Abe and Pedrito Duo

Tribute to Puntilla Clip

Alfie has some footage from the Puntilla tributes that we are going to eventually put up on the blog, but I wanted to share this youtube video taken at the Schomburg Center. Unless I am mistaken it looks like Roman Diaz (I mistakenly thought it was Gene Golden) is on itotele, Pedrito is on caja, and Mauricio Herrera is on okonkolo.

Also you guys need to check out this Rumbajazz video, I can't embed it, but here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdX87re6xC0&feature=channel_page

Los Afortunados - Guaguanco

"Perdon" - Anya Ade

Here is a clip that Felix put up on youtube. I believe it took place after his presentacion of his fundamento "Anya Ade", at Julia de Burgos. If you look carefully, Pedrito Martinez is on quinto and singing, Bembesito is standing up to the right, Emilo Barreto is sitting on the left next to Ramin Quintana. It looks like Jonathan may be on tumbador, and Abi Holiday is on tres dos. Abraham Rodriguez is singing duo along with Wilfredo "El Jabao" (ibae). Nicky, Mikel Sotolongo, and Pepe Calabaza (ibae) are around the circle, and it looks like Obanilu is playing guagua. If you notice to your right there is a man and woman dancing, the "man" just happens to be the late Canute Bernard (ibae) and the woman is non other than Ileanna Santamaria (Mongo's daughter). Here it is for your viewing pleasure.

Los Afortunados - Musica Yoruba

This particular clip features the vocal talents of Emilio Barreto (akpwon). Felix is on Iya, Miguel Rios is on itotele, and Mikel Sotolongo is on okonkolo. Ernesto "El Gato" and Pedrito Martinez are in the ankori section. The great dancer Xiomara Rodriguez is seen here dancing a mean "Elegua". They then go into an Arara, where the drums stop playing and hand claps take over as is usually done when singing Arara.

* from the Felix Sanabria collection...

Los Afortunados - Yambu

Here we have a special treat. If you notice, the lead singer is non other than the great Ernesto "El Gato" Gatel, whose laid back voice work really well with this yambu. On tumbas you have Puntilla's son Miguel who is playing some interesting stuff, especially since he has bata on the side next to him. Mikel Sotolongo is on guagua, Pedrito Martinez and Emilio Barreto are on coro. Unfortunately I can't think of the name of the female corista, I apologize deeply for my ignorance.

Pedrito and El Gato were on tour with Jane Bunnett at the time and lucky for us they were able to work with Felix and his group.

*film courtesy of Felix Sanabria

Eddie Bobe - "Central Park Rumba" (CD-PIR 1365)

Two nights ago I found myself looking through my collection for the great NYC rumba recording, "Central Park Rumba". What I find amazing is that this recording is almost 10 years old, but sounds like it was recorded yesterday. I wanted to highlight this particular album as it could very well be the definitive soundtrack to our little blog here.

Whenever I am thinking about buying a record I look at one thing first, the credits. Judging by who is playing on a particular record, I can usually tell what to expect, and this is usually the deciding factor for me. Needless to say CPR did not let me down.

Here are the cast of characters:

Eddie Bobé (lead vocals, timbales, congas, claves, shekere, guagua)
Orlando "Puntilla" Rios (lead vocals, quinto, cajon, iya, claves, coro)
Pedro Martinez (lead vocals, cajon, itotele, coro)
Felix Sanabria (quinto, cajon, okonkolo, coro)
Alberto Serrano (quinto, congas, cajon, claves, coro)
Jay Rodriguez (baritone sax)
Tony Batista (bass)
Jay Collins (flute)
Jonathan Crayford (piano)

Now, what you may not know is who played what, on which particular song. For instance I always wondered who is playing that great quinto on "Columbia para los Guerreros". Well my fellow bloggees and bloggettes, I talked to Felix Sanabria today and he gave me the scoop.

"Ta Ta"- Alberto is playing quinto, Felix and Pedrito are playing tumbador and tres golpes
"Rumba Para Los Olu Bata"- Alberto on 3 drums, Felix on okonkolo, Pedrito on itotele, Puntilla on iya
"El Mas Cumbanchero"- Felix is playing quinto and Alberto is playing 3 drums
"El Parque Central"- Felix is playing quinto and Alberto is on tumbador, ? is playing tres
"Columbia Para Los Guerreros"- Alberto is playing quinto, Felix is playing tres and Puntilla is on tumbador
"NYC Quimbombo"- According to Eddie Bobe: "the cut NYC Quimbombo is just me and Puntilla I overdubbed every thing, Puntilla is on Quinto"
"Alberto's Drum Solo"- Who do you think is playing on this one?
"Bonko"- Alberto is playing bonko enchemiya, Felix is on obiapa, and ? is on kuchiyerema
"Compa Galletano"- Puntilla is on quinto, Felix and Pedrito are on tres dos and tumbador

So there you have it, the official lowdown. If you don't have a copy of this click on the picture above.