Sentimiento Manana

Felix w Sonido Isleno

2011-12-08T13:05:00.004-05:00

Felix "Quinto Kid" Sanabria doing what he does best...he is arguably one of the main rumba and santo fixtures in NYC today. I have heard Felix's story many times and it never gets old. I believe he is still teaching so if you want to learn from the best you need to reach out.(both videos uploaded to youtube by the man himself)

Ibae...

2011-07-06T16:20:00.002-04:00

(Video Credit: Felix Sanabria)

Ibae...Tito Cepeda

2011-07-01T17:32:00.001-04:00

An excerpt from Raices Cultural Center.ORGIt is with sadness that we announce the passing of our brother Tito Cepeda, gifted bombero, rumbero and overall drummer! Tito was born and bred in East Harlem, better known as “El Barrio.” He was a founding member of the “Pleneros de la 21” and played with the cream of the crop, everyone from Afro Cuba de Matanzas to Puente. From all of us here at the

New things...

2011-07-01T17:28:00.002-04:00

So it's been a while. This site along with Street Level Productions have always been a labor of love and without compensation of any sort. Such is the way that one can really do anything worthwhile. Life has changed for me (Ralph) and I have been through much changes. A family, a daughter, a new job, and a new perspective on life. Some things don't change though, and even though I haven't posted

At your service...

2011-07-01T17:25:00.001-04:00

Check out:Bembesito.comBembesito is a olo Obatala priest in the lukumi tradition and also a Papa bokor Houngan in the Haitian/Dominican tradition. Bembesito is a sworn member of Ayan/Aña the orisha of the sacred drum used in the lukumi tradition. Our drummers are of the best quality and are also professional musicians internationally. We always Arrive at ceremonies with courtesy and respect

NPR talks with Eddie Bobe

2011-02-13T00:11:00.003-05:00

Check out this excerpt from an NPR interview featuring Eddie Bobe talking about his then newly released album "Central Park Rumba".Check out this link here.On a side note, I believe this was one of the better rumba albums to come out in recent periods, featuring many of the most notable players in NYC. You can check out my two cents on the topic by clicking here.

Eugenio "Totico" Arango - Ibae..

2011-01-21T14:17:00.004-05:00

It is with sadness that I pass along the information that the great Totico Arango has passed away. I don't know the exact details concerning his passing, but same has been posted by top rumberos in NYC.Totico no doubt influenced a whole generation of rumberos with his distinct singing and charisma. His classic album (Patato Y Totico) proved to be a venerable Rumba 101 for up and coming would be

Abe and Pedrito Duo

2010-12-03T18:50:00.002-05:00

New York Rumberos

2010-10-05T17:45:00.001-04:00

(Video Credit: Cecilia Salvatierra)

Eddie Bobe - Vete Tu

2010-09-27T21:11:00.003-04:00

Here is another gem from Eddie Bobe's up an coming project.Track name: Vete TuMusicians:Giovanni Hidalgo: BongosEddie Bobe: Tres, Coro & percussionJuan Papo Garay: Lead Vocals & composer of Vete TuChris Theberge: CongasReut Regev: TromboneAbe Rodriguez: CoroArtist: Descendientes del RitmoTitle: Back to the Root Label: Descendent MusicExecutive producer : Chris ThebergeProduced by

Eddie Bobe - Mama No Quiere

2010-09-27T00:54:00.004-04:00

I just received another sneak peek from Eddie Bobe.Here are the details:Track Name -"Mama No Quiere"Giovanni Hidalgo CongasEddie Bobe Tres Vocal percussionOrlando Puntilla Rios Bata IyaEddie Bobe ItoteleChris Theberge OkonkoloReut Regev TromboneAbbe Rodriguez VocalsArtist: Descendientes del RitmoTitle: Back to the RootLabel: Descendent MusicExecutive producer Chris ThebergeProduced by:

Grupo de cajon "Palo a carretilla"...

2010-08-29T08:51:00.001-04:00

Rumba for Manuel

2010-08-27T09:32:00.010-04:00

(Gene Golden, David Yemaya, Felix Sanabria, photo credit: Lisa Maya Knauer)From Lisa Maya Knauer;Saturday, July 3, with cool breezes blowing off the East River, we paid our last respects to Manuel Martinez Olivera (el llanero solitario) and gave his ashes to the river. Manuel touched so many lives, and the rumba was loving, lively and spirited. Friends came who hadn't seen each other in years,

Las 7 salves de La Magdalena NYC CD Release Party Sep 10, 2010

2010-08-26T21:50:00.004-04:00

My Las 7 salves de La Magdalena / 7 Songs of Praise for The Magdalene CD release party will be September 10, 7pm, at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery (2nd Avenue and 10th St.).There is no cover charge. We'll have live music by Raquel Z. Rivera & Ojos de Sofia, feat. Bryan Vargas, Catarina Dos Santos, Desmar Guevara, Juan Gutierrez, Obanilu Ire Allende, Manuela Arciniegas...It will also feature

El Balcon - Eddie Bobe

2010-08-26T12:31:00.002-04:00

This is an unreleased unmixed, raw track from an up-n-coming Eddie Bobe project. Eddie on guitar, percussion and voice, Felix Sanabria on quinto.http://descendientesdelritmo.com

Matthew Smith Timbales Video

2010-05-13T15:01:00.001-04:00

Check out this video I found on Matthew's site, I can't embed it for some reason, but you can view it here....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MurJWpNn4g&feature=player_embedded

Herencia Rumbera

2010-04-06T00:19:00.001-04:00

(Video Credit: Eddie Bobe)

Rumba en Camaradas, with Caja Dura

2010-04-02T19:18:00.002-04:00

(Video Credit: JUNES05)(Video Credit: JUNES05)

Luchadoras, Bomberas Y Pleneras

2010-03-06T12:49:00.002-05:00

Los Pleneros de la 21 proudly present Luchadoras, Bomberas & Pleneras Las mujeres de nuestra música A special event of BOMBA& PLENA: IN THE HOUSE (LP21’s ticket subsidy program of educational performances for NYC students ) ~ Celebrating the powerful women of our culture & Women’s History Month ~ FRIDAY, MARCH 19th 2010 10:00 am & 12 noon Julia de Burgos Cultural Center (1680

New Meanings

2010-01-30T06:58:00.002-05:00

Berta Jottar was kind enough to pass along the following information:Register Now!! New Meanings: Afro-Descendant Percussion Practices—A Symposium Williams College + Mass MoCA | February 12-14, 2010Come and join us as we explore and network percussive traditions from the African Diaspora with some of most experienced artists and performers in the U.S. New Meanings: Afro-Descendant Percussion

Ibae: Manuel Martinez Olivera "El Llanero Solitario"

2010-01-30T06:51:00.004-05:00

I got a message from Lisa Maya Knauer early this morning with the following information:Manuel Martinez, better known to many as "El llanero solitario", diedon Friday, January 29. Manuel made an indelible mark on the New Yorkrumba scene after he arrived in the Mariel boatlift, teaching, inspiringand collaborating with dozens, if not more, enthusiasts. He was amainstay of the Central Park rumba,

Ibae - Israel "Izzy" Davila

2009-12-29T16:57:00.007-05:00

(Izzy Davila, Photo Credit: Izzy Davila's Myspace)It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of another great rumbero. Israel "Izzy" Davila passed away in New York a couple of days ago, and has left a major void within the rumba/santo community. Izzy was an accomplished singer and percussionist, and if you have never heard him, just look him up on this site. More info to come but

Los Pleneros de La 21 - 25 Years

2009-11-14T14:46:00.005-05:00