Grupo Fascinación

This vibrant New York salsa ensemble emerged during the 1980s, distinguished by skilled execution, spirited delivery and inventive charts. Its ten-member configuration featured lead and backing vocals, a full rhythm section and a horn line of three trumpets plus baritone saxophone, with some players doubling on flügelhorn and flute. Between 1983 and 1986 the group issued exactly three albums, all released on Ralph Cartagena’s Rico Records. New York native Johnny Rivera served as lead vocalist for four years; his parents hailed from Ciales, Puerto Rico, and he is the nephew of veteran salsa singer Adalberto Santiago, whose encouragement launched his career. Rivera’s prior affiliation was with Los Rodríguez. After sharing leads with Alfredo ‘Tito’ González on the band’s last Rico release, Salsa Vice, he departed for Conjunto Clásico. Two albums later, Johnny moved to Ralph Mercado’s RMM imprint and launched his solo career with the well-received Y Ahora De Verdad in 1990, later appearing at the second edition of the New York Salsa Festival in 1991.

On the debut Fascinating Sounds, bongos and cowbell were handled by Richie Bastar, son of Puerto Rican percussionist and bandleader Kako; Sammy ‘Timbalón’ Pagán took the chair for the 1985 follow-up Tiburón, while seasoned sideman Eddie Montalvo assumed conga duties on Salsa Vice in 1986. Founder Vincent Vélez Jnr. contributed baritone saxophone and crafted many of the group’s charts. Pianist Roberto Navarro had earlier served as musical director for Guarare on the 1981 album Onda Típica. He then joined forces with composer-guitarist José ‘Kokie’ Colón, whose financial backing proved decisive, to assemble Típica ’88. The new unit incorporated Tito González, Eddie Montalvo, Sammy Pagán and three additional alumni from Fascinación’s roster; their 1988 album En La Feria De La “Salsa” featured songs written entirely by Colón, with Navarro responsible for arrangements, production, musical direction and keyboards, yielding a standout recording. Trombonist Joe de Jesús, a City College of New York classmate of Navarro, participated in the session and later characterized it as “swinging.” His résumé encompasses work with Rafael Cortijo and Kako, Ray Barretto, Guarare, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Adalberto Santiago, Hansel And Raúl, Los Vecinos, Camilo Azuquita and David Byrne. When Típica ’88 delivered its 1989 follow-up It Feels So Good!, only Navarro, Montalvo and trumpeter Lionel Román remained from the earlier lineup.