NEW CD BY VOLCANO PERCUSSION ARTIST-"JC" JOHNNY CONGA
Johnny Conga
JOHNNY CONGA
Breaking Skin / Rompiendo El Cuero
Originally released: 2009
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA
EditorsPick: If you missed this recording the first time it was
issued in the 90s, here’s your chance to check it out, remastered, and
with some new cuts thrown in for good measure. The core of this CD is
a swinging, danceable Latin jazz album with lots of tasty ritmos and
satisfying solos, and it still sounds fresh today. Johnny Conga grew
up in the Bronx in the 60s and 70s, playing with the likes of Phil
Diaz and the Latin Jazz Sextet, Gil Suarez and his Hi-Latins, La
Conspiración, and the Latinaires. He has worked with an array of
talents like Gloria Gaynor, Charlie Palmieri, Willie Colon, Johnny
Colon, Joe Bataan, Frankie Ruiz, The Jackson 5, Willie Bobo, Mongo
Santamaria, and El Chicano, and this impressive track record shows on
Breaking Skin. His true calling seems to be hot Latin jazz on the one
hand, and the essential Afro-Caribbean rhythms that underpin
everything from Santería to samba on the other. This CD has a lot to
offer – from in-the-pocket instrumental mambo to hard-core folkloric
conga workouts. The late great J.P. Torres, a hero of Cuban music, had
his debut recording session with Johnny, and he blows fantastic solos
on Siempre Me Va Bien and Mariel (watch out for the crazy percussion
workout at the end). Mario “Del Barrio” Marrero does a nice job on
piano, also making a groovy appearance on vibes for the mid-tempo
instrumental dance number “JC’s” Revenge. Eddie “Gua-Gua” Rivera keeps
things anchored in the bass seat, as well as furnishing Kathy’s Theme,
a dance floor-friendly number with afro underpinnings. Afro-Dixie is a
really cool left-field afro-funk number with scratchy guitar.
Highly recommended. [Pablo Yglesias]
This New CD is now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/congajohnny
Thank you for your support of the Drum and my Music!....Volcano
Percussion Artist-"JC" Johnny Conga