line up 1 (1970)

- Félix "Gadget" Rodríguez (RIP) -- drums, percussion

- Ismaelito -- keyboards 

- George Matos (RIP) -- bass

- Junior El Loco (RIP) -- guitar

- Jose Nogueras -- vocals

  supporting musicians:

- Herman Cortes -- percussion

- Tony Fornaris -- percussion

- Los Stokes (Jose Nogueras)

- Jose Nogueras (solo efforts)

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Bandolero

Company: Eclipse

Catalog: ERC-37925

Year: 1970

Country/State: Puerto Rico

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor ring and edge wear

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4883

Price: $200.00

Cost: $49.50

Puerto Rican rock ...  not exactly my specialty, but then I'll listen to pretty much anything at least a couple of times.

Much of this one's claim to fame rests with the fact it was included in Hans Pokora's 1001 Record Collector Dreams.  I'll be honest and admit that's the main reason I picked up a copy when I stumbled across it at a yard sale.  I know virtually nothing about this outfit, other than their sole 1970 album "Bandolero" was recorded in San Juan's Ochoa Recording Studios and the line up consisted of drummer Félix "Gadget" Rodríguez, keyboard player Ismaelito, bassist George Matos, lead guitarist Junior "El Loco" and singer/frontman Jose Nogueras.  Musically the performances were professional, though the sound was occasionally a bit flat and thin.  With Nogueras responsible for writing the majority of material, tracks such as 'Together', ''Truth and Understanding' and 'Awake' showcased a fairly standard mix of conventional hard rock.  Elsewhere the band showed their widespread influences with 'My Life Is Always Going Through Changes') trotting out some decent blues-rock.  'Awake' added Latin moves to the mix.  Imagine Santana with a bit of grunge thrown in for authenticity and you'll be in the right aural neighborhood.  Best of the lot was the Rascals-influenced single 'Love Me Tonght.'  As lead singer Nogueras wasn't bad.  Most of the performances were in English, but a couple of songs featured Spanish lyrics.  Perhaps not a big surprise, but those Latin influenced numbers like 'Salsa Friquea' and 'Truth and Understanding' displayed considerably more energy than the band's more conventional Anglo catalog.  To be fair, there were a couple of really good performances here.  Again, the Racals-influenced 'Love Me Tonight' would have sounded good on top-40 radio and even though I'm not a big blues-rock fan, 'My Life Is Always Going Through Changes' was enjoyable.   

By the way the Jerry Garcia credited with co-writing several tunes was not the Grateful Dead Garcia ...

'Bandolero" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) I Got It   (Jose Nogueras - Jerry Garcia) - 3:26   rating: *** stars

The album opened up with a surprisingly tuneful and commercial rocker in the form of 'I Got it.'  Jose Nogueras' English vocals were strong - no hint of an accent and the combination of Junior El Loco's lead guitar and Ismaelito's stabbing, Uriah Heep styled keyboards gave the song quite a bit of energy.  On the downside, the song had a slightly under-produced sound.  Still it was easy to see why the track was tapped as a single by the small, Florida based Truth label:

- 1970's 'I Got It' b/w 'Ternura' (Truth catalog number 02 A/B)

2.) Ternura   (Jose Nogueras) - 3:25   rating: *** stars

Pretty, Spanish ballad ...  doe it translate as "tenderness"?

3.) Love Me Tonight   ( Jose Nogueras - Jerry Garcia) - 3:34   rating: **** stars

Perhaps because it reminded me of a strong Young Rascal performance, the blue-eyed soul tinged 'Love Me Tonight' stood as one of the album's highlights.  I also liked the dual English-Spanish lyrics.  It's the track I would have tapped as a single.

4.) Don't Hang Me   (Jose Nogueras) - 3:44   rating: *** stars

'Don't Hang Me' showcased the band's ability to handle a harder rock sound, but ultimately the shifting time structure was disconcerting and gave the song a fractured feel.

5.) I Can Always Think of You   (Jose Nogueras) - 3:44  rating: *** stars

Another pretty ballad, the opening snare drum powered melody has always reminded me of Ravel's 'Bolero.' 

6.) Salsa Friquea   ( Jose Nogueras) - 4:59  rating: *** stars

Showcasing  Ismaelito's keyboards, 'Salsa Friquea' captured the band mixing Latin flavors with some of their heaviest rock moves ...

(side 2)
1.) Together   ( Jose Nogueras) - 2:40   rating: **** stars

Ever wondered what Santana collaborating with Felix Cavaliere and the Racals would sound like?  Perhaps not unlike the rocker 'Together.'   That might explain why the track was tapped as the lead-off single:

- 1970's 'Together' b/w 'Love Me Tonight' (Truth catalog number 01 A/B)

2.) My Life Is Always Going Through Changes   (Jose Nogueras) - 5:57   rating: **** stars

I'm not a big blues-rock fan, but 'My Life Is Always Going Through Changes' was one of those exceptions.  Credit George Matos' underpinning bass line for providing the song's glue and secret sauce..  

3.) I Want To Get There   (Jose Nogueras - Jerry Garcia) - 3:34

4.) Awake   (Jose Nogueras) - 3:34  rating: *** stars

'Awake' was another track that highlighted the band's Latino influences.  Once again Matos' melodic bass work served as the band's glue.  

5.) Truth and Understanding   (Jose Nogueras) - 7:33   rating: **** stars

For better, or worse, throughout most of the album keyboardist  Ismaelito attracted most of the attention, leaving guitarist Junior El Loco inthe shadows.  The blues-rocker 'Truth and Understanding' finally gave Loco an opportunity to showcase his chops.  It was worth the wait.  Nogueras' vocal was also interesting, always reminded me of a Latino David Clayton-Thomas.