Macondo. 1972 USA-California

Had a +1 listen last night...

Because the CD is a bare-bones issue on Wounded Bird, I don't know much about Macondo (nor does the original LP afford much). Reading online, it appears they were from East L.A. and discovered by Sergio Mendes (and it's produced by his company). Macondo were one of many Latin rock groups actively playing in the early 1970s, hoping to cash in on the success of Santana, or even other local California favorites like Malo and El Chicano. A typical one-and-done band that time forgot.

Other than 'Cayuco' and, to a lesser extent 'Almendra', Macondo do not really attempt a Santana like sound. Macondo are more a gritty street-level fighting group. Probably 'Do It to Me' and 'Get It on Girl' are the most bare-knuckle tracks on the album, and are here to let you know Macondo mean business. 'Why' is the most out of place song here, sounding like a Latin rock version of Crosby Stills and Nash. I found it a highly appealing combination myself. 'Sneaking in the Back Door' is a straight up hard rocker whereas 'Wishes' has more of an AM radio focus, but is still appealing. 'Can't Make Love Alone' and 'Battery' are what define Macondo best. A heavy rocking sound, nothing too complicated, with some great grooves and organ/guitar solos. In fact both could be considered a proto-Chango, and for moi, there is no better Latin rock album than Chango's debut. 'Never Thought I'd See You Gone' is the other odd track out along with 'Why'. There's a distinct late 60s Haight-Ashbury hippy vibe, but with some very interesting heavy Hammond organ leads.

Overall an excellent album, though probably not fair to compare to Santana. Different outcome from a similar scene.

Ownership: LP: 1972 Atlantic. LP is a recent find at a thrift shop. Single sleeve. Wounded Bird are one of the last of the die hard, old school, reissue labels. No information, photos, history, bonus tracks... no nuthin'. But it's a legit reissue taken from the master tapes, which is better than no CD reissue at all. Like those old One Way reissues that everyone is in a hurry to upgrade away from today.

CD: 2010 Wounded Bird. Standard jewel case.

11/1/10 (new entry); 5/12/20 (update)