CHICKEN AND BOOZE / AGUARDIENTE Y POLLO by MANNY CORCHADO / NELSON Y SUS ESTRELLAS

A true boogaloo gem that blends Manny Corchado’s explosive rhythm with the melodic touch of salsa legend Nelson y sus Estrellas (available here on a 45 for the first time). Pure dance floor dynamite!

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Manny Corchado should be a household name for all boogaloo fans.

His classic track ‘Pow-Wow’ is one of the most sought-after singles among collectors and DJs—not just for its A-side, but also for the absolute dance floor bomb hidden on its B-side: ‘Chicken and Booze.’ This instrumental recording features an irresistible rhythm section that could practically serve as the definition of the boogaloo genre itself. In this case, it plays at a faster tempo than other similar hits, making it even more effective on the dance floor. The horn arrangements create a catchy hook, spiced up with percussion breaks, all while driving its addictive, fast-paced groove.

On the B-side of this single, we find another version of the same song—this time re-titled ‘Aguardiente y Pollo’ in Spanish—performed by Nelson y sus Estrellas. The tropical and salsa orchestra, founded in Venezuela by pianist, composer, and bandleader Nelson González Rojas, keeps the same punch and dance-driven focus as Corchado’s version, but adds more melodic and sophisticated arrangements, in the style of the other tracks featured on the band’s 1977 album, where this stunning cut was originally included (available here on a 45 for the first time).