This remarkable debut album breaks many of the unwritten rules of the modern salsa band, but the result is an incredibly immersive record that instantly transports you to the streets of El Barrio; you can practically taste the grit and gravel in every tune! Even more impressively, the NYC five-piece have accomplished this using a bare-bones charanga-style arrangement with just a single trombone, a solitary flute, a violin and an electric tres guitar, yet carrying the punch and power of a much bigger orchestra!
Not content with rejecting the conventions of the contemporary salsa industry, they also dumped all modern recording technology and huddled around a single analogue tape machine to create their record. The result is an intimate, haunting sound that belies the minimalist instrumentation and makes you feel like you’re jamming with the band on a street corner.
The making of Pilon
Los Hacheros jamming on the street in Chinatown, NYC
Pilon is a mixture of some original tracks and covers of some salsa classics, but the latter have been so transformed by the band’s distinctive style that they are almost unrecognisable. One of the highlights for me is Azucar, originally by Los Van Van but now transported from the Caribbean to the New York barrio.
Los Van Van’s original version of Azucar, performed here in 1989
Los Hacheros’ performing Azucar at the Pulqueria restaurant in NYC
Other personal favourites are the thumping Toma tu Pilon and the two fantastic guajiras, Tintorera and Papote’s Guajira. Many of the tracks start with a single instrument setting the scene and luring you in, before the rest of the band explodes to life!
Producer and tres player Jacob Plasse has assembled an outstanding group of musicians with impressive pedigree who, between them, have worked for the biggest names in salsa, from Jose “El Canario” Alberto and Alfredo De La Fe to Victor Manuelle and Marc Anthony. Lead vocalist and conguero Hector “Papote” Jimenez is also known as the voice of Lower East Salsa. While the musicians each have their own projects, I can’t wait to hear what happens next time they come together as Los Hacheros!
Pilon is available to download from all the usual digital stores, as well as on CD and vinyl! Or support the band by buying direct from them!
Tracks:
1. Azucar – 4:52
2. Desastre – 4:19
3. Chano – 3:44
4. Papote’s Guajira – 6:56
5. Convergencia – 3:53
6. Toma tu Pilon – 4:05
7. Tintorera – 3:24
8. Mami Me Gusto – 6:05
9. Cha-Cha Herzlia – 4:04
Artists:
Héctor “Papote” Jimenez – Congas, vocals
Itai Kriss – Flute, percussion
Eddie Venegas – Violin, trombone
William Ash – Bass
Jacob Plasse – Tres Guitar, producer
Eddie Valentin – Bongo