{"product_id":"ray-perez-y-sus-kenyas-ra-rai","title":"RAY PEREZ Y SUS KENYAS-RA! RAI!","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cu data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRa! Rai!\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, released in 1969, was the fourth and final album of Venezuelan piano player, composer, arranger, and vocalist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRay \"Rai\" Pérez\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e's original configuration of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLos Kenya\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. The oddly titled record is undeservedly obscure except to the most avid collectors and historians of Venezuelan salsa. It marks the end of the second period where the upstart pianist was making his mark on the scene and restlessly searching for a formula that would lead to both creative and commercial success. The late 1960s was a very busy time when Pérez was juggling several different studio bands: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLos Dementes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLos Calvos\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, and Los Kenya. The singer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDimas Pedroza\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, who had left rival orchestra \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFederico Y Su Combo Latino\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e to join Ray Pérez in early 1969, did not stay long with Los Kenya, due to some personal differences with the band leader. With a co-lead singer missing to support \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCarlín Rodríguez\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e in Los Kenya, the band's new conga player, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJulián Orta\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, recommended a young, non-professional friend of his, 22-year-old \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEdmundo Vega Francia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. Pérez treats you to a rather eclectic and slightly odd mix of genres, influences, and arrangements, making this one of his more eccentric and interesting efforts. 1960s California \"sunshine pop\" rock, calypso, soul and jazz are all added to the pot of salsa cooked up by \"El Loco Ray\" and his band on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cu data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRa! Rai!\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Throughout the record the dual trumpet section keeps things bright and jumpy, in the style of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLa Sonora Matancera\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRicardo Ray\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. Pérez utilized this approach to differentiate from the heavier trombone sound of Los Dementes. Always searching for different sounds on the keyboard, Pérez brings in classical and blues-inflected piano licks as well as traditional Cuban guajeos, much like his two major influences on the instrument, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEddie Palmieri\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e and Ricardo Ray. Luckily for salsa fanatics, the record contains some fabulous dancefloor bangers in that genre. In addition, the highly syncopated track \"Mi Sonsito\" brings in the Cuban son montuno, dedicated to the salseros of Francia's barrio and performed in a rapid tempo. Overall, from the pop numbers to the salsa tunes, the sound is similar to that of the Colombia-based Venezuelan expatriates \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eNelson Y Sus Estrellas\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e. While it may not be one of his most well-known albums, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cu data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRa! Rai!\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e deserves to be, not only for its strong salsa dura anthems but also for its brave, quirky eclecticism and youthful, rebellious spirit, all of which are reflections of Ray Pérez's unique genius. Restored and remastered from the original tapes. Fully licensed from the maestro himself, with its original Pyraphon artwork intact.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"FORCED EXPOSURE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41103552544883,"sku":"","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0270\/0342\/0787\/files\/VAMPI277LP_PROD.jpg?v=1700262819","url":"https:\/\/www.techniquerecords.com\/products\/ray-perez-y-sus-kenyas-ra-rai","provider":"Technique Records LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}