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 How did you first become involved in Latin music, and what was it about the music that attracted you?
It was a time of change back in the 60's and I wanted to be involved in the trend. Salsa and Boogaloo was starting to emerge and the excitement was in the air everywhere.
You were involved in one of the gangs in NY when you were young. Can you tell us a little about this, and how those times have influenced your music, if at all?
I was in The Dragons of East Harlem or Spanish Harlem. Everyone wanted to belong and some of us joined to survive our enviroment.... Growing up in this atmosphere really influenced my music with the sounds of El Barrio coming from everywhere in the area.
Why did you choose to record a cover of Gil Scott Heron's 'The Bottle'?
Gil is a very talented musician and his song is a classic. I covered his song as a instrumental with huge success back in the days. It is a compliment to Gil's writing ability.... I just love the song.
 What has been your best or most memorable concert, and why?
The Boat ride performance on the Hudson River in the late 60's, where we played the Riot - It's a Good Good Feeling for an hour straight without a break. The Boat was swaying from side to side with magic aboard that day. I will never forget. It was a High School celebration. - We were young and restless........... the fans continued to dance until we all fell to the floor from exhaustion.
How do you feel the latin music scene has changed since you first became involved as an artist?
The latin scene has changed from knowledge of the whole personnel of a band to just the leaders or vocalist now. Back in the days we knew everyone on the record and what they played. Everyone in the group was a star of some sort or another.
What do you think of the current crop of bands, and are there any upcoming artists that you would recommend?
The Fulanos of Spain and the Bamboos of Australia are two groups that come to mind that are exciting. This is a new generation and we all can learn from the past and the future of these excellent groups.
 You have a new CD out, titled "King Of Latin Soul", which involved re-recording your big hits with Spanish Rare Groove band Los Fulanos. Can you tell us a little more about the project?
This was a brain child of Pastor Inigo of Vampisoul records and was very exciting for me to do. The group was great and they complimented me very well. I perform with them a lot in Spain and they are very exciting to watch. This project is being played around te world and we have great expectations for this release.
You're due to visit the UK in the summer. What will you be doing while you're over here? Do you have any gigs or projects planned?
I will be performing for RED BULL at the Cargo in and out for four days with interviews performance etc.... June 9th thru the 12th, 2009.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
It has taken me almost 45 years to perform in the U.K. and the folks won't be disappointed with the guidance of the Lord - God Bless - Cheers Joe Bataan
Website: www.joebataan.net
JOE BATAAN BIOGRAPHY
Young Gifted And Brown -Joe Bataan
Boogaloo, Latin Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Salsa, Disco, Latin Funk, Latin R&B Latin Jazz, Rap .... What didn't Joe Bataan sing? Joe Bataan was born and raised in Spanish Harlem (East Side of Manhattan New York) in 1942 to an African-American mother and Filipino father. His given name was Bataan Nitollano.
 His musical experience started in the street corner singing do-wops in the 1950's. During his teenage years, Bataan associated himself with street gangs. At the age of 15 he spent five years at Coxsackie State Prison for riding in a stolen vehicle. It is unknown if he was the driver of the stolen vehicle. In prison he learned music and six months after his release, he began to record music. Bataan visualized an incredible vision that perhaps several recording artist may have said it is impossible to do. His visual modality was to combine Latin music with Rhythm and Blues. As a result of this merger, Joe Bataan became known as the first recording artist to create authentically Latin Soul music. Although Latin Soul existed in the past before Joe Bataan 's merger, however these recording artists were actually Boogaloo singers. They sang English lyrics in a soulful do-wop style along with Boogaloo music. Hector Rivera is one example with his Boogaloo hits in 1966 " I wanna a chance for romance " " At The Party" and " Drown my heart " Mr. Bataan didn't coin the phrase " Latin Soul " The phrase was used in the early 60's and perhaps late 1950's with La Lupe and Tito Puente. Mr. Bataan actually created the music as it should have sounded. By merging Latin music with R&B tunes in the late 60's, "Latin Soul" was officially born by the creator Joe Bataan.
Wikipedia Music Encyclopedia defines Latin Soul as " a blend of mambo and pop tinged with R&B and Latin Jazz, emphasizing short, ultra-catchy tunes and infectious rhythms." I would like to add to this definition " authentically created by Joe Bataan"
 Self taught on the piano, he organized his first band in 1965 and scored his first recording success in 1967 with " Gypsy Woman " on Fania Records. " Gypsy Woman " crossed over to R&B radio along with "Subway Joe " The title track of Gypsy Woman was first aired by radio DJ Dick "Ricardo" Sugar, became an instant hit in New York's Latin community. Ironically, Mr. Bataan had initially written the song " Gypsy Woman" with Spanish lyrics for the band's co-lead vocalist Joe Pagan to perform. It didn't seem to work, so he started singing the song himself in English at gigs and received an enthusiastic reaction. The late George Goldner, boss of the Cotique label (a rival of Fania at the time), disapproved of Bataan's rendition and advised him against recording it. Clearly, Joe's refusal to take this advice proved to be the sounder judgment.
Another smashing hit from the Fania label was the Latin Soul ballad "Ordinary Guy" Addressing an ex-lover, Mr. Bataan plaintively sings: "I don't have thousands to spend, Or a seaside cottage for the weekend, I'm just an ordinary guy, you left behind." You were guaranteed at least four hits or more on Bataan's album. Even songs that did not hit the billboard charts were phenomenal. Several songs were mainly about his life experience.
When you are at the top of your game, achieve great success there is always room for criticisms and Mr. Bataan did face several. Perhaps it was envy and jealousy of Bataan's success, these critics felt Mr. Bataan's music was not truly salsa because of the English lyrics. Who said it was salsa? It was Latin Soul. The criticisms may have been prompted when people learned Mr. Bataan was not Puerto Rican decent. Despite the criticisms, Bataan achieved his dreams and fulfilled that awesome vision of merging Latin music with Rhythm and Blues. He rightfully deserves the title " THE LATIN SOUL KING AND KING OF LATIN FUNK" He wrote it, he sang it, he lived it and he was the creator.
Joe Bataan not only was a singer, a musician and a song writer but he was also a producer. He produced a couple of LPs in the early 70's from an extraordinary record label called Ghetto Records. One of the famous 1972 Latin Soul song that sprung forth from this label was " Tender Love (and Sweet caresses)" by Paul Ortiz Y La Orquesta Son that was remade in 1992 by Latin Pop artist Tino Nieves. Ghetto Records was indeed an extraordinary record label. The salsa from this label was not the ordinary salsa people were accustom to. It was sort of like Latin Salsa Blues, with a rock stylish electric and soul rhythm vocals. That's the best I can describe it. La Fantastica and Joe Acosta Orchestra were two recording artist from this label that will give you that extraordinary sound that was never heard during that time. Incredibly, the record label was producing awesome Latin Soul, Northern Soul and phenomenal Salsa artists, however this record label was short-lived.
By the mid 70's Latin Soul music began to fade away. Another genre of music was making the scene and it was called Disco. Bataan's next big hit in 1979 was " Rap-O Clap-O " on Salsoul records, which he co-founed. It was the first Rap Disco hit with a smooth disco rhythm. While it didn't chart domestically, "Rap-O" went top 10 throughout Europe. "Rap-O, Clap-O" was accredited as the first Rap song in Europe. No recording artist has more impeccable street credentials than Joe Bataan, the originator of the New York Latin Soul style that paralleled Latin Boogaloo and anticipated Disco.
JOE BATAAN DISAPPEARS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. WAS HE DEAD AND BURIED ?
Right about the mid 1980's Joe Bataan became a ghost. For over 20 years Mr. Bataan disappeared. Was he living the good life and spending his money that he diligently worked for? Was he dead and we missed the news the day it was aired? Where did Joe Go? Doesn't that sound like a great title for his next song " Where Did Joe Go?" I think that would be cool Boogaloo tune.
 During his disappearance from the music industry, Mr. Bataan became a counselor for juveniles.
He visited many correction facilities including Spaford counseling youngsters and sharing his past
experience with crime, his conviction at the age of 15 and how he turned all that around for the better. Mr. Bataan never stopped working. Although he refrained from working in the music industry, not producing or recording any music for over 20 years, his job was counseling youngsters. For 20 years people asked Mr. Bataan to return but he refused and continued his counseling work for the kids.
JOE BATAAN RETURNS TO THE STAGE AND RECORDS A NEW ALBUM
Mr. New York Joe Bataan returned to the stage in 1995 after a 20-year halt from the music industry. At Hostos Community College in the Bronx he performed for a benefit. He also made several appearances at Columbia. In Columbia, he was given a weird request to sing one of his Latin Soul hits "Riot" Riot is like a national anthem in Columbia. I guess folks wanted to confirm they had the real Bataan and not a fake look alike. Mr. Bataan was amazed that many showed up and remembered his music.
On April 2005, Joe Bataan released a brand new album titled " Call My Name " on Vampisoul records. Vampisoul records usually deals with reissues of Latin Soul music but this time, they give us with a brand new LP by Mr. New York Joe Bataan. The album includes 8 new songs that sound very fresh. Mr. Bataan maintained his trademark, vintage sound with the use of instruments such as clavinette, Hammond organ, groovy bass, funky drums, Latin percussion and Bataan's voice which, as always, exudes his soul. It is wonderful to have our King of Latin Soul back on the scene again. He was missed dearly and his true fans cannot wait for his next album and concert.
Written by Andres Padua -- www.thelatinsoulshow.com
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