Pete Rodriguez – I Like It Like That (A Mi Me Gusta Asi)
Pete and band, looking el snappy in those blue suits.
Listen/Download – Pete Rodriguez – I Like It Like That
Greetings all.
I have returned.
This week has been a downer, with the passing of Brother Burke, as well as a wide variety of irritants.
The real challenge in life today is to remain positive in the face of a seemingly relentless wave of crap, coming at you either directly or indirectly.
The groovy things is – a ray of sunshine and all – is that once in a great while something manages to tunnel through the shitstorm, steady the ship and deliver a welcome message.
This week that message came in the form of props (for the blog and the radio show) from BBC DJ Sean Rowley and his show the Joy of Music. It’s always a groove when someone steps forward to say that they “get” what’s going on here (as many of you have done in the past, and I say thank you once again). If you get the chance check out Mr. Rowley’s show, either streaming live or via archive. He’s got a very solid musical sensibility (rock, pop and soul).
The tune I bring you today is engineered (and guaranteed) to get you up out of your seat and onto the floor, where you will promptly forget (as I have) whatever it is that is presently afflicting you, bringing elation and opening the gate onto a weekend you can be proud of.
I have gone on record many times about my deep and abiding love for Latin soul, especially funk and boogaloo, and today’s selection is a stellar example of the latter.
The only reason I didn’t bring it to you sooner was the fact that my copy is – how do they say – a little crackly (crackley??) and I needed to apply my limited technical skills to the task of reducing the extraneous noise before I posted it. I cannot say that I was 100% successful, but this record is so powerful, so joyous and so boogaloo-tastic (Boricua-delic???), that I think you will soon forget the Rice Krispie-esque emanations and step to it.
The tune in question is brought to you by Pete Rodriguez, and is entitled ‘I Like It Like That (a Mi Me Gusta Asi)’ and is as solid a slice of Spanish Harlem party starter as has ever been committed to wax.
The tune was written by Manny Rodriguez and Pete’s trumpeter Tony Pabon and released on the 1967 LP of the same name.
If the tune sounds at all familiar it’s because a 1994 reworking of the song by the Blackout All Stars, which was then used in an ad campaign by Burger King. Sadly, the King and his minions have never produced anything as delicious or caliente as this number.
I hope you dig it, and I’ll be back on Monday.
But first….In other interesting, Funky16Corners-related news, don’t forget to tune in to this week’s Funky16Corners Radio Show, Friday night at 9PM at Viva Radio. If you dig what’s happening here, you’ll probably like what it does to your ears.
Peace
Larry
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Themocracy
Hey Larry!
Thanks for posting this – that’s a pretty sweet tune…really loving that latin vibe.
Good job on the clean-up too! 😉
Cheers,
James
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