Saturday, March 28, 2009

A Thing Of Beauty Is A Joy Forever.....


I believe that's the way that saying goes. In keeping with that thought we would like to show you a real work of functional art from Our Man In Frisco, Geordie. Geordie makes beautiful guaguas which were already featured on these pages. We can now add Shekeres to his endeavors. Geordie chose wooden beads for his instruments and as anyone who has played a shekere with wooden beads knows, there is a distinctive sound. Geordie's contact information is available on the blog.

Justi Barreto.....Guaguanco '69


There is no doubt a glut of Rumba oriented CDs available at this point. Some of it better then others. Justi Barreto's Guaguanco '69 has stood the test of time. Celebrating it's 40th year, this album still ranks as one of the best of the genre. Que Viva Justi y La Rumba!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Marcus Gordon

I wanted to post a pic that our man in San Francisco sent over, (Geordie). He is playing a little rumba, and guess who stops by? Non other than Marcus Gordon. Marcus was a big early influence on the West Coast bata drumming scene, having come from New York, and playing with guys like Gene Golden. More info on Marcus soon...



(Per Geordie: I'm the golfer, the young guy is Matt Leffel, just moved here from NY and studies with Jesus Diaz, the guy with the beard is James aka taikonoatama who did the rumba clave blog and has a ton of drums, the other man (to the left) is Marcus Gordon.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Manny Oquendo....


It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of one of the greatest proponents of Afro-Caribbean Music. Manny Oquendo's resume reads like a who's who of luminaries with whom he has played his Timbal and Bongos. I first became aware of him as a member of Eddie Palmieri's La Perfecta where he and Tommy Lopez laid down some of the hottest and sweetest rhythms ever recorded. His work with Libre and Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental Nuevayorquino were ground breaking to say the least. Our deepest condolences to his family.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Ilu Aye 3.27.09



(Fidel, Jonathan, Bembesito, Norka, Photo Credit: Ilu Aye)

This Friday, if you got plans, than break them, if you want to impress your girl than take a trip uptown and catch Ilu Aye once again at the infamous "La Pregunta Arts Cafe". Definitely worth the price of admission.

La Pregunta Arts Cafe
1528 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10031
(347) 438-3236

They say 9pm, but probably won't start until 10pm, call ahead.

Manuel Martinez "El Llanero Solitario"

Willie told me about a new recording by Pedrito & Roman called "Rumbos de la Rumba." Needless to say, it is well done, and true to their style. Pedrito's quinto and singing is on point, and "Pescao" does an excellent job as well, chambele, chambele, chambele....etc....



It's been a while since I have written but this particular album has sparked my interest in the great Manuel Martinez. Manuel who came to NYC via the Mariel exodus, was and is probably the most overlooked, underrated and under-appreciated rumberos to hit these shores. Pedrito and Roman dedicate a track on their latest project to Manuel, aptly titled, "El Monumento". But this leads me to a specific question, what is going on with "El Llanero"? Is he still in the Bronx? How is his health? I hate to ask, but is he even still alive?

Can anyone drop some intel as to his whereabouts, and what he has been up to? Unfortunately the last pic I saw of Manuel had him laying up in some kind of resthome, but that's the last thing I've seen. Can anyone shed some light?



(Manuel doing what he does best, Photo Credit: Mark Sanders)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Bata Fundamento from the North West.....


Here is a great picture of Ricardo Guity's (Sango Dina) juego de bata fundamento billed as the only one of its kind in the North Western United States. Maferefun Chango! (Photo sent to us by JC Johnny Conga)

Sunday, March 15, 2009

July 4th in Totico's Backyard.....1999

It was hot...real hot..over 100 degrees...but that didn't stop the rumba. Julio Romero is on bass for those who may be wondering. Julio recorded with many Fania artists before eventually relocating to Finland. Victor Montanez takes the timbale solo.

Ruby Milagros Cepeda

Ruby, younger sister of Tito Cepeda, cousin of Chichito Cepeda, daughter of Nani "Chango" Cepeda and grand daughter of Don Rafael Cepeda, of Boriquen's first family of the Bomba passed away this week at the age of 50. May she rest in peace.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Ilu Aye 3.13.09 @ La ?



Its the usual suspects again playing their brand of funk. The good thing about Ilu is that you never know exactly what kind of set they are going to play, whether they will break out some cajones and play a "cajon de muerto", or bembe bakoso, a little seis corrido, etc...it would only seem right that their regular gig would be at a place called "La Pregunta". Catch them tomorrow 3/13/09 @ 9:30pm. I that will be $10 at the door.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Brecht Forum Rumba

Check this clip out, from what I can tell, Max is on tres golpes, Mark is on quinto, George is on tumbador, Barry is on guagua, Tito is dancing, and can anyone name the other cats?

(Video Credit: Exquisitemambo)


Friday, March 6, 2009

Taking a little time off.....

Sentimientomanana and Street Level Prods. are on a brief hiatus and I mean very brief. We are in the process of gathering some new videos for the site and will return very soon. In the meanwhile please enjoy what we have to offer and give us any feedback you feel will make it a better site. Thank You.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Rumba at Pete's Crib

More clips from the rumba, with Nicky on tumbas and Abi on quinto

(Video Credit: twistednyc2)