by Tony Wilds
Recorded live at Chez José in New York, King of the Boogaloo is a fine boogaloo record, especially for a budget label. Two-thirds of the tunes are original and the rest are by the Joe Cuba Sextet and Johnny Rivera. Most are vocal in a campy, hoarse &soul& style; the singer (Terrace?) is not about to win any awards, but this is supposedly a live set full of spontaneity and joy. The initials in &D.M. Boogaloo,& one of the hipper instrumentals, surely refer to David L. Miller, the house producer and director for Alshire's budget Somerset label. One last thrill is the jacket photo of Terrace plinking away at the vibes while mod '60s dancers gyrate directly in front. Note that seven of the originals also appear on the ten-track Pete Terrace LP, Latin Soul, on Mio International.