For this new 45, "Matasuna Records" has once again delved into the "ATCO" and "Atlantic" vaults, pairing two mid-to-late 1960s cuts by "The Harvey Averne Dozen" and "Louie Ramirez & His Orchestra". Though connected through the wider New York Latin music scene of that time, the two sides take very different paths, ranging from warm, vocal-led "Latin Soul" crossover to rhythm-driven "Cha-Cha-Cha"/"Boogaloo" centred on movement and pulse. A concise pairing of two distinct yet complementary sides, now officially reissued on 45.
The mid-tempo Latin Soul crossover "You're No Good" by "The Harvey Averne Dozen", originally released in 1968, opens the "A-side" of the single.
A steady groove, built around drums, bass, and percussion, shapes the track, while the vibraphone and layered instrumentation add a distinct tonal colour. The arrangement is open and well-paced, allowing the individual parts to settle naturally without crowding each other. Lyrically, the song conveys a direct, unembellished message.
The recording also captures a wider moment in 1960s music, where established sounds gradually opened toward new directions and evolving forms.
The "B-side" features "Mueve la Cadera" by "Louie Ramirez & His Orchestra", originally released in 1965. Driven by percussion and sharp brass arrangements, the track gradually builds momentum through repeating vocal lines, shifting rhythmic tension, and tightly interwoven ensemble playing. The arrangement never stays in one spot for too long – pulling back, opening up and locking back into the groove as the track moves forward.
A raw sense of movement runs through the whole recording, carried as much by the percussion as by the orchestra's own energy.