Nuyorican Soul - Nuyorican Soul

UK first Press

Year Released: 1997

Genre: Nu-Jazz, Latin Jazz, Soul, House, Salsa

Description:

Nuyorican Soul is the debut studio album by the American music group Nuyorican Soul, a project created by the influential house music production duo Masters at Work, consisting of "Little" Louie Vega and Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez. Released in 1997 on the Talkin' Loud label, the album is a testament to the duo's deep musical roots and their desire to bridge the gap between their dance music background and the more traditional sounds of jazz, soul, and salsa.

The album's name is a tribute to the Nuyorican community (New York-born Puerto Ricans), and its sound is a rich, warm, and sophisticated fusion of genres. Unlike their sample-heavy house tracks, this album was recorded with a full live band, featuring an incredible roster of legendary guest musicians and vocalists. This "loose collective" included some of the biggest names in their respective genres, such as jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers, vocalist Jocelyn Brown, and the "Mambo King" himself, Tito Puente, all of whom add an authentic and masterful touch to the record. Guitarist George Benson also appears, lending his smooth vocals and iconic playing to the track "You Can Do It (Baby)."

Nuyorican Soul is a meticulously crafted album that feels more like a jam session than a studio production. It features a number of standout tracks, including the classic cover of the Rotary Connection song "I Am the Black Gold of the Sun," which features a stunning vocal performance from Jocelyn Brown. The album also features the Latin-infused anthem "Runaway" with powerhouse vocalist India, which became a hit on dance charts. The album's commercial and critical success solidified Masters at Work's reputation as not just house music producers, but as true musical auteurs capable of creating a timeless and genre-bending work of art. The album's influence can be heard in the neo-soul and nu-jazz movements that followed, and it remains a cornerstone of the modern soul and dance music canon.