Seguida

An East Coast Latin rock band that mixes in a distinct blend of Afro-Cuban, salsa, R&B, soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop elements, Seguida were formed in 1972 when bassist and arranger Randolph Ortiz, then just 19 years old, had the vision to combine two Bronx barrio bands, Latin Soul Inc. and Devoshun, into one big-band unit. The newly christened Seguida quickly attracted a good deal of attention, and signed with Fania Records, releasing a debut album, Love Is...Seguida, on the imprint in 1974, which included the hit single "Mambo Rock." A second album, On Our Way to Tomorrow, which featured some disco elements, appeared a couple of years later in the summer of 1976, also from Fania Records. It would be three decades, though, before a reconfigured version of the band recorded Seguida III for Onroda Records in 2007. By now led by drummer Steve Adorno and featuring original members Louie Pérez on guitar and vocalists Lori Rose and Dawn Savio, this 21st century version of Seguida also included Pete Nater on trumpet, Adam Mason on bass, Gregory Rahiim Press on keyboards, vocalist Anthony Leon, Julian Myers on woodwinds, Jose Davila on trombone, Willie Olenick on trumpet, and congero Pito Castillo and Juan Gerena on timbales. The group's two original LPs have been reissued on CD, On Our Way to Tomorrow in 2005 and Love Is...Seguida in 2006.