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Fidel Morales & Proyecto Nega: Salsa Son Timba
BySalsa Son Timba is exactly what the title describes: a blend of the three genres associated with Afro-Cuban music. With an insider's knowledge and access, the experienced musicians were all handpicked by Morales, as were the singers he wanted on the individual tracks. This recording was done in Pablo Milanes' studio in Havana in a marathon five hour session, with the group performing original arrangements of Cuban gems as the Orquesta Aragon's charanga "Para Cochero," "Que Manera de Quererte" (a smash hit for Albita), and the Buena Vista Social Club classic, "El Chan Chan Son," in which an urban/rap vocal is effectively utilized for a modern approach.
Aside from playing drums, producing and arranging, Morales composed five of the songs, including: "Atrevete," featuring singer Tania Pantoja; "Remedio de Amor," with Juan Carlos Hechavarria; and "Mamina," the album's standout number, with an arrangement reminiscent of the traditional Cuban dance orchestras, and showcasing vocalist Teresa "Tete" Caturla, a contemporary of Omara Portuondo and a Havana legend in her own right. Morales' closing title track is a prime Cuban descarga, in which all of the lead singers join with the musicians in getting some of the action.
The authenticity of production shines throughout the record, and leaves no doubt as to how this music should be played. The musicians and singers simply do what they do best, and the final outcome is superb.
Track Listing
Intro (Salsa Son Timba); Que Manera de Quererte, Que Manera; Yo Sere para Ti; El Chan Chan Son; Pare Cochero; Atrevete; Remedio de Amor; Mamina; Salsa Son Timba.
Personnel
Fidel Morales
drumsFidel Morales: drums, timbales, arranger, producer; Roberto Riveron: bass; Manolito Simonet: tres; Adel Gonzales: congas; Yaroldi Abreu: percussion; Alexander Abreu: trumpet; German Velazco: tenor and soprano saxophone; Amaury Perez: trombone; Yusef Diaz: synthesizer; Angel Bonne: vocal (2); Tirso Duarte: vocal (3); Pedrito Calvo: vocal (4); Sixto "El Indio" Llorente: vocal (5); Tania Pantoja: vocal (6); Juan Carlos Hechavarria: vocal (7); Teresa "Tete" Caturla: vocal (8, 9); Alexander Diaz: background vocals; Barbara Zamora: background vocals; Enrique Perez Prieto: background vocals.
Album information
Title: Salsa Son Timba | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Universal Music Latino
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