Owning a falsetto far sweeter than Smokey Robinson or Eugene Record, but with far less strength, Ralfi Pagan was a Latin lover for the salsa set of the '70s. This self-titled record opens with two of the most unrepentant crossover ballads of the era ('Don't Stop Now' and 'Who Is the Girl for Me'). Their quaint period charm can't save them from Pagan's odd diction and delivery -- though strangely, he does a better job pronouncing his English than most of the other Fania/Tico/Cotique acts than attempting Latin pop like this. Like Michael Jackson later in the '70s, though, he does much better with party songs such as the groovy 'Latin Soul' and 'Ain't No Big Thing,' though his frequent attempts to let out a soul shout are misguided at best. [Originally released in 1970, Fania reissued a 'Limited Edition' CD in 2006.]
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Vudu Cafe - Suavecito 12. Ralfi Pagan - Ooh Baby Baby. Freddie G & The Smooth Response Band - I Want A Love I Can See 18.
This week's pick Ralfi Pagan, really hits a special note with me. And I'd assume it does with most Chicano's that grew up in the 80's and 90's. I remember riding around with my Dad and him playing a beat up old tape with some random Ralfi Pagan songs, I remember thinking the tape was gonna die at any point, because it sounded like it barely survived from the 70's. It wasn't till I heard a CD version of 'Make it with you' that I realized that it wasn't the tape that had bad quality but the original recording and that made me laugh. And it wasn't till I was an adult that I could really appreciate the lyrics of 'Look at Her'. I just always knew it was soulful and had a great melody, but now I really feel those words of loss. We all go through it at some point in our lives, where things don't always end up the way we want them to in relationships, either by taking it for granted or something else. It when your on the outside looking do you want it back and that's what this song means to me now. Yeah it seem like I'm picking sad songs to highlight, but a majority of Ralfi Pagan's songs were pretty sad, he was a crooner, and that's what he's know for. 'I Never thought you'd leave me' sounds like a lonely rainy day with all the lights off and this song playing on repeat. I love it in spite of that, and when he starts singing in Spanish near the end of the song, it just gets deeper. This is one that I know many people have already but there are some people who didn't get to appreciate it growing up so with that I must say PASS IT ON Also don't forget about LEE @ The Pinata Hour this Wednesday _______________________________________________________ ![]() 1. No Soy De Ti 2. Ooo Baby 3. Make It With You 4. To Say I Love You 5. Don't Stop Now 6. Look at Her 7. Hijo de Mama, El 8. Negrita 9. I'd Have You Anytime 10.I Never Thought You'd Leave Me 11.Didn't Want To Have To Do It 12.What a Wonderful Thing We Have 13.Just For A Little While 14.I Could Never Hurt You Girl 15.Just One of Your Kisses (Un Besito) 16.Who Is the Girl for Me ![]() Comments are closed.
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March 2023
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