Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised on the lower east side of Manhattan, Ray Lugo has experienced such an enormous variety of music in his life time, from attending gigs by Fania Records super stars with his parents as a young boy, though to being a roadie on the Beastie Boys 'License to Ill' tour, performing in bands, managing bands, running record labels and club nights - Ray has seen the music world from every angle possible.
Rays' teenage years in New York saw him immersed in the vibrant Big Apple music scene, working as a roadie, band manager, studio engineer and label manager before taking to the stage in alternative rock and latin ska bands in the early 1990s and eventually forming Kokolo Afrobeat, who established a worldwide reputation through touring and recordings, Ray never lost that love for latin music he had experienced in his early years and often talked about a possible latin music project when he could find the time. In 2010, he finally achieved that dream. Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers were born!
For the record, boogaloo was the New York fusion of latin music, rhythm & blues and soul which immediately became the soundtrack for second and third generation Puerto Ricans raised on son, guaracha, bomba and plena but who equally loved Tamla Motown, James Brown and Ray Charles! With it's English and often double entendre lyrics and street-slang, it appealed to everyone. It didn't matter if you were black, white, brown, Latino, Italian, Jewish or African-American.....anybody could dance the boogaloo!
On this album, Ray's repertoire consists of classics from the likes of El Gran Combo, Willie Rosario, Ray Barretto, and Mongo Santamaria though Ray has re-arranged some tracks and added new lyrics and choruses to others. From the opening track 'Soy El Rey Del Boogaloo' to the final song 'Lugo's Boogaloo', this album proves in the 21st century, boogaloo is still alive and kicking in New York City and Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers are the leaders of the new school!
Viva La Nueva Generacion!
Lubi Jovanovic
International salsa DJ & CD compiler
(Fania/Nascente/Freestyle)
Freestyle Records continues to deliver fine, fine music and great Latin sets like Mi Watusi will keep any and every party swinging. The musicianship [once again] is top draw and the feel, whilst
broadly boogaloo based, has awider appeal for Latin fans.A refreshing, carefree abandon and an irresistible summer feel. - Echoes magazine
Do you have hips? Do they work? Well, this is an album sure to get the shake out of your sides and the footwork stomping. - Green Aroow radio Mr G
nice classic boogaloo sound for the 21.century - FURTHER IN FUSION Mark Milz
Superb production. old school flava - me like! - DJ Alex Attias
This is classic 'feel good music, the only thing I can't imagine doing to this music is sleeping. - WTNR Radio.com T Bird
Absolutely Fabulous stuff, totally authentic and swings with the best from the golden age of the Bugaloo. Love it! - Gazz Amsterdam DJ Graham B
A shocker for the dancefloor - it's a very strong release! - Juice 107.2 John Warr
Pure feel good vibes - a welcome return to an original sound of the 60s - Eclectic Jazz Phil Levene
Everything that Ray Lugo touches turns funky and this foray into Latin groove is no exception. Can't wait to unleash some of these tracks on the dance floor - Six Degrees Records Bob Duskis
Heavy danceable excursion in boogaloo by Ray Lugo! Warmly welcomed at the Radio Show and at the Ballroom night! A must have for the summer. - Flying carpet Radio Show Lorenzo
I cannot stop my feet listening to this album!! - Gru Radio Black Mighty Wax
Authentic latin boogaloo to shake your shingaling thing to! Top stuff.. - Frootful Art Collective Nick Radford
The old spirit of Joe Cuba & new style fresh! - Radio Suisse Romande Jean Marc Baehler
Honestly, it’s like the golden era of Fania Records resurrected. Anyone planning on releasing their own boogaloo project is going to need a sizeable amount of game though because this has it in spades, just the thing for changing up your funk and soul set on the steamy summer nights to come. - Monkeyboxing.com
Essential music from the Freestyle crew. Big up Mr Lugo and Big up the Boogaloo! - Black & Blue, RTRFM 92.1 Paul Gamblin
Spanking fresh latin boogaloo action cooked to perfection. - WESU 88.1 FM Jason Villani
Classic and contemporary, like a Puerto Rican time machine, guaranteed to fill the dance floor. Freestyle is always ahead of the curve! - Hip City Radio Show Chris Lawyer
Pass my regards to all at Freestyle and Ray for the absolutely STONKING album!!! I've collected Latin Boogaloo/Latin Soul for donkey's years and they've absolutely nailed it. 10/10 sure fire hit! - Jumbo Records/Hi Fi Club Matt Bradshaw
Dope covers of all time boogaloo classics with a modern twist. The Boogaloo Destroyers know their roots and how to update it ... Great Album - FM Brussel DJ Kwak
It may be 2011, but Ray Lugo sure knows how to capture the essence of the old school Latin vibe. Well done, indeed! - Urban Landscapes Velanche
Capturing the essence of a sound of past years is a true talent and the musicians along with Ray have nailed this! Much Respect! - Respect Music Radio James Canning
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![Mi Watusi by Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers - Freestyle Records [FSRCD087]](https://media.kudosdistribution.co.uk/fsrcd087/800/cover.ki)
