Café

Here’s another long-lost Latin/soul/rock rarity from the same era, but recorded for Fania’s Vaya imprint. Produced by Ray Barretto, it was the New York septet’s only recording. Unlike the timeless Fania All Stars’ release, Café is more mired in time. Sung in Spanish and English, the 11 numbers on the album inhabit the groovy territory of early Santana and prime-time The (Young) Rascals. While the deliciously smoochy ‘I Like to Be With You’, with its swirling organ and strong melody, is pure ‘All Day Music’ by War, ‘Don’t Let Me Cry Again’ ramps up the cringe-ometer. Nevertheless, there’s enough strong material to make this worthwhile.