Starting to play the trumpet at the age of 12, Colón switched to the trombone two years later. Making his recording debut in 1967, for Al Santiago's Futura label, Colón became a victim of misfortune when the label folded. Colón was much more successful when he signed with Johnny Pacheco's Fania label. When his vocalist failed to make Colón's first session for the label, Pacheco suggested Hector Lavoe as a replacement. The collaboration proved fruitful when two singles from Colón's first two albums (El Malo, Guisando) — "Jazzy" and "I Wish I Had a Watermelon" — became hits. Lavoe remained a vital member of Colón's band until the mid-'70s when an increased drug addiction caused him to miss or show up late for several gigs. Although their partnership formally ended in 1975, Colón and Lavoe continued to work together. Lavoe's last album, Strikes Back, released in 1987, was produced by Colón.
In 1975, Colón balanced his schedule as director of the Latin Jazz All Stars with studies in music theory, composition, and orchestration. His increased knowledge paid off quickly. In 1978, Colón was named Musician, Producer, and Trombone Player of the Year in a readers poll conducted by Latin New York. Three years later, he received an award as Musician of the Year and his album Fantasmas was named Album of the Year. Colón continued to garner acclaim when his album Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos received a Grammy award in 1982.
Although they met backstage before a concert in Panama in 1969, Colón and Blades didn't begin collaborating until five years later. While working on the album The Good-The Bad-The Ugly, Colón asked Blades to sing on the Blades-penned tune "El Cazanguero," which reflected on Blades' experiences as a law student working in a Panamanian prison. The session was so satisfying that Blades became a full-time member of Colón's band following the departure of Lavoe. Their 1978 album Siembra became the top-selling album in Fania's catalog. Despite their success, Blades severely quarreled with label president Jerry Mascucci over money. Although Colón recorded two solo albums — El Baquine de Angelitos Negros in 1977 and Solo in 1979 — and Blades recorded a solo album, Maestra Vida, in 1980, their solo work failed to match the commercial success of their joint efforts.
In 1981, the two musicians resumed their partnership with Blades playing coro on Colón's solo album Fantasmas. The following year, they collaborated on the Grammy-winning album Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos, which yielded the hits singles "Tiburon," "Ligia Elena," and "Te Estan Buscando." Their partnership again proved short-lived as Colón and Blades split up after working on the film The Last Fight. The split was far from amiable and the two musicians continued to feud until reuniting for a concert at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan in March 1992. Despite collaborating on the album Tras la Tormenta in 1995, Colón and Blades recorded their parts separately. Following a reunion concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1997, Colón and Blades performed a series of concerts together.
In the late '80s, Colón formed a new band, Legal Aliens, with younger musicians. Signing with Sony, Colón and the band recorded Color Americano in 1990 and Honra y Cultura in 1991. Two years later, Colón recorded Hecho en Puerto Rico with an all-star band featuring ex-members of the Fania All-Stars, Papo Lucca and Bobby Valentin. Since leaving Sony over a lack of promotional support, Colón continued to remain active.
Cheche cole
Willie Colón Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Al estilo Africano
Si no lo sabes bailar
Yo te enseñaré mi hermano
A ti te gusta la bomba
Y te gusta el baquiné
Para que goces ahora
Che che colé, que bueno e'
Che che cofriza, muerto 'e la risa
Oye tú sentado allá
Pareces venezolano
Ven aquí vamo' a bailar
Que todos somos hermanos
Lo bailan en Venezuela
Lo bailan en Panamá
Este ritmo es africano
Y donde quiera va' acabar
Che che colé, que bueno e'
Che che cofiza, muerto 'e la risa
Ya yo sé que te gustó
Quieres bailarlo otra vez
Bailalo en la punta del pie
Y veras que bueno es
Ya yo sé que te gustó
Quieres bailarlo otra vez
Pues ponte bien los zapatos
Que los tienes al revés
Che che colé, que bueno e'
Che che cofiza, muerto 'e la risa
The lyrics to Willie Colón's song Che Che Cole are a call to dance, specifically to an African-style beat, which the singer claims to be able to teach those unfamiliar with it. It seems that the song was written as a way to unite people of different backgrounds, with the line "todos somos hermanos" (we are all brothers) suggesting a message of unity and a shared human experience. The lyrics also mention specific dances, such as the bomba and baquiné, which further emphasize the cultural exchange and mix of influences that create the distinctive sound and rhythm of the music.
The refrain, "che che colé, que bueno e' / che che cofriza, muerto 'e la risa" seems to be a playful nonsense rhyme, with "che che" perhaps echoing the sound of the rhythm itself, and "cofriza" and "muerto 'e la risa" just sounding whimsical and fun. The emphasis on dancing and enjoyment reflects the central role that music and dance play in many cultures, as a way to connect with others and express joy and emotion.
Overall, the lyrics to Che Che Cole suggest a celebration of cultural exchange and a shared love of music and dance, with an emphasis on the joyful, lighthearted aspects of the experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Vamos todos a bailar
Let's all go and dance
Al estilo Africano
In the African style
Si no lo sabes bailar
If you don't know how to dance it
Yo te enseñaré mi hermano
I'll teach you, brother
A ti te gusta la bomba
You like bomba music
Y te gusta el baquiné
And you like baquine dance
Para que goces ahora
So you can enjoy it now
Africano es el bembé
Bembe is African
Che che colé, que bueno e'
Che Che Cole, how good it is
Che che cofriza, muerto 'e la risa
Che Che Cofriza, dead with laughter
Oye tú sentado allá
Hey you, sitting over there
Pareces venezolano
You look Venezuelan
Ven aquí vamo' a bailar
Come here, let's dance
Que todos somos hermanos
Because we're all brothers
Lo bailan en Venezuela
They dance it in Venezuela
Lo bailan en Panamá
They dance it in Panama
Este ritmo es africano
This rhythm is African
Y donde quiera va' acabar
And it will end up everywhere
Ya yo sé que te gustó
I know you liked it already
Quieres bailarlo otra vez
You want to dance it again
Bailalo en la punta del pie
Dance it on the tip of your toe
Y veras que bueno es
And you'll see how good it is
Pues ponte bien los zapatos
So put on your shoes well
Que los tienes al revés
Because they're on the wrong way
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: WILLIAM COLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luckylouie522
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UccSgT3BXJA
Angel Luis Vazquez
Cuando regresé del Army en febrero del 1970, esta canción se escuchaba por todas partes, radio, televisión y por supuesto en todas las velloneras de Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.
hugo alfonso
Esta música tan maravillosa de Hector Lavoe me corre por las venas y me produce cierta nostalgia.Saludos desde Bogotá-Colombia
Adwoa
I wonder if all Latin Americans listening to song know that in Ghana we also have this saying "KYE KYE KOLE, KYE KYE KOFISA, KOFI SALANGA ( Northern Ghana Name)... LA LA SHILANGA....KUM ADE NE" This was my childhood and my mother's childhood play song. I had to let my mother listen to the remnants of West African folk-song in Latin America! Latin America and Africa strong!
Wayne Lawson
That was one song we used to sing in 4th grade music class here in South Carolina back in 1974.
Dan 747
Wowww that's a good story brother didnt know i will findd out more about it
MALECONCHORRILLANO
Bien interesante, al principio dice Este ritmo africano, las miasmas palabras
kheo
Where can I find the ghana version
Franklin NJ
Esta es la version Africana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8WL5uvj2u0
Un viaje a Africa no cairia mal para inspiraciones y ritmos.
Prod.Rec🛸
Dedicada a mi padre donde quiera que se encuentre, le doy gracias por dejarme tan gran gusto musical. Que viva la SALSA!!!!! Q. E. D MISTERSALSA