Chuy Reyes "Mambo At The Mocambo" 10" LP - 1950-'51

"Mambo At The Mocambo"
Chuy Reyes

10 inch LP on Capitol Records. 1950-'51
((Here))

Chuy Reyes was a pianist who led a "Latin American society band" which played mainly in Hollywood, L.A. at the legendary 'Mocambo' Club, but also played gigs in *N.Y.C. (*Xavier Cugat's territory) as well as traveling outside the U.S.

For me, this was his best LP.
While a few tunes maintain his "Society band" sound, several are great Cuban classics that swing.
("Almendra" comp: Abelardo Valdés, "A Baracoa Me Voy" comp: 'Antonio Machín', "Dile A Catalina" comp: 'Arsenio Rodriguez', "Blen Blen Blen" comp: 'Chano Pozo', "Negra Leono" comp: 'Antonio Fernandez'.

Swinging arrangements, great piano solos, great singer. The flautist has that "Socarras" sound.
Great cover artwork showing the "darker skinned" musicians playing at the Mocambo Club for the "light skinned" society types.

1. Boteando ***** (a few skips)
2. Almendra *****
3. A Baracoa Me Voy *****
4. Dile A Catalina *****
5. La Ultima Noche (a few skips)
6. Blen Blen Blen *****
7. Negra Leono ****
8. Hokey Joe ***(English vocal)

4. Dile A Catalina

6. Blen Blen Blen

Ripped from original vinyl.
I purposely left track #8."Hokey Joe" uncleaned so you can hear what the others sounded like before I cleaned them with Goldwave V.5

'Ñico "Ñiquito" Cadenon' personaje Cubano - Cuba 1950's /N.Y.C.

Ñico "Ñiquito" Cadenon
at the Central Park rumba, N.Y.C.
Two photos I took.

The person singing in the middle of the photo is Ñico Cadenon.
The first time I saw Ñico was at the Central Park rumba sometime in the 1980's, I was told he came to N.Y.C. via the Mariel boat exodus in 1980, though it's possible he may have come before then. It was several years later that someone said to me: Hey, do you know who "that guy" is? They then told me he is the "Ñiquito" that Migulito Cuni sings about with Conjunto Chappottin's band on the song titled: "Ñiquito Cadenon".

"Ñiquito" was from el barrio De 'Pueblo Nuevo', an excellent dancer and rumbero, who in the 1950's would organize and promote great popular dance events in and around Havana. "Ñiquito" was always incredibly humble, as well as an impeccably clean and very cool dresser, reserved, not an "in your face" person at all.
He rarely danced.... he seemed to always hang with his Woman, socializing with friends or just on the edge of the crowd surrounding the drummers.... but, when the ritmo and singing was "just right" and "in the zone"...... he would push the crowd open sing a little and dance killer rumba and Abakúa for about a minute or two.


He was in his early 70's when I last saw him, he died about two years ago.

I have a video from the rumba in Central Park, there is a short view of him dancing a few steps...see him dance here.

"Ñiquito" Cadenon"
Conj. Chappottin canta: Miguelito Cuní

Early Cuban Danzón & Contradanza

This I received from the trombone player, 'Rick Elmore' in 1976 in New Orleans when I lived there. They are from 78' rpm records. I have no covers/info other than on track two, they play a short section from the American tune "For Me And My Gal" written by 'George W. Meyer' which was first published 1917.

(((Danzón 1900's 78's:Here)))

"Early Cuban Danzón Orchestras 1916-1920"

1. Ay, Que Victrola! - Orq De Tomas Ponce
2. Yuya Y Yeyita - Orq De Tomas Ponce
3. Nangandu - Orq Felix Gonzalez
4. El Saguero - Orq Felix Gonzalez
5. Mamita Amarre Su Perro - Orq Felipe Valdes
6. Pan Y Cemento - Orq Casas
7. Buchin El Carpintero - Orq Felipe Valdes
8. Mi Testamento - Orq Felix Gonzales
9. La Recholata - Orq Valenzuela
10. Matanceros Se Acabo El Agua - Orq Felipe Valdes
11. El Perro Huevero - Orq Felipe Valdes
12. A La Mar Fui Por Naranjas - Orq Felipe Valdes
13. Gasolina Pa Mi Maquina - Orq Francesca Reveron
14. De Miami A La Habana - Orq Francesca Reveron
15. El Kaiser Corcovea - Orq Francesca Reveron
16. El Triunfo De Corralito - Orq Tata Pereira
17. Se Acabo La Rumba - Orq Felipe Valdes
18. Flauta Encantada - Orq Casas
19. Me Voy Pa Santiago - Orq Casas
20. Pensando En Ti - Orq Casas
(((Cuban Danzón Orchestras 1916-1920:Here)))

"Cuban Danzóneras - 1932-1946"
(((Danzóneras - 1932-1946: Here)))

Orquesta America 10' inch Panart - Cuba

Orquesta America - Cha-cha-chá.

Cuban 10 inch Panart LP.

Ripped @320 from vinyl.
(((Here)))

Orquesta Ideal early 1960s LP - Cuba

The original "Orquesta Ideal" 1938.

"Orquesta Ideal" 
Vinyl LP early 1960's

Joseíto Valdés: flute and director.

With great compositions and arrangements
by Coralia Lopéz (Cachao's sister),
and Orestes Lopéz (Cachao's brother)
Ripped from original vinyl @ 320

1. El Bajo Come Chivo

2. A Soltar El Gallo

12. Vamos A Casarnos

Photos: New York City

Luis Conte, Paquito D' Rivera & myself,

backstage @ Cachao gig.N.Y.C. 2007

Walfredo De Los Reyes Jr. & Luis Conte
@ the Cenral Park Rumba 2006.

Luis Conte and myself @ 'Professional Percussion Shop.
N.Y.C. 2007

Lazaro Gallaraga, Luis Conte & Danilo Lozano
@ Cachao gig N.Y.C. 2007.

Barry Cox, Max & myself on the "A" train,
on the way to a rumba in the bronx.
N.Y.C. 2004

Barry Cox's rumba group "Union Guarachera"
@ street festival, N.Y.C.

John Amira & myself @ gig, summer 2008

Myself & Pupy, a great Cuban rumbero.
@ the Central Park rumba, N.Y.C. August 2008

Video: Cuba - 1962 -Two rare 16 mm films.

Two films converted to video from the original 16 mm film they were on.
Both from Cuba, produced in 1962 by 'El Instituto Cubano Del Arte E Industria Cinematograficos'. Both filmed in beautiful black and white.

The first is titled "Festival De La Musica Popular", which starts out showing musicians and dancers preparing for a show.
Contradaza, Son, Rumba with Celeste Mendoza dancing and Comparsa from Santiago.
The sound track is not quite "live", but that doen't really matter.
17:00 min.

.............................................................................................

The second film is about 'Regla', a city on the southeastern shore of La Habana Bay, an industrial suburb of Havana, with which it is linked by ferry boat, shown in the fim.
During the colonization of Cuba, the Spaniards founded a city on the bay of Havana, Cuba and named it "Regla," after he Spanish port. 'La Virgen de Regla' then became the patron saint of the city of Regla. Regla is also an important centre for the practice of 'Regla De Ocha' (Santería), a religious tradition of west African origin.
This has several scenes showing 'Jesús Peréz' together with 'Trinidad Torregrosa' playing Batá
along with an unknown third drummer.
This is 1962..... and reflects the socio-political climate of Cuba.
The cinematography in black and white is beautiful.
(several shots of people wearing "the eyeglasses")
29:00 min.

Both films from the archival collection of John Amira.

"Festival De La Musica Popular" 
1962 Cuba

"Regla" 
1962 Cuba

Video: Cuba - Grupo Manguare rumbeando - Cuba

Pancho Amat and his 'Grupo Manguare' play two Sones, after they finish... Pancho, his singers as well as his percussionists segway into this rumba.

If you look at the video, you can see Pancho Amat (no hair on top) standing to the left wearing an orange shirt and playing Clave. (There are two Clave players , Pancho is one of them)
The two singers are from 'Pancho Amat's' band.

Rumba :
Guaguancó y Columbia

In memoriam: Diego "Mofeta" Iborra - Cuba-N.Y.C.-Miami

Diego "Mofeta" Iborra
Drummer and percussionist

b; Feb. 4, 1919, in Camajuaní, Cuba.
d; July 2008 Miami, Florida
R.I.P.
Iba ayé ba yé t'orún

Diego "Mofeta" Iborra: 
The first U.S. bebop tumbador - percussionist 
interview here.

Diego "Mofeta" Iborra drums 1941, Cuba
with Orquesta Riverside.

"Mofeta" was playing 'Cubop' long
before Chano Pozo arrived in N.Y.C.

"Mofeta" with Charlie Parker and Max Roach, N.Y.C.

"Mofeta" tumbadora, Guillermo Alvarez bongoes,
with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, 1946

"Mofeta" with Buddy Rich, 1945

"Mofeta" with Gene Krupa, 1947

René Alvarez "4 missing songs" from the original sessions, not included on the CD.

In the late 1990's the 'Tumbao' label from Spain, well known for reissuing classic Cuban music that otherwise would never be heard, released this CD by the late René Alvarez Y Su Conjunto said to be recorded in 1987.The CD has 18 songs, however.... there are "4 songs missing" from the original sessions, not included on the CD.

These are the "missing" songs:
1. Consuelate Como Yo*
2. Pueblo Nuevo Se Paso*
3.Esta Noche*
4. Me Boto La Negrita*

"Consuelate Como Yo"

"Pueblo Nuevo Se Paso"
"Esta Noche"

"Me Boto La Negrita"


"Canallon"
'Opus 13' - 1979
Vocal: René Alvarez
Tumbadoras: 'Miguel "Anga" Diaz'

HAVANA IN THE 1950's - article by Leonardo Acosta

HAVANA IN THE 1950's - article writen by by Leonardo Acosta (here)

Leo Castañeda 2 LP's 1959, 1963 Cuba

"Leo y su Ritmo A Caballo"
1963
Vinyl LP/LD Discuba label.

1. Con mi caballo
2. Como un carnaval
3. preparen candela
4. La sitiera
5. Gloria a beny Moré
6. Leo esta loco
7. Leo llego
8. Cariño falso
9. Me llaman loco
10. Cintra tu traicion

5. Gloria a Beny Moré
Beny Moré died Feb. 19, 1963
(you can hear the galloping "A Caballo" rhythm)

8. Cariño falso
 (you can hear the galloping "A Caballo" rhythm)

 9. Me Llaman loco
(Ritmo "A Caballo")

Leo Castañeda, Cuban singer who led a swinging big band, his intonation and vocal style influenced by Beny Moré. 
He was also an amazing bolerista (bolero singer).

Far from just an "imitator" o sea "Beny clone", Leo Castañeda had his own distinct and VERY unique voice!

Recorded in 1963, his "Leo y su Ritmo A Caballo" LP on Discuba, with several of the tunes on the LP using his "A Caballo" rhythm. The cover photo has to be the wildest Cuban cover I've seen, with Leo in Cuba standing outside en "el campo", holding a attache case in one hand, while holding the reins of the Caballo, with a Güiro in the other hand and pair of congas are slung over the horse.
The bass drum in the photo has a very odd conical shape.

Juanito Marquez developed his ritmo "Pa'ca", Enrique Bonne developed his ritmo "Upa Upa", Perez Prado had his "Dengue", Aragon had their "Cha-Onda"... Leo Castañeda had his "Ritmo A Caballo".
The "A Caballo" sound was done by a musician playing the old chinese temple blocks playing a rhythm that sounds like a horse galloping, really unique to say the least, you can even hear it in the boleros.
Leo's "Ritmo A Caballo" LP is long out of print, never reissued. Obscure and rare.I have meticulously "cleaned" and trimmed" each track " using Goldwave V.5, the 10 tracks now have an excellent sound .

"Mucho Corazon"
1959

Leo Castañeda's LP "Mucho Corazon" very different than the other LP (no "Ritmo A Caballo" theme) it was recorded in Cuba in 1959 and reissued on CD, however they recorded it directly from the vinyl LP with audible pops and clicks and at a low audio level.
I have meticulously "cleaned" and trimmed" each track and brought the audio up using Goldwave V.5 and now the 12 tracks sound excellent. Both his singing and the band swing.
The more I listen to these two recordings.... the more I'm amazed at what a great voice Leo Castañeda has!

10. La Majana

2. Son De La Loma

**As a result of this post, I recently had a great conversation with Leo Castañeda's daughter, 'Elsie' who has told me that Leo also spent time in Mexico and Venezuela, now in his 80's he is doing very well and lives in Miami Florida and that as well as singing... Leo plays Congas, guitar and drums!

Leo Castañeda in a 2008 photo in Miami, Florida.

Graciously sent to me by his daughter Elsie.

Leo... you are one cool musician!

Mucho corazon de verdad!!!

Orq. America Vol-3 Panart 10" LP - Cuba

Ninon Mondejar's Orq. America
Vol-3 on the original Panart 10' inch LP.
Nice 1950's Panart cover showing the couples steps.
These have all been "remastered"and "reissued" on several CD's.

Conjunto Supremo - 2 LP's Cuba

'Conjunto Supremo', from Santiago de Cuba.
Two LP's recorded on the Siboney label.

The first LP: 'Conjunto Supremo' swings.... they don't stop until the end of the record.
They play some fast ass tempos .... molto prestissimo, 'ñño!
Track #6, #7, #9 have short but sweet tres solos.
Excellent electric guitar that isn't "in your face", just perfect.
(ripped rom vinyl @ 320 / Mp3's "cleaned" and "trimmed" with Goldwave V.5 and now sound great)

4.Ya Voló

The second LP: "Conjunto Supremo Nuevamente!" is a dissapointment to me, as the band lacks the same "steam" as they had on the previous LP.

Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba to play Olyimpic games in Beijing.

Conjunto Folclórico Nacional de Cuba actuará en Juegos Olímpicos de Beijing, China.

Conjunto Artemiseño - Artemisa, Cuba

Conjunto Artemiseño"
Vinyl LP

4. Artemisa

Conjunto Artemiseño, early 1980's (pre timba) Conjunto. From Artemisa, a city in western Cuba that's along the main highway and main railroad line between Havana and Pinar Del Rio. Not something that I would go out of my way to buy, however the band has a nice swing and is obscure, exactly what I like posting here on Fidel's Eyeglasses.

The piano player is playing a vintage 1970's "Univox" !
vinyl LP

Photo: Chano Pozo & Art Blakey 1948 N.Y.C.

Chano Pozo & Art Blakey
at 'The Royal Roost' N.Y.C. 1948

Photos: Francisco 'Chino' Pozo

Francisco 'Chino' Pozo

Born: October 4, 1915, Habana, Cuba
Murio: April 28, 1980, New York City, U.S.
Francisco 'Chino' Pozo 1957

Francisco 'Chino' Pozo 1941

Francisco 'Chino' Pozo: bongoes,
Chonguito: tumbadora
with Tito Rodriguez.

'Chino' Pozo with José Curbelo live at the 'China Doll' 1947.

Tito Rodriguez: vocal, Curbelo's father on bass.
Tito Puente: timbales, "Chino" Pozo playing bongoes.
Listen to what he does during the coro.

He definitely was "in the zone"!
These were bongoes that did not use tuning hardware, they were tuned by using a can of 'Sterno' that every conguero y bongocero brought to every gig.

'Bambanquere'
Franciso 'Chino' Pozo: bongoes
Tito Puente: timbal
(listen to what he does during the coro)

'Flamingo'
Francisco 'Chino' Pozo: bongoes,  
Tito Puente: timbal
his boleros were immaculate.

'Sonaremos El Tambo'
Pupi Campo Orq.
Franciso 'Chino' Pozo: bongoes,  
Tito Puente: timbal

In memoriam - jazz saxophonist Johnny Griffin dies in France at 80

R.I.P.

'Johnny Griffin'
Born April 24, 1928 - Died July 25, 2008
"The Little Giant"

Ben Ratliff's N.Y. Times article here.

'Milton Banana': father of modern Bossa Nova drumming - Brasil

The late 'Milton Banana': "father of modern Brasilian Bossa Nova drumming".

These are my "essencial" LP's by Milton Banana, "O Mestré"

('Milton Banana' was the drummer on all of João Gilberto's early LP's)

1963 O Ritmo e o Som da Bossa Nova *****

1965 - Ve *****
1965 Milton Banana Trio *****


1966 Balancando com Milton Banana Trio *****
1967 O Som do Milton Banana Trio
1968 Todo Dia e Dia *****
1970 Ao Meu Amigo Tom, Samba e Isso Vol. 4
1970 Milton Banana Trio *****
1971 Milton Banana
1971 Milton Banana Trio
1972 Milton Banana *****
1975 - Milton Banana
1977 Samba é Isso
1978 Tipo Exportacao (Samba e Isso) Vol. 2
1979 Ao Meu Amigo Chico Samba e Isso Vol. 3
1981- Ao meu amigo Vinícius