Everyone knows I'm a big Puma head, but these are ridiculous (in a bad way). YO! MTV Raps in Pepto Bismol colors? not! The MC Shan and Big Daddy Kane jump offs they did were dope? These? Nope.
If you see Sonny Crockett skateboarding down Ocean Avenue in Miami, snuff him. Wow, these are bad. Like, really? Who thought espadrilles where ever gonna make a come back? They were ugly then, they are ugly now. And they don't exactly provide the support you need for boarding (had no idea that the fat tongue on skateboard sneakers was more than just a design element).
My redneck cousin in Louisiana called. He wanted his picnic tablecloth back 'cause he was gonna go hunting again.
I was listening to the radio the other day and all of a sudden the unmistakeable piano line from Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman" comes on. That disjointed piano line (which always sounded to me like a piano filtered to sound as if it were out of tune) took me straight back to 8th Street in the Village. Unique.
To many of us growing up in New York City, Unique Clothing Store was more than just a store. It was our true introduction to the alternative scene we had just perused through the pages of The Village Voice. It was THE Greenwich Village destination, whether you got off the R train at 8th Street and walked directly there or got off the E or F train at West 4th and walked up to it. The funny thing is, I don't ever really remember really buying any clothes there. It was the place to be seen and the scene first, clothing store second.
The shopfront was lorded over by airbrush artists that could turn an ordinary pair of jeans or denim jacket into a true work of art. When you walked in, you could often find Roger S selling his Egotrip tapes to kids hungry for his eclectic house sound. I'm pretty sure he'd be the first one to tell you that he wouldn't be where he is (international DJ superstar, Ibiza's crown prince) without his time served at Unique slinging tapes with that dope triangle logo.
And then there was the back of the store, which faced Lafayette. First off, most people didn't know the back was open like that. And second of all, you had to be cooler than school to hang out back there. Long hair? check. Stomper shoes? check. T shirt worn over a blazer? Check, check.
Those were great times, where we began to explore fashion (like the big-soled stomper shoes) and when getting into clubs (like Red Zone, The Building, Mars) was never a given because most of us were too young and using fake ID. The prospect of not getting in made actually making it through the velvet ropes a whole lot sweeter, the music a whole lot better.
But all good things come to an end. Rumors that Unique was closing down to be replaced with a PC Richards or some other electronics store monstrosity turned out to be true (I don't even know what the space is now, I kind of pass by there without looking as if to hold on to Unique in some way). Eventually Red Zone closed down, The Building lost its lease, and I don't even want to know what over-priced, eurotrash attracting, people in suits trying to dance with a drink on the dancefloor monstrosity of a club it turned into. The only places that are worth it in the Meatpacking District are Cielo and Apartment. The Unique crew went its separate ways, some of us gravitating towards the even more alternative of the East Village, others reverting back to straight hip hop. But for a short time in our lives, we were all Unique.
Seriously, picking my favorite Fania All Stars song of all time is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. Impossible. "El Raton" may not be the dopest song to dance to because it's kinda of a slow burner, but it might be the coolest song ever recorded. Ever. This youtube version doesn't do it justice, but it will give you a little taste. Get the version off the CD to get the full madness.
El judio maravilloso Larry Harlow is on piano. This mensch must have some grandfather from Ponce or something because he feels it. He's more Puerto Rican than a couple of people I know. If you don't believe me, check out his album "Salsa." IMO, this is the quintessential salsa album, he freaking named it Salsa. Que cojonudo, pero con todo su derecho. That's how confident this cat was.
Bobby Valentin on bass. People talk about Jaco Pastorious and Flea blah blah blah. Bobby Valentin kicks both their asses. Peep his album "Rompecabezas" to hear why. I had a vinyl of it, and I fucking lost that bad boy. (if anyone's got it on MP3, let me know). "Rompecabezas" is my second favorite Fania album, and that's because I haven't heard it in a while. Once I get my hands on it again, it might go to number 1.
Orestes Vilato on timbales. Another great musician. Of course, Ray Barreto on congas and Robertito Roena on cowbell ("Ponte Duro" is one of my favorite Fania songs. Roena's bongo solo on there is sick. He had an album with an illustrated cover that was Amazing. Can't remember the name, it's crazy early. If i remember it, i'll let you know. Every time I see someone with one of those corny "More Cowbell" T shirts, I feel like slapping them. but I digress yet again.)
Mira ese coro. Ismael Miranda, otro que se me le olvida el nombre porque esta temprano y no me he tomado el cafe, Hector Lavoe, and Santitos Colon. No pressure, Cheo.
Cheo Feliciano, my second favorite Fania vocalist right next to my numero uno Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. His voice is silk, period.
Anyone know what happened to George Santana, Carlos' brother? He straight kills this song with his guitar solo. "Oye como va" got NOTHING on this. And when the coro impels him with "Eh, Santana," it feels like the gods are talking to me for some reason. The universe has aligned with planet rock, planet bugaloo, planet and the Fania all star systems.
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