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