One of the jewels of record label, Areito's, extensive and sought-after catalogue, Ricardo Eddy Martinez's Expreso Ritmico, from 1978, is a prized album fusing funk, disco, and orchestrated influences with Afro-Cuban percussion, Latin breaks, and lush vocal harmonies.

Whilst maintaining its distinctive Cuban identity, Expreso Ritmico is one of the more American / Western-influenced Cuban titles of the time drawing inspiration from jazz funk, disco, and library music.

The album was directed, written, and orchestrated by keyboardist and drummer Ricardo Eddy Martinez, who was also the mastermind behind the orchestration of the Los Reyes 73 album (that was recently reissued by Mr Bongo). Martinez would later go on to work with international musicians and singers such as Gloria Estefan, Jose Feliciano, Chick Corea, and many more, whilst also working as a sound engineer in the US.

Produced by Adolfo Pichardo, who worked on much of Areito's output, Expreso Ritmico is packed with gold. The opening title track carries a loose, breezy Latin- disco- funk vibe that breaks into a brilliant Afro- Cuban workout. 'Que La Tristeza Se Fue' was expertly sampled and looped by Jazzanova on their 2008 song 'Look What You Are Doing To Me, featuring Phonte from the hip hop group Little Brother.

Elsewhere, 'Tambo Iya' has an Afro- funk, Soul Makossa- esque groove, while tracks such as 'Te Quedas', 'Mi Conga Es La Que Es' and 'La 132' run with a heavy pulsating Latin-funk sound. Head to the sultry psych funk of 'Este Tumbao' for a spacey journey that blends and morphs through genres.

A record that was ahead of its time, Expreso Ritmico is a superb and unique album that merges western influence

Tracklist:

Expreso Ritmico
Tambo Iya
Yeya Son
Te Quedas
Que La Tristeza Se Fue
Mi Conga Es La Que Es
Mas No Me Falta Fe
La 132
Este Tumbao
De Mis Razones

Mr Bongo

RICARDO EDDY MARTINEZ - Expreso Ritmico - CD [FEB 20]