Orquesta Novel

Cuban-type charanga band formed in New York in 1961, led by Afro-Cuban pianist, arranger, composer, vocalist [a694872], they cover a varierty of styles (boleros, cha cha chas, disco, boogaloo, jazz-funk, Latin jazz, mambo, salsa, son montuno), dominated by the sound of flute and violins — also known as Orchestra, Charanga or Orquesta Tipica Novel.
Made Do The Boogaloo c.'67 on Fonseca; signed with TR Records and debuted on that label with Se Colo La Novel '73, followed by Super Típica '74, Sabrosa Novel '75, Tipicante '75 and With A Touch Of Brass '75, latter featuring trumpeter Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros, with brass arrangements and trombone by Barry Rogers best-of TR material compiled on Lo Mejor de Típica Novel '78. Initially known as Tipica Novel, they were renamed Orquesta Novel when moving to Fania Records for albums including Salsamania '76, with Rogers on trombone, brass arrangements by Mark Weinstein; Salud, Dinero y Amor '78 featuring trumpeter Ray Maldonado (deceased brother of Ricardo Ray); dropped the brass for Canta y Encanta '79; added trombone of Papo Vásquez to the lineup on Que Viva El Son Montuno '80; aimed Novel Experience '80 at the crossover market with pop hits in charanga style and sung in English; A Mi Me Gustó '81 and Prestige '84 included Jimmy Bosch on trombone (see Libre); From New York City '89 was their last Fania outing. 'The Genius of Salsa' Louie Ramírez produced many of Novel's albums during the '70s. Notable personnel included African- American violinist/arranger Eddie Drennon, who produced their '80-1 albums; flautist/composer/arranger Mike García played flute on early to mid-'70s LPs, the slot subsequently filled by a variety of flautists, all also arrangers: Don Gonzalo Fernández, Mauricio Smith, and Nestor Torres, also percussionist and producer.