Featured Album: Remastered reissue of "Gypsy Woman" by the King of Latin Soul, Joe Bataan

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    In the ’60s and ’70s, East Harlem native Joe Bataan epitomized the melting pot of New York City, both musically and culturally. Born Bataan Nitollano in 1942 to an African American mother and a Filipino father, Bataan began singing as a teenager, performing doo-wop on street corners. While a gang-related prison sentence at 15 could have ended his musical dreams, the experience turned Bataan’s life around instead. Six months after his release, in 1965, he formed his first band, Joe Bataan and the Latin Swingers. Combining Latin beats, R&B, and a mix of English and Spanish lyrics, the group was instrumental in establishing the “boogaloo” sound that would become hugely popular over the next few years.

    In the ’60s and ’70s, East Harlem native Joe Bataan epitomized the melting pot of New York City, both musically and culturally. Born Bataan Nitollano in 1942 to an African American mother and a Filipino father, Bataan began singing as a teenager, performing doo-wop on street corners. While a gang-related prison sentence at 15 could have ended his musical dreams, the experience turned Bataan’s life around instead. Six months after his release, in 1965, he formed his first band, Joe Bataan and the Latin Swingers. Combining Latin beats, R&B, and a mix of English and Spanish lyrics, the group was instrumental in establishing the “boogaloo” sound that would become hugely popular over the next few years.

    Bataan served as the bandleader, the pianist, and the English vocalist, while Spanish-language vocals were handled by Joe Pagan. The band also included trombonists Joe “Chickie” Fuente and Ruben Hernandez, bassist Louis Devis, conguero Victor Gonzalez, timbalero Eddie Nater, and percussionist Richie Cortez. Thanks to regular gigs at venues like the Tropicoro Ballroom in the Bronx, the band caught the ears of the newly founded Fania Records, who signed them in 1966. One year later, they released their debut album, Gypsy Woman.

    Gypsy Woman launched Bataan’s career, making him one of the biggest stars of the boogaloo era and one of Fania’s most prolific artists (he would release a total of eight albums over a five-year period with the label, including the best-selling Riot! Yet, after the boogaloo craze faded away in the early ’70s, Bataan successfully parlayed his talents into other emerging genres, including disco (his 1973 album Salsoul helped establish a new style of dance music) and, later in the decade, was a pioneering force in hip-hop, thanks to 1979’s “Rap-O, Clap-O,” which was a Top Ten hit in Europe. During the ’70s, Bataan also established his own label and branched out into producing for other artists. While the ’80s and ’90s found Bataan stepping away from the spotlight to focus on his family and serve as a youth mentor, he returned to the studio and the stage in the new millennium.

    Today, with nearly 20 albums in his catalog, Bataan continues to be an active and influential force in music. And with this beautifully remastered reissue of Gypsy Woman, fans get the chance to revel in the album that started it all.

    Pre-order the vinyl now
    and explore exclusive bundle options at
    Fania.com.

    Gypsy Woman tracklist (vinyl):

     Side A

    1. Gypsy Woman
    2. So Fine
    3. Fuego
    4. Campesino
    5. Chickie’s Trombone

    Side B

    1. Too Much Lovin’
    2. Sugar Guaguancó
    3. Figaro
    4. Ordinary Guy

    Gypsy Woman tracklist (digital):

    1. Gypsy Woman
    2. So Fine
    3. Fuego
    4. Campesino
    5. Chickie’s Trombone
    6. Too Much Lovin’
    7. Sugar Guaguancó
    8. Figaro
    9. Ordinary Guy