“Extravagante” is the ninth record production by Orquesta Mulenze

Edwin “Mulenze” Morales was born on 9 April.

Orquesta Mulenze came out in 1976 due to the motivation of Edwin Morales. At that time, he was a young rocker who decided to change his guitar for a bass and in turn become part of Orquesta Yambo, often accompanyng artists such as Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda among others arriving in Puerto Rico without an orchestra; then it was later identified and we would know as MULENZE.

The Orchestra was created in the era where salsa was booming and was fortunate to have musicians, composers and singers of great stature who are now recognized. These include Cano Estremera (R.I.P), (El albino de la Salsa) who would later join Bobby Valentín’s band as a vocalist; in the choir singer-songwriter Pedro Arroyo who has brought several of his compositions to Mulenze, in the piano Andy Guzmán and Eric Figueroa. The latter would be one of the influencers in the style which would be adopted by the orchestra, practicing a little sophisticated and revolutionary rhythm for the public that follows popular music.

Mulenze was one of the first orchestras to use synthesizers within salsa, working rhythmically out of the beat in which the clave pattern is set, giving some jazz variations to their music; it was an innovation that was not very accepted by the groups that were already established at that time, though later this would give respect and an its own identity to the orchestra with its brilliant arrangements.

The ninth record production “Extravagante”

This ninth record production “Extravagante” is impossible to get since 1990 as the company under which it was released has ceased to exist and it is one of those many lost records.

In the voices of Pedro Brull and Rafy Andino, excellent album and Edwin “Mulenze” Morales as director of the group with a first-class team of musicians and arrangers surprises us with this release.

Orquesta Mulenze – Extravagante 1990.

Record label: Hitt Makers

Quédate: Written-By – Pedro Arroyo

Ese Loco De La Vida: Written-By – Juan Bautista

Es Al Amor Que Llega: Written-By – Jose Luis Perales*

No Hay Preguntas: Written-By – Jose Luis Perales*

Contra Viento Y Marea: Written-By – Gloria Gonzalez

Zumba Con Mi Rumba: Written-By – Poldo Castro

Mi Tremendo Caso: Written-By – Tite Curet Alonso

A Dormir Afuera: Written-By Fabio Espinoza, Joaquin Galan, Lucia Galan

Arrangers:

Eric Figueroa (2) (tracks: B3),

Julio Alvarado (tracks: A2, B1),

Luis Garcia (5) (tracks: B2),

Ricky Rodriguez (3) (tracks: A1, A3, A4, B4).

Talent:

Bongos, Cowbell – Charlie Sierra

Congas – Jimmy Garcia (3)

Choir – Alex Castro (3), Cheo Andújar

Guest Musician, Congas – Giovanni Hidalgo, Johnny Rivero

Guest Musician, Keyboards – Jose Pujales

Guest Musician], Maracas – Cusy Castillo

Guest Musician, Timbales – Chago Martinez

Guest Musician, Trombone – José Berrios

Guest Musician, Trumpet – Carlos Martinez (3), Mario Ortiz Jr.

Güiro – Ricardo Salgado

Leader, Bass, Producer, Directed By – Edwin Morales

Mixed By – Papo Sánchez (2)

Piano, Keyboards – Ricky Rodriguez (3)

Producer – Antonio Rodríguez

Technician – Andrés Reyes, George Kamarinos

Technician, Mixed By – Ricky Martínez

Timbales – Roberto Whatts

Trombone – Eliut Cintron, Rafy Torres

Trumpet – Angie Machado, Roberto Santiago (2)

Vocals – Pedro Brull, Rafy Andino

Vocals, Choir – Jose L. Ramos

Extravagante 1990

#SalsaIsCulture

Article of Interest: Mulenze The Orchestra of Eternal Youth

Sources: Julio Vázquez Productions