The Hispanic funk groove of “La Valla” is the perfect example of the Truth & Soul aesthetic. Soulful and timeless, most listeners will be surprised to find that the song was penned and recorded a short time ago. Truth & Soul’s premier Latin soul outfit, Bronx River Parkway, is a collective of musicians from both New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Members include lead singer, Sammy Ayala, who was an original member of Cortijo y Su Combo. Other members have played with such legends as Roberto Roena and the Fania All-Stars.
The Background:
Fallin’ Off the Reel Vol. 2 follows the success of Truth and Soul’s first edition of the compilation, Fallin’ Off the Reel, released in the fall of 2006. The forthcoming second-edition Truth & Soul compilation boasts a varied roster of current-day and older funk and soul artists, including Timothy McNealy, El Michels Affair, Bronx River Parkway, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Tyrone Ashley’s Funk Music Machine, Black Velvet, Quincy Bright and The Fabulous Three. The compilation comprises a wide selection of contemporary music that has descended from the rhythm and blues, soul, and funk music traditions. Fallin’ Off The Reel Vol. 2 has every Truth & Soul 45 single presented in chronological order from 2006 until now (available for the first time on CD), including one previously unreleased bonus track.
About Truth & Soul: When Soul Fire Records officially retired in 2004, Soul Fire house musicians Leon Michels and Jeff Silverman started their own label, Truth & Soul, which has now become a label and production house based out of Brooklyn, NY that specializes in creating deep funk and soul music. They have released a slew of 7″ and 12″ vinyl releases by bands such as El Michels Affair, Bama & The Family, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Timothy McNealy, Asiko, Bronx River Parkway, and many more. Both Michels and Silverman produce, perform on, engineer, and mix all of the label’s releases and productions.
Audio Streams:
Bronx River Parkway – “La Valla”
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/TruthandSoul/Bronx_River_Parkway-La_Valla.asx