Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Malo - Malo (1972)

“Malo” by Malo (1972)

Release Date: January 1972
Produced by David Rubinson
Genre: Latin Rock, Soul, Chicano Rock, Latin Jazz
Label: Warner Brothers

Chart Positions: #14 (US), #10 (US R&B)
Certifications: N/A

Singles: “Suavecito” #18 (US), #8 (US Adult Contemporary), “CafĂ©” (no chart data)
Singles Certifications: N/A

Other Charting Tracks: N/A
Best Tracks: “Pana,” “Just Say Goodbye,” “Cafe,” “Suavecito”


Trivia: “Malo” is one of the great Latin music albums of any time period. It’s an album that inspired many Latin musicians to step out and rock a little with touches of brass and jazz. “Malo” is the debut album for this San Francisco based band that went on to release eight studio albums through their career. “Malo” remains their best selling album with their signature hit “Suavecito,” sadly Malo ends up being a one hit wonder despite releasing a long line of quality music. Their hit “Suavecito” is a “quiet storm” classic which is equally fitting for a sunny day or a rainy night. “Just Say Goodbye” is a smooth groove that is the epitome of the “quiet storm” with it’s gentle rhythms which transitions into a rousing jazz fusion passage then comes back around with a classic smooth vocal chorus. “Just Say Goodbye” should have been the followup single to “Suavecito.””Pana” is very reminiscent of something you would have heard from Santana during his early to mid 70s era. The combination of brass instruments and guitars works extremely well. “Malo” is an atmospheric album from a golden era of truly diverse music.

Suavecito (1972)






MALO