bongo
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« on: June 26, 2004, 09:11 AM » |
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A favorite conga solo is Jose Chepito Areas in the song 'Waiting', the first song on the first side of the first Santana album.
Listen and hear Chepito vamp on a call and answer phrase over Michael Carabello's guaguanco, then take a solo over a bass drum keyboard guajeo. At the end he drops back into the original rhythm and takes it out.
Chepito's solo is a nice mix of pops and open tones, played in clave with fire and spirit.
I believe Jose was playing Gon Bops at this point time of his career, as I have seen early photos and film. Michael, I believe, was playing Valje. Chepito used a cupped hand technique to produce his nice hollow sounding pops.
On the same album is the cover of the Olatunji tune 'Jingo'. It was interesting in early film to see Chepito use a floor tom and cymbal to drive the heavy beat.
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bongo
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« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2004, 06:22 PM » |
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Another favorite conga solo is on the Santana III album in the song "Toussaint L'Overture".
The solo is is played over a bass guajeo and there is call and answer chanting going. I believe it is Michael Carabello, the solo is typical of his style with the open double roll breaking into syncopated slaps and open tones. Real hot saucy stuff there.
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bongo
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« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2004, 06:39 PM » |
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Another great percussion recording is on the Santana 'Abraxas' album. The song is "El Nicoya" and features Chepito soloing on first congas, then timbales across a moderately fast guaguanco. He rips it up and shows why, in my opinion, he is one of the most impressive latin players ever recorded.
Funny how Chepito gets left off of lists of the great players complied by Ed Uribe, Charley Gerard, and Poncho Sanchez. I think it may be because the rock roots of Santana are not considered traditional enough.
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windhorse
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« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2004, 04:28 PM » |
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Oh, you mean humans... Well, that's open for debate,, but there's Giovanni Hidalgo, and then there's everyone else...  Just kidding,, but really, he is not from this world! Definitely the best I've seen. |
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Drumlooney
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« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2004, 12:49 PM » |
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Oh, you mean humans... Well, that's open for debate,, but there's Giovanni Hidalgo, and then there's everyone else... Just kidding,, but really, he is not from this world! Definitely the best I've seen. Amen! |
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2004, 12:58 PM » |
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I saw Giovanni play a timbal solo at Modern Drummers Drum Festival Weekend a few years back. He had a Brazilian drum sitting on the floor (the big drum they hit for the bass tones...surdo?), and he was cross sticking during his solo and hitting the drum on the floor BELOW the tims! He's incredible!  |
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Drumlooney
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« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2004, 01:00 PM » |
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I saw Giovanni play a timbal solo at Modern Drunners Drum Festival weekend a few years back. He had a Brazilian drum sitting on the floor (the big drum they hit for the bass tones..surdo?), and he was cross sticking during his solo and hitting the drum on the floor BELOW the tims! He's incredible!
I got that on Video, he's an amazing musician. |
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bongo
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« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2004, 04:39 PM » |
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Well you guys, thanks for the input, I'll have to check out that Modern Drummer dvd.
No doubt Giovanni is in a league of his own. I love the solo 'My Soul Beat' he does on the ''Hands of Rhythm'' album.
Anyone got anymore great specific solos they can point me to?
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2004, 04:58 AM » |
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If you want to hear a great timbale player, it would have to be Endel Dueno. He used to play with Roberto Roena from Puerto Rico. He does a solo in the last song on Roena's 6th album ( I think?). One of the most incredible solos ever! it sounds like he has 4 arms! He also takes a solo on one of Tommy Olivencia's album. In the song they call him "el nuevo rey del timbal" ( the new king of timbal), which was of course a put down to Puente. Not many people liked that. He is one of those unsung heroes...and Jose "Chepito" Areas (Santana) also, as was stated earlier.
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B-cero
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« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2004, 11:36 AM » |
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Jerry Gonzales of 'Fort Apache band', has a pretty unique style, he plays a great conga solo on the dvd "Calle 54" right after finishing his trumpet solo!
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2004, 12:23 PM » |
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Calle 54 is a tremendous DVD. Giovanni takes a solo on the Puente section as does Puente, on vibes and timbal. The section with Chucho Valdes "tickling the ivorys" is something to see also.
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agogobil
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« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2004, 02:21 PM » |
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Many, many nice conga solos out there ...
Two of my favorites are:
Miguel "Anga" Diaz on "Anabis", from the AFROCUBANISMO! cd by Irakere.
I don't specifically know who the soloist(s?) are on this one, but it's a keeper - "El Alcalde" from the Cachao - Master Sessions Vol.1 cd.
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mangorockfish
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« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2004, 04:20 AM » |
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What is this Calle 54 dvd and where can I pick it up? Sounds TOO COOL!! Thanks, MRF |
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2004, 04:54 AM » |
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Calle 54 was a movie/documentary. Your best bet is to buy it online. Most stores or movie rental places won't have it. It's definately worth buying.
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2004, 05:00 AM » |
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Speaking of Cachao...his cds, Master sessions vol. 1 & 2 are great for Latin percussion solos. Also, check out Ray Barettos CD 'Que Viva La Musica'. It has the classic song 'Cocinando'. The song has conga, bongo, timbales solos one right after the other. Then check out the song 'Alafia Cumaye' (same album) for a nice mozambique rhythm, and 'La Pelota' where Orestes Vilato plays a NASTY solo!
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bongo
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« Reply #15 on: July 01, 2004, 08:30 PM » |
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Thanks amigos, I really appreciate the leads on songs. I picked up the CALLE 54 dvd (at Borders for $13) and I'm watching it now. What great music, what talent there is in the world.
You know another guy I have always appreciated is Eddie Montalvo, who played tumbadora for Ruben Blades and Willie Colon. I don't have the names of specific songs, but man I can still hear some of those tunes in my head. There was one song that starts off with the sound of sea gulls and then a radio being switched from channel to channel until they find the latin sound. There is a BLOWING trombone solo that leads into a CHOPP'IN conga solo. Just love it. I got to find that recording on CD, only got it buried somewhere on cassette. Ruben Blades should be elected the next president of Panama or something.
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #16 on: July 02, 2004, 05:15 AM » |
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Eddie Montalvo is great. George Delgado is another NY based guy who has come up through the ranks. He is playing with Eddie Palmieri now. You can check out some congueros on Latin Percussions web site. I recently discovered that a friend and fellow musician of mine Chino Bolanos is also on the LP site. Another conguero who is not so well know is Kimo Solis, another great PLAYER. |
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Drumlooney
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« Reply #17 on: July 02, 2004, 06:40 AM » |
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Eddie Montalvo is great. George Delgado is another NY based guy who has come up through the ranks. He is playing with Eddie Palmieri now. George Delgado has been in the ranks for decades, he's a monster and a heck of a nice guy, he's resume is amazing, he played witht the late Tito Puente and is also a teacher at boys harbor (a music school that teaches salsa here in NYC). Look out for a guy named Andres Bermudez, he's a young venezuelan who's curently playing with "Grupo Niche" he's gonna turn some heads soon. |
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You don't practice one day no one notices, you don't practice two days you notice, you don't practice three days everyone notices.
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2004, 05:17 AM » |
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Hey Drumlooney who are you playing with?
I know about Boys Harbor, I've been there a few times checking out rehearsals for Eddie Santiago, whom I've played bongos with myself.
I did a gig years ago with George at a Jazz Mobile in Newark, NJ along with Andy Gonzalez (bass) for a very good friend of mine, Leonard Pollara
(trombone), who plays with Libre. Are you currently playing in the NYC Latin "cuchifrito" circuit?
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Drumlooney
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« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2004, 06:34 AM » |
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Hey Paul, yeah I'm playing in the cuchifrito circuit, lmao. I'll send you a Private Message on the rest.
Jose
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windhorse
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« Reply #20 on: October 13, 2004, 06:55 PM » |
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Could've started a new thread here,, but just wanted a spot to turn people onto an INCREDIBLE conga CD!
One of the most fabulous Cuban Flolkloric CDs ever has got to be Los Monequitos' Vacunao!
I've been listening to it for days I'm completely mezmerized by the great percussion dialogues in the different Rumbas!
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Filacteria
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« Reply #21 on: October 13, 2004, 07:33 PM » |
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You know another guy I have always appreciated is Eddie Montalvo, who played tumbadora for Ruben Blades and Willie Colon. I don't have the names of specific songs, but man I can still hear some of those tunes in my head. There was one song that starts off with the sound of sea gulls and then a radio being switched from channel to channel until they find the latin sound. There is a BLOWING trombone solo that leads into a CHOPP'IN conga solo. Just love it. I got to find that recording on CD, only got it buried somewhere on cassette. Ruben Blades should be elected the next president of Panama or something.
¡¡¡Dios mÃo, POR FIN algo que yo puedo entender!!! Bongo, That song you talk about is Blades' CLASSIC hit "Tiburón" (sp. for Shark). I believe it belongs in 1981's "El Son del Solar de Los Aburridos". Many nice tunes on that record: "Ligia Elena", "El Telefonito", "Madame Kalalú", etc. The trombone is played by none other than his "partner in crime", Mr. Willie Colón (back in the day, in his top form...) However, if you want to hear Montalvo in serious action, do get hold of Ruben's "Live" 1989 album (under Elektra, I believe). Track 5, "Todos Vuelven", has one of the most exciting conga solos I've ever heard... P.S. Blades did run for president of Panama...and was beat  |
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Filacteria
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« Reply #22 on: October 13, 2004, 07:41 PM » |
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Also, check out Ray Barettos CD 'Que Viva La Musica'. It has the classic song 'Cocinando'. The song has conga, bongo, timbales solos one right after the other. Then check out the song 'Alafia Cumaye' (same album) for a nice mozambique rhythm, and 'La Pelota' where Orestes Vilato plays a NASTY solo!
Paul, My father has an LP of a Barreto 1976 concert in Beacon Theater, NYC called "Tomorrow: Barreto Live". They play a live version of "Que Viva la Música" which is absolutely incredible. TITO PUENTE steps in for a solo break, followed by Vilato. Don't even get me started... Another major plus is the inclusion of most of Barreto's big hits of the day: "Ban Ban Quere"(w. Blades doing killer vocals), "Guarare", "Cocinando", etc... A winner record. All of the original singers were there and in top shape to boot: Adalberto Santiago, Tito Allen, Tito Gómez, Rubén Blades... Sheer salsa bliss... |
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #23 on: October 14, 2004, 04:59 AM » |
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What's up Filacteria! Your response of "Don't even get me started" cracked me up! I know what you mean. I have that album (yes on vinyl). I used to DJ Salsa years ago and I have over 300 albums. Barretto, Pacheco, Roena, LaVoe, "El Conde", Colon, Cachao, Adalberto, Tito Allen, etc. GREAT vinyl! I have Perico's first album, Alfredo DeLaFe, early Oscar D'Leon, Cachao's "Cuban Jam Sessions in Minature" in vinyl on the Panart label. I can go on and on and on.... I even have Santana's brothers band 'Malo's' first 3 albums on vinyl. Azteca on vinyl...blah, blah, blah. See if your father has Roberto Roena's album #6, (it's a fold down album cover with Roena soloing on bongo with sticks). The song "herencia Rumbera" for a KILLER timbal solo by Endel Dueno. Endel also plays with the Puerto Rico All-Stars, which are also KILLER albums. There is a bongo bell solo on "Changuite" which is nice. Another bongo bell solo that's nice is on Jose Mangual's album "Tribute to Chano Pozo" the song "Campanero". By the way I have those 2 albums on vinyl too! HAAAAAAAAAA! Take care. Que Viva La Salsa! Paul |
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dannydrumperc
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« Reply #24 on: October 14, 2004, 06:05 AM » |
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Well guys, youve mentioned most of my heroes already  ! Just a few more to add: Ralph Irizarry – both Timbalaye CDs are plenty of excellent solos (I like him more than Endel Dueño). The conguero in the CDs threw a few good chops too (dont remember his name). Luis Conte – Phil Collinss "Live and loose in Paris". He is my "this century" hero. Angel "Cachete" Maldonado and Anthony Carrillo – their work with Puya. They are great on both CDs (Fundamental and Union) but they are even better live. Seen them twice. Maybe Filacteria have seen them too (have you?). To me, Puya is the Santana of this century. I like them a lot more than Ozomatli (they sound too Mexican). Puya really knows how to "rumbear" in metal. Right now Im listening to Santanas Caravanserai (thanks for the advise Bongo) and definitely Chepito is my "last century" hero along with Michael Shrieve. |
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Filacteria
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« Reply #25 on: October 14, 2004, 06:34 AM » |
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Danny:
We opened for Puya in the Mayaguez show of their 2000 Union tour of PR. I also went to see them live @ El Anfi. Killer band and killer percussion work.
Now that Cachete has AT LAST been mentiones, I must URGE those who are truly serious about afro-caribbean music to grab a hold of any of the Batacumbele albums, especially the first one "Un poco de songo"
Congas, Batas & Shekeres: Cachete & Giovanni
Drums: Ignacio Berroa
Vocals: Jerry Rivera
Flute: Nestor Torres
etc...
Also "Grupo Folkrorico Experimental Nuevayorkino". It's an old recording with a lot of different Cuban (Manny Oquendo, Nelson Gonzalez, Chocolate Armenteros, etc.) and Puertorrican (Andy Gonzalez, Jerry Gonzalez, Oscar Hernandez, etc.) salsa musicians who were living in NYC at the time of the fabled Fania label...a must have...
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dannydrumperc
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« Reply #26 on: October 14, 2004, 07:50 AM » |
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Now that Cachete has AT LAST been mentiones, I must URGE those who are truly serious about afro-caribbean music to grab a hold of any of the Batacumbele albums, especially the first one "Un poco de songo"
Congas, Batas & Shekeres: Cachete & Giovanni
Drums: Ignacio Berroa
Vocals: Jerry Rivera
Flute: Nestor Torres
etc...
I have my copy right here by side. Recovered it this morning. Thought it was lost  I also have their last live CD. Giovanni plays drums!!! |
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PaulDperc
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« Reply #27 on: October 14, 2004, 04:00 PM » |
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There are 2 "Grupo Folkrorico Experimental Nuevayorkino" albums. The second album has a song called "cortelbonche" (it's probably spelled wrong) where Manny Oquendo takes a SLAMMIN'" timbal solo!
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tamboricua
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« Reply #28 on: October 15, 2004, 09:02 AM » |
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Hola Drummers Café,
Bill Fitch's conga solo on the tune "Insight" from Carl Tjader Soña Libre album deserve to be required listening material for conga students. You are in for a treat!
Also check out Tito de Gracia's work on his debut album "My Latin Roots". For those of you not familar with Tito's work. He is one of the first call studio musicians in Puerto Rico these days.
All around killer percussionist!
Paoli Mejias "Mi Tambor" is another favorite.
Saludos,
Jorge Ginorio
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dannydrumperc
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« Reply #29 on: October 15, 2004, 09:54 AM » |
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Good to see you are back, Jorge. Puertoricans in da' house!  |
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Filacteria
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« Reply #30 on: October 17, 2004, 07:09 PM » |
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There are 2 "Grupo Folkrorico Experimental Nuevayorkino" albums. The second album has a song called "cortelbonche" (it's probably spelled wrong) where Manny Oquendo takes a SLAMMIN'" timbal solo!
Sho Nuff The only one I've heard is VOl. 1. Beautiful work all around. I especially love the Bata "toques". |
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bongo
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« Reply #31 on: October 19, 2004, 06:20 AM » |
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A lot of good leads here on some great music, thanks everyone.
I've ordered a couple of Ruben Blade recordings I did not have on digital and I'm trying to find some of the others you suggested. Several of them are going to be hard to find, the early Ray Baretto and Batacumbele aren't available through amazon.com, at least not at the moment.
I picked up 'Union' by Puya this weekend. Wow, the band does play some heavy latin. Unfortunately it is like two bands on one CD, their heavy metal headbanger stuff with the cookie monster vocals I could do without, and to me messes with the overall listenability of the album. If a guy sounds like he is hacking loogy, he needs a hankie not a microphone.
Anyway the band is good, it's got heavy guitar and heavy drums, Rage type rap, and I've never heard such heavy latin. Puya is quite a band, I want to check their other album too.
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« Reply #32 on: October 19, 2004, 07:44 AM » |
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If liked Unoin you will like even more Fundamental. It has Songo and Plena fused with metal . It also has the song that Tito Trinidad used to enter to the ring when he fought Oscar de la Hoya. I'm still guessing: why the song is named "Trinidad"? They are my favorite local band by far. |
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