La Clave - La Clave

The Clave is the rhythmic pattern that forms the basis of Latin music....it is considered the key...the identity...... the root..... the "soul" of the music. It is also the name of the instrument used to create that rhythmic sound and is comprised of two sticks that are struck together to get a cracking sound.

La Clave was a '70s Latin funk ensemble, based in San Francisco, CA, led by percussionist Benny Velarde.   The band released only one album on Verve in 1973 and reissued by Dusty Groove - it is a monster.  Incredibly tight with Latin funk versions of Donny Hathaway's “The Ghetto”, Lonnie Smith's “Move Your Hand”, and Cal Tjader's “Soul Sauce”. The album remains shrouded in mystery...this was not Verve's "sweet spot".  It should have been lost but now it's legacy is of a record with a host of funky latin touches and credits that are part of oral history. 

Personnel

Al Zulaica - Piano, Benny Velarde - Leader, Timbales, Gabriel Rondon - Guitar, Jerry Gilmor - Sax (Baritone), Joe Ellin - Trumpet, Johnny Nelson - Vocals, Lalo Schifrin - Keyboards, Luiz Miranda - Conga, Martin Fierro - Sax (Tenor), Pat O'Hara - Trombone, Tito Garcia - Vocals, Willie Colón - Bass, Willie Colón - Guitar

Tracklist

Sally Go Round The Roses

Angels Of Mercy
Move Your Hand
Latin Slide
Who You Fooling
The Ghetto
Road Runner
Soul Sauce
Baila Mi Guaguancò
Cocoa Leaf

Move Your Hand...This is just some slowed down, slinky, shit. The instrumentation is similar to the original (instruments are virtually the same) but this just seems to simmer.  It's a great take on a hell of song.

Move Your Hand