Joe Bataan - Latin Strut / Peace, Friendship And Solidarity

Year Released: 1974
Genre: Latin Funk / Latin Soul / Boogaloo

Description:

“Latin Strut / Peace, Friendship and Solidarity” by Joe Bataan is a vibrant and rhythmically rich 7″ single released in 1974 on Mericana Records (and later through Salsoul Records), during the peak of the New York Latin soul and funk movement. The single perfectly captures Bataan’s signature fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, funk grooves, and soul sensibility, solidifying his role as one of the most innovative figures in Latin crossover music.

The A-side, “Latin Strut,” is an explosive instrumental groove driven by syncopated percussion, punchy brass, and electric piano lines that blend Latin polyrhythms with American funk precision. The track exemplifies Bataan’s ability to merge boogaloo, funk, and early disco elements, creating a sound that feels both organic and forward-looking. Its energetic breaks and sharp horn riffs have made it a long-standing favorite among DJs and record collectors.

The B-side, “Peace, Friendship and Solidarity,” shifts toward a more message-oriented tone, featuring soulful vocals over a laid-back Latin-jazz arrangement. The lyrics emphasize unity and social awareness — themes common in Bataan’s work and reflective of the multicultural, politically conscious spirit of 1970s New York.

Both sides highlight Joe Bataan’s deep connection to the Latin soul and Nuyorican funk movements that flourished in the Bronx and Harlem. His music served as a bridge between Afro-Latin tradition and African-American soul, influencing generations of Latin jazz and funk artists.

“Latin Strut” became especially influential in the decades following its release. Its fiery instrumental section was sampled and looped by numerous hip-hop producers for its crisp percussion and distinctive horn stabs, appearing in the works of DJ Shadow, Masters at Work, and other artists exploring Latin-infused breakbeats. The track also found new audiences during the rare groove revival of the 1980s and 1990s, when crate diggers rediscovered its infectious dance-floor appeal.

Original 7″ pressings of “Latin Strut / Peace, Friendship and Solidarity” are now highly collectible, not only for their scarcity but for their place in the evolution of Latin funk and early hip-hop sampling culture.

This single stands as a quintessential example of Joe Bataan’s artistry — a seamless blend of Latin rhythm, funk drive, and social consciousness, wrapped in the unmistakable groove of 1970s New York City.