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It's a great day at El Barrio: Bataan is back. The sun melts the sidewalks and the fire hydrants are colorful fountains, surrounded by kids dancing and enjoy themselves. It's a Holiday because East Harlem's best known afrofilipino, is back. The local radio DJ's are playing Joe Cuba, Johnny Colon, Cheo Feliciano, Hector Lavoe... Rhumba fills the streets and airwaves. The creator of Latin Soul has lost nothing since those early days –nothing of his essence. As the saying goes, whoever hits first hits twice, and there’s no rival for Bataan. Timeless and classic, the songs of "Call My Name" could have been recorded 30 years ago or be the introduction card for the next name from Spanish Harlem worthy of attention. Raw as life in the streets, the music of Joe Bataan and his band recalls memories of cities where races, dances and rhythms exist together. The sentiment is one of every corner, every gateway and every history of a regular young man living day-to-day in a big city. Each and every song on this album is a ray of light that melts the cold asphalt and shakes the knees of those walking along. The neighborhood crooner is back to save us from darkness, and give us back the desire to DANCE.
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