Bosq Y La Candela All Stars
San Jose 51
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BOSQ Y LA CANDELA ALL-STARS
San Jose 51
At a hotel just outside of San Juan Puerto Rico in the winter of 2015, Victor Rivera Lleras (DJ Lucha Libre, Que Sabroso) put together a meeting between Bosq and the legendary Tempo Alomar (Apollo Sound, Orchestra Rytmo Africa Cubana, Conjunto Libre & more). The result was an off the cuff next day collaboration on Soul Clap Records titled “Tumbalá”. When local label head / bar owner Pablo Rodriguez (Candela Records, La factoria, Don Pablo, La Cubanita) heard the results he quickly invited Bosq back to record more extensively with some of the many local musicians he knew and had longstanding friendships with. This included many of the legends from classic Salsa Records (Horn Players & Vocalists from Roberto Roenas Apollo Sound - as well as the man himself) local Plena legends like Tito Matos and Luis Lagarto Figueroa, as well as the up and coming next generation such as Luis De La Rosa Solá of Orquesta Macabeo.
With a few weeks to prepare Bosq sketched out skeletons and progressions for the songs from his studio in Jamaica Plain, MA and then headed down to Old San Juan with the hopes of recording the entire album in just 10 days. The first few days were spent constructing a makeshift work space, and the next few with Bosq & Lleras organizing meetings and tracking down musicians. Finally on the 6th day, recording began when Tempo Alomar and his infectious positive energy arrived with a storm of Timbales, Congas, and words setting the tone for the remaining days in which Bosq camped out in the middle of Old San Juan and greeted a cast of visiting musicians that included even a surprise visit from Tomasa Rivera, the sister of the islands most beloved singer, the late Ismael Rivera.
The results of that whirlwind are now presented to you as San Jose Cincuenta y Uno - an exploration of the various intersections of Puerto Rican music with African styles, Reggae, Classic Funk, House music and much more. The concept was to really highlight the influence Puerto Rico has had on music in the outside world, as well as the influence the rest of the world has had on Puerto Rico. From the very African Plenas to the crossover Latin Funk in 70’s New York to the musical dialogue between dancehall & reggaeton and how that intersects with salsa. Nothing on this record is traditional per se but it is all very much filled with and inspired by the Puerto Rican spirit.
Hammock House: Santiago Sessions
$5.99
Fania is pleased to announce the release of HAMMOCK HOUSE: SANTIAGO SESSIONS on August 25, the newest installment in their highly-regarded “Hammock House” remix series, produced and mixed by internationally renowned LA-based producer and DJ, Jose Marquez. The iconic entertainment brand, which has evolved from a legendary NYC-based music label to an innovative and digitally-driven global music, entertainment and lifestyle company, is known worldwide for their work with influential DJs, and one of the best examples is their highly-regarded ‘Hammock House’ series.
Stemming from an idea that originated at the Manana Festival in Santiago de Cuba two years ago, Marquez fuses his love for dynamic Afro-Cuban and Caribbean flavors on SANTIAGO SESSIONS with classic Fania tracks from icons such as Hector Lavoe, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. Standout tracks include “Aguanile,” the iconic song from Fania legends Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe which first appeared on the album El Juicio in 1972, for which Marquez enlisted noted musicians Bobby Wilmore and Lazaro Galarraga, who specialize in Afro-Cuban percussion, to perform on congas and bata drums. Another showstopper on the release is “Herencia Africana,” which was composed by Javier Vazquez and recorded by the legendary Celia Cruz and Sonora Matancera on the album Feliz Encuentro, released in 1982. In the song, Cruz talks about her African Heritage/influence, so Marquez brought in US-based musicians originally from Mali to perform and emphasize the African elements of the song, using a djembe instead of congas and a Balafon which is a traditional African version of a marimba/xylophone.
Fania launched the groundbreaking ‘Hammock House’ series in 2011 with the release of its first acclaimed compilation from the celebrated producer/DJ Joe Claussell entitled ‘Hammock House Africa Caribe.’ With each thematic installment, Fania has teamed up with innovative DJ/producers such as Louie Vega, Toy Selectah and The Whiskey Barons, providing them with access to Fania's treasure vaults and the original multitrack master tapes from recordings by classic artists to create fresh takes on Fania’s musical legacy to introduce to new generations of fans.
Music Credits:
1. Celia Cruz - Un Bembe Pa Yemaya (Jose Marquez Remix)
Congas: Bobby Wilmore, Lazaro Galarraga
Bata Drums: Bobby Wilmore, Lazaro Galarraga
2. Ray Barretto - Indestructible (Jose Marquez Remix)
Piano: Claudio Passavanti
Bass: Claudio Passavanti
Congas: Ismel Wignall
Saxophone: Elias Perez
$4.99
Hammock House Myrtle & Wyckoff
$4.99
$9.99
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