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By Lookout Staff
July 19 -- Concertgoers will be treated to the rhythmic
sounds of Africa and Cuba Thursday evening, as two singers
known for their vocal styles share the stage at the Twilight
Dance series on the pier.
One of the legendary figures in African music, Samba Mapangala
has been a dominant force in East African music since the
mid-1970s, with an astounding voice that has been described
as melting in the ears.
With his band Virunga, named for a volcanic mountain range
in Central Africa, Samba recorded the now famous Malako recordings
in Nairobi, which became one of the pioneering releases of
the newly emerging world music scene in Europe in the mid-1980s
and an instant favorite.
The sound -- an innovative mix of the best rumba and soukous
from Congo, with the earthier Kenyan style -- is lean with
complex, interlocking guitar lines; rapid-fire bass; light,
fast-paced percussion; and horn and sax overlays.
Sharing the stage will be José Conde, who has been
on the forefront of the Cuban roots music scene that emerged
in New York in early 2000. A prolific and inventive singer,
songwriter and composer, Conde's debut cd with his band Ola
Fresca, titled “Ay! Que Rico,” is garnering the
group both attention and respect.
Self produced and released in June ‘04 on his own PiPiKi
Records label, the album has been praised as "innovative,
highly danceable, pleasantly cerebral" (Ed Morales-New
York Newsday), the band as "superb" (descarga.com),
and the songs "sung by Conde with the natural grace of
the best soneros with a touch of contemporary elegance"
(Miguel Sirgado-El Nuevo Herald)
AY! QUE RICO serves up a spirited celebration in rhythm and
song which smoothly and subtly depart from traditional Cuban
music at times incorporating contemporary elements from funk,
jazz and electronic fusion.
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