother sing about that BLACK MAGIC WOMAN.

The gorgeous single Suavecito in itself, deserves the purchase price of this CD that is one great Latin-Rock album that holds up today as it did then.In the emerging early 1970's, a whole slew of "ethnic" bands emerged on major labels that quickly faded but left it's imprint on others..Latin @ African bands like Azteca,Mandrill,Osibisa had their day capitalizing on artwork covers(Osibisa)by Roger Dean of prog-rock giants Yes fame and the hybrid funk of Mandril later gave way to a more commercial War.
Malo boasted a steady lineup of 8, including 2 guitarists(Jorge Santana on lead) with 2 trumpet players adding a more Latin than Rock feel to the majority of the music.Heavy shades of Santana on Cafe" while the rest of the album moves along really smoothly.
Guests include (Coke Escovedo) Timbales,Congas,bongos timbales and interesting that the lead vocal is a fellow named Richard Bean who is not a member of Malo but a co writer of the hit Suavecito that he sings lead vocal.
Also of interest is the lush front cover of the Mexican warrior and his lady..indeed it is comparable (coincidental?) to Santana's 1970's Abraxas (both depicting themes of women looking up to a man/angel)...in any event further comparisons stop there since this debut is a fine one that deserves 5 stars recorded in California in 1972 whose emotional groove and joy remains intact.

Very nice work from some great musicians in this album. The song "Nena" shows it all, great horn section with one of the best in Luis Casca a one time Janis Jopin band member. The percussion work is a recorded treasure and a lesson for all percussionist. With the Coke Escovedo and conguero Raul Rekow of Santana fame, Jorge and Abel Zarate's guitar work is very nice and dont compare it to Carlos because he is Jorge not Carlos. Arcelio's vocals are clean and with his Puerto Rican style spices this band just fine. You can get all of this and more in the Best of Malo but any true fan will have this one also.