If you don't know the name Joe Bataan, slap yourself. The Filipino Neoyorkino made a name for himself in the 60's and 70's bringing the life of the everyman to soul music. Many mistook him for Black or Latino and Bataan is credited by some with one of the first recorded rap songs with 1979's "Rap-O Clap-O."
But we're here to talk about today. Today, Bataan's music is as powerful as ever and still creeps into our culture. Karriem Riggins sampled him for what seems to be the last good Common song of our time, "If You Play Your Cards Right."
Fania, his longtime label and an institution in their own right, recently tapped House-Jazz maestro Mark de Clive-Lowe to remix Bataan's "Magic Rose." McDL turns the joyous tale of a man completely smitten by a gal's 'magic rose' into a chill house jam.
I don't dance much but this tune would get a two-step out of a cadaver. The tune is from a forthcoming EP of remixes meant to reintroduce the luminous Fania catalog for the young bloods. Berengue Remixed will be released at the end of this. month.
SIMILAR SONGS
