Super Sonido

Day 9: Colombian Micro-Genres

Published February 9, 2010 Cumbia 1 Comment

Hey Franko, thanks for letting me do this! I have a few different 45’s I’ll try to post up this month, starting with this Cumbia microgenre from Colombia – Pa’ Que Veas by Cristobal Perez Y Su Conjunto. It’s described as an “Apretaito” from the Spanish “Apretar” meaning to press or push… and that’s the vibe you get. Not super hyphy, but a relentless beat that keeps things moving for the dance floor. What’s more, since this is a b side and not on a yellow label that begins with “F”, you might be able to find it for really cheap.

-Sport Casual

You can check out Sport Casual’s website Futurefunk.net - There are some amazing Latin mixes on that site, especially the El Bigote sleepy beats and breaks one. The Moustache Mix!

Thanks Sacha (aka Sport Casual) for this wonderful track. I know it’s hard finding out information about some seriously obscure Latin musicians, next to impossible sometimes. But you really hit a nerve with me when you used the term “micro-genre”, especially when explaining a cumbia conjunto from Colombia. There are hundreds of genres from the Atlantic coast, to Andean regions, to the Pacific, to even the insular regions of Colombia. I tossed in a few tracks of one of my favorite musicians Anibal Velasquez to show how different two 45’s can make. There is no other musician I can think of who was more prolific and has traversed more Colombian “micro-genres” than Anibal Velasquez himself. I won’t say anymore than that. A certain somebody from a certain record label is putting out a collection of his music, which I actually contributed to. These two songs made the cutting room floor and I wanted to save a post on Anibal long after that record is released. Enjoy!

-Sonido Franko

1. Cristobal Perez Y Su Conjunto: Pa’ Que Veas

2. Anibal Velasquez: Soy Guajiro

3. Anibal Velasquez Y Su Conjunto: La Pollera Apreta

Day 8: Los Diferentes

Published February 8, 2010 Descarga , Latin Funk/Soul Leave a Comment

Wanted to throw up a few 45’s with musicians who are more or less playing outside their element. With Ricardo Ray choppin’ it up on both the piano and Hammond and Machito droppin’ some big band soul. If I find some time, I will definitely write a post on Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz in the future, the 1964 Comején being one of my favorites. In the 40’s it was Machito and his Afro-Cuban Orchestra who borrowed the textures of big swing Jazz bands and created his own version of the mambo, rumba, and cha-cha. And once again he does the same with his soul/funk rendition of Baby I Love You. Still reeling in from Saturday night, it’s what happens when you drink cheap whiskey at 5 am. I have a guest post for tomorrow, so keep posted. Enjoy!

1. Ricardo Ray/Bobby Cruz: Ricardo Ray In Orbit

2. Machito And His Orchestra: Baby I Love You

Day 7: Memo Rios

Published February 7, 2010 Electro Latino , Queso 4 Comments

Nacho Cheese: a form of processed cheese mixed with peppers and other spices which is often used in place of REAL shredded cheese in institutional or large-scale production settings, such as schools, movie theaters, sports venues, whore houses in Tijuana, night clubs in the Zona Rosa, or wherever using freshly grated beats & breaks may be logistically prohibitive. Such processed cheese is referred to in the United States as “nacho cheese”, or just “queso“. Originally formulated as a cheaper and more convenient source of cheese to top nachos. Unlike many different types of cheeses, “nacho cheese” bears no geographical indication or other regulated guarantee of ingredients, process, or quality, beyond the general legal definition for cheese products as established by Supersonido.net

1. Memo Rios: Muy Delgada ( Ice Ice Baby )

2. Memo Rios: En La Discoteca

Day 6: Pepito Quechua

Published February 6, 2010 Cumbia 2 Comments

Well, it’s been a long time coming. Joe’s been trying to get me to contribute to Super Sonido for a while and I finally got it together to drop a little some’n some’n.

My pick is a track by a little known singer named Pepito Quechua. On this track he is backed up by the amazing Grupo Celeste some of whom went on to back up the immortal Chacalon in his band ”Chacalon y La Nueva Crema“, an amazing Chicha band that is widely considered the “official” sound of Chicha.

Anyways, the reason I love this tune is not only for it’s great guitar solo and the soulful yearning in Pepito’s voice but because it’s the only Guaracha I have heard with lyrics in Quechua. One of the few things I was taught by my dad & uncles from Peru was how to count in Quechua, and when I first heard Pepito’s count down to kick off the jam ”huk…iskay…quimsa!…”, which is “1,2,3″ in Quechua, I thought “damn Pepito’s got it goin on!!!” In Peru there is a lot of pride in being Cholo/Indio, but there’s also a lot of discrimination. I see this song as one of the few genuine mestizo tunes, taking the coastal Guaracha with the heavy guitar riffs and the great rolling bass & tropical percussion and mixing it with the Spanish and the native tongue and rhythms, all executed with style and pride. The little else I can translate is something about “urpicha = my dove” and “yananyawi = dark eyes” and the chorus in the end of the song has the word “misky” which translates to “tight wad, or penny pincher” which would make sense considering the title of the song is “Por Que No Me Das?” (Why do you not give?)

Anyways, I thought I’d also post the rebajada version, considering that it is the way I prefer to play a lot of my 45’s. This subject will take a bit longer to get into, and I plan on droppin a rebajada mix here very soon, but for the peeps that don’t know, rebajadas are slowed down tracks that change the song entirely and give it a different more laid back rhythm and makes the vocals sound like they’re sippin on syrup, if you know what I mean. Anyways, there’s a lot of theories as to who, how, and why did rebajadas start, but I chalk it up to the fact that super fast Descargas & Guarachas from Peru & Colombia actually sound a hell of a lot more like Cumbia when the 45 is played at 33 RPM. Theories about record players with dying batteries are good stories, but I think people just dig the doped out style. Forgive the skip at the end, Enjoy!

-DJ LENGUA

P.S. I’m not sure if this is the same man 40 years later, but something tells me it is. Pepito rockin the Huayno comedy, “Teta Chueca!!” pretty damn funny, oh man…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLmgBSUYqoc&feature=related

Thanks DJ Lengua for the amazing post and Quechua lessons. You can catch visual artist, musician, and my number one homeboy Dj Lengua spinning records @ Mas Exitos a biweekly event every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays @ the Verdugo in Los Angeles. And when he’s not being artistic you can find him driving his truck around L.A. with his wife Gina and their dog Pepino. Keep posted for future Lengua mixes and other joint posts on Super Sonido. Just to elaborate, rebejada is a popular dj style in Mexico. I wanted to point out that some dj’s take super fast gaitas and slow them down to a more danceable beat. Lengua and I will collaborate on a post sometime in the future.

-Sonido Franko

1. Pepito Quechua: Por Que No Me Das

2. Pepito Quechua: Por Que No Me Das (Estilo Rebejada)

Day 5: Bush Y Su Combo Los Magnificos

Published February 5, 2010 Descarga , Salsa Leave a Comment

First things first: hats off to Sonido Franko for undertaking the monumental task of posting up a quality 45 every day for one month! Super Sonido continues to be the most interesting and fun Latin music/record blog on the internet, and it’s been great to visit every week!

Today, I wanted to share this red hot Bush y su Combo Los Magnificos 45 with you all. Both sides are amazingly beautiful slabs of Latin music from Panama. While not the most explosive descarga out there by any means, “Nananina” holds its own with pure style and swing. It’s always been one of my favorite songs off of the now-classic Panama! compilations on Soundway Records, but I never knew the flipside of this obscure, privately-pressed 45 was just as hot!

“Los Magnificos” is a deep guaguanco complete with rolling piano, mighty horns, and able vocals from Chombo Castro (unknown to me until now). Either side should have no problem setting the dancefloor ablaze…..

Bush y su Combo Los Magnificos: “Nananina” y “Los Magnificos”
From the Sol Records 7″ (Panama, 197?)

-Adam Dunbar

I want to thank Adam for the amazing post and for being an all around cool ass dude. Adam has been a big supporter of the site since day one and continues to surprise me in his own right. Totally appreciated. What a great track Nananina is though. Adam I think you’re being modest, the song is a real cooker. And I’m really glad you threw in Los Magnificos, on account of me not having too much salsa/70’s guaguanco.

Please go check out Mr. Dunbar’s Latin audio-blog Musica Del Alma * Word em’ ups!!!

-Sonido Franko

1. Bush y Su Combo Los Magnificos: Nananina

2. Bush y Su Combo Los Magnificos: Los Magnificos

Day 4: The Joe Cuba Sextet

Published February 4, 2010 Latin Funk/Soul Leave a Comment

Leave it up to Joe Cuba to put out one of the most blatantly x-rated songs on the super sonido site. There is no other Latin musician I can think of that exhibits an excessive sexual drive musically and lyrically than ol’ Joe. Even his early 60’s classic Bang Bang or El Pito (the whistle) have some minor form of sexual innuendo. Put you hand on the whistle? Blow? Please continue propagating the myth that all Latin American men are over-sexed, because whatever you’re doing, it sounds awesome. Amazing 2-sided French pressing. Put it in…….asi se goza!!!

1. The Joe Cuba Sextet: Pud-Da-Din

2. The Joe Cuba Sextet: Ooh Ah!

Day 3: El Costa Azul de Rigo Tovar

Published February 3, 2010 Cumbia , Garage/Rock Leave a Comment

Two great instrumentals from Rigo Tovar’s backing band El Costa Azul (the blue coast), the originators of the cumbia/tropical movement in Mexico. The first pioneers to fuse traditional Mexican, baladas, and cumbia with synthesizers, guitars, and rock melodies. Not as hard-hitting as their Colombian counterparts, but Rigo Tovar’s sound continues to influence countless artists in Mexico to this day. These two tracks sound more like Cumbia Peruana.

El Costa Azul would go through many incarnations throughout the 70’s, but the main focus of the band would always be Rigo, who has been called the Elvis Presley of Mexico. Here is the best way to explain Rigo Tovar: he was born in Matamoros Mexico, he was born with sunglasses on his face, and would sell more tickets than the Pope himself (he actually broke an attendance record by the Pope). Enjoy!!! (Veracruz track skips sorry)

1. El Costa Azul De Rigo Tovar: Palmeras

2. Costa Azul: Verano En Veracruz

Day 2: Luis Gómez y su Conjunto

Published February 2, 2010 Boogaloo , Cumbia , Descarga Leave a Comment

Now I don’t know much about this person, and I’m sure he didn’t make many records, because this guy is really under the radar. Plus, I didn’t feel like searching when I googled his name. There must be over a million men in Latin American with the name Luis Gómez. At any rate, two great songs from one of my favorite Colombian labels: Tropical. It seems odd but these two songs mash-up descarga, boogaloo and the pachanga genre into one. And both have the same name? But what’s even more confusing is that musically they are playing in a more or less rag-tag cumbia conjunto style. South Americans trying to capture the New York sound….amazing!!! Listen carefully to the second track, the female singer is talking shit about Puerto Rican men. Why I find that funny, I have no idea.

1. Luis Gómez y su Conjunto: Descarga En Acordeon

2. Luis Gómez y su Conjunto: Descarga En Acordeon

Day 1: Yeh-Yeh!

Published February 1, 2010 Boogaloo , Latin Jazz Leave a Comment

Now all you die-hard collectors out there are either probably sticking your thumbs down or sticking your middle finger at me right this second. Yeah, these aren’t the rarest one’s out there. Almost like Latin Boogaloo/Soul Jazz 101. In fact, I’m really not going to explain who Mongo Santamaria or Xavier Cugat are. But before you decide which appendage you’re gonna use, I think we can all agree that all these songs really capture the amalgam of genres that were slowly crossing over in early 60’s New York. From soul jazz, pop/rock, go-go, to almost a pre-cursor sound of the boogaloo. But most importantly, the songs sound great. On a side note, I was really surprised with Xavier’s “version of a version”, usually the guy is a bit more tame than that. Enjoy!!!

1. Mongo Santamaria Orch: Yeh-Yeh!

2. Mongo Santa Maria Orch: Watermelon Man

3. Xavier Cugat: Watermelon Man

28 days of 45

Published February 1, 2010 Events 1 Comment

So I’ve been thinking of changing things up for the month of February. Everyday of this month I’m going to post up at least one 45. I’m going to dip into my private reserve of Latin beats, so please keep your ears and eyes open for the next 28 days. Also, I was hoping that the friends and viewers of Super Sonido could participate. Even if you don’t have any Latin breaks, your suggestions or requests would be appreciated. Just send a photo/scan, mp3, and anything you’d wish to sonidofranko@gmail.com WORD!!!

p.s. i just double checked that it wasn’t a leap year.

Los Pasteles Verdes

Published January 18, 2010 Boleros y Baladas , Garage/Rock 2 Comments

I read somewhere that Víctor Hugo Acuña heard a song from The Doors and in turn created the ballad rock group Los Pasteles Verdes (The Green Pastels) in the early 70’s. Founded by both guitarist Victor and his keyboardist brother Cesar Acuña from the industrial fishing port of Chimbote, Peru. Even their web-bio indicates that they were moved by a number of American, British to South American acts. From British invasion bands like The Beatles to The Rolling Stones, Chilean ballad rock from Los Ángeles Negros to Los Iracundos, and Peruvian nationals like Los Destellos to Los Shains. But even with the plethora of influences aside, Los Pasteles Verdes have created one the most unique low-tempo sleepy psyche sound I’ve ever heard. Highly popular in Mexico (they would eventually move there), where this signature sleepy-balada sound was immensely copied as well. Enjoy!

1. Los Pasteles Verdes: Esclavo Y Amo

2. Los Pasteles Verdes: No Te Das Cuenta

3. Los Pasteles Verdes: Recuerdos De Una Noche

4. Los Pasteles Verdes: Baby

Los Olvidados Part 1

Published January 18, 2010 Electro Latino , Perez Prado Leave a Comment

I have a bunch of saved drafts I started, and for some reason or another, they were never published. This is one of them. Los Olividados = the forgotten ones. If I were to ever sample a Perez Prado song, I would use the song Tabu off his 1957 RCA album Latin Satin. Oh shit…..wait……oh man!!! It’s already been done by the avant-garde group Nurse With Wound on their rare 1996 500 vinyl-only release called Alice the Goon. Damn!

1. Perez Prado: Tabu

2. Nurse With Wound: (I Don’t Want to Have) Easy Listening Nightmares

Lluvia Con Nieve

Published January 17, 2010 Latin Jazz , Salsa Leave a Comment

As I write this post a storm is slowly brewing off the Northern California coast. The next 10 days will be rain with a chance of snow under 3,000 ft. So I guess I couldn’t have found a more fitting song for these weather conditions than Mon Rivera’s Lluvia Con Nieve (rain with snow).

It’s funny but you hardly hear a Latin song about “snow”, you don’t find too much of that in tropical Caribbean countries. But for Puerto Rican born trombonist Efraín Rivera Castillo (“Mon”), who spent over 25+ years bouncing back from New York to Puerto Rico, you can start to draw a line as to why he would write something as such. Ever since Puerto Rico became a commonwealth in 1952 there has been a constant flow of immigration to the US, unlike other isolated Latin American countries. Puerto Rican musicians have always had the luxury of moving between music scenes in both countries, which in effect can be attributed to the birth of genres like the boogaloo and salsa. Mon himself was popular in both countries from the 50’s to 60’s with a form of plena mixed with pachanga and Latin Jazz. And in the 70’s became part of the all-trombone brass sections, which was part of the standard salsa vocabulary popularized by Willie Colon at that time. From popularity to obscurity, from a healthy career to alcoholism/drug abuse, you wonder what the transient Mon was getting at with this song. You’re not sure if the song laments, reveres, or complains about the cold weather. But I’m sure it is a little bit of everything.

Also, I tossed in a cool version from Peruvian Lucho Macedo. One of my favorite Peruvian band leaders of his time, someone I’m sure I’ll talk about some other day. Enjoy!

1. Mon Rivera: Lluvia Con Nieve

2. Sonora Lucho Macedo: Lluvia Con Nieve

Manny Perez: El Chamaco Moderno

Published January 3, 2010 Garage/Rock 8 Comments

When you cross-over Mexican norteño/ranchera music with a pop/rock sound, you might run the risk of alienating your more accustomed audience. However, I don’t think Manny Perez y Los Cachiros had that problem. Even with their straight forward rock break-beat, Perez stays true his corridos roots and avoids the psuedo-sophistication of Mexican pop music of early 70’s Mexico. As indicated in earlier posts musica Norteño, ranchera, and corridos are just as much about the lyrics as they are about the sound. From stories of everyday people, to the working class, to tales about the anti-hero. Take for example the song “chica bancaria“ (girl who works in a bank), a ballad about falling in love with the beautiful girls that work in a bank. The song is a bit kitschy, but I sense more a ballad of the outsider looking in. Or even an admiration for something more sophisticated, the new class of working women, or possibly a comment on the nature of modernity in 70’s Mexico. Which itself is a reflection of his music. Maybe I’m grasping. Anyway, I don’t really want to delve into the effects of modern culture on traditional Mexico. I think Manny is most comfortable in his patio, sitting next to his propane tank, with his big work boots and fucked up side burns. I couldn’t find much else about this band except that they hail from Leon, in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Also, I threw in the more Banda sounding La Pulmonia (Pneumonia) to round out his melodies for good measure. ¡Gózalo!

1. Manni Perez: El Chamaco Moderno

2. Manny Perez: Mi Ritmo Pop

3. Manny Perez: Soledad

4. Manny Perez: La Pulmonia

5. Manny Perez: Chica Bancaria

6. Manny Perez: Susan

Cumbia En Marimba

Published December 26, 2009 Cumbia 5 Comments

The marimba was exported from Africa around the 16th century and has been popularized by either Western classical concert instruments, jazz/Latin jazz, or as Latin American folk instruments. For some reason or another it was Central America that really embraced it. From Southern Mexico to Nicaragua you can find traditional marimba street musicians in just about every larger city square (almost like the mariachi in Mexico). I’m not sure about South America, but from what I understand it extends down there also. However, the marimba is especially popular in Guatemala, to the point where bands like Marimba Orquesta Gallito have become a national symbol of tradition and culture. These larger marimba bands can incorporate any genre of music from traditional folkloric songs, mambos, to even a form of big-band Discos Fuentes style cumbias (which is pretty much the focus of this article). Almost like the accordion in Colombia and the guitar in Peru. I threw in a few Colombian cumbia standards for good measure. Also, Marimba Chiapas is from the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, which is just as much geographically and culturally similar to Guatemala than Mexico itself. Enjoy!

Peep the comment section, Sports Casual @ futurefunk.net put up a cool ass video of some Mexican kids jamming out to the marimba in the state of Oaxaca. Also he supplied this awesome pick of a marimba band for hire. God I miss Mexico.

1. Marimba Orquesta Gallito: A La Cumbia

2. Marimba Orquesta Gallito: Barranquillerita

3. Marimba Orquesta Gallito: Cumbia Tropical

4. Marimba Chiapas: La Pollera Amarilla

Feliz Año Nuevo 2010

Published December 26, 2009 Events 2 Comments

Im djing probably the cheapest party in San Francisco for New Years Eve. Wait……the most generous party. Come join the Latin Soul Brothers and dance your nagals off till 2010!!!

Three rooms of cumbias, classic salsa, afro-beat, funk,
& dance classics to bless you into the new year!

Deejays:

Joe Quixx Oakland Faders
Sonido Franko Unicornio Records
Wonway Posibul Distortion 2 Static/Thinkbeat
Sivan TRU Soul

Live art, silk screening and installations from:

Miguel Bounce Perez Latin Soul Brothers / TYS
Laura Victoria Salazar
Lorenzo Vasquez
Luis Marroquin U-N-I Collective
John Ramirez
Zore
Ashley K Arnold
Franklin Cartegena/F.E.O. KREW
Yoshi Trust Your Struggle Collective
Shaun Burner Trust Your Struggle Collective
Robert Trujillo Trust Your Struggle Collective

Submission Art Space
2183 Mision Street @ 18th St. S.F.

$10 before 11pm
$15 after

$7 before 11pm w/ RSVP at
www.going.com/saludNYE2010

www.sf-submission.com

Descarga Chicha

Published December 26, 2009 Cumbia , Descarga Leave a Comment

In my earlier post about Los Destellos I stopped shy of classifying them as a chicha group. From how I see it, their entire image wasn’t as rooted in the Amerindian experience and I will go as far as saying that their sound wasn’t as ”low brow” either. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to demean a class of music or a class of people. And when I say “low brow”, it can still be some of the best music around in my opinion. Take for example this compilation record, it has Peruvian chicha written all over it. Some of the more tell-tale signs are independent record labels (Virrey), cheap electric instrumentation (most likely 60’s/70’s super inexpensive Japanese knock offs), minimal garage type sounds, bands/groups that rarely appear on more than one record, and hookers with wigs on the front cover (just kidding). Also, Chicha versions of cumbias, descaragas and guarachas (rapid tempo cumbias, a bit different from the Cuban form of guaracha) are probably the most popular genres played from these third-rate musicians. Yeah, maybe not the best musicians out there, but definitely first-rate sounds. Enjoy!

1. Los Corraleros: Descarga Corralero

2. Los 5 Gatos: Que Rico Chicha

3. Los 5 Gatos: Descarga Sabrosa

Baila Pachanga con Tito Puente

Published December 12, 2009 Latin Jazz , Latin Roots Leave a Comment

Finally got a 45 copy of this joint from Tito Puente. Big shout out to El Dj Roger Mas who turned me onto this song about 6-7 years ago. Originally off the “Exciting Tito Puente Band in Hollywood” LP, the only album I believe Tito did on the GNP label. Which may also be why this album is a bit more hard-hitting than his similar work on the Tico label (“Pachanga Con Tito Puente” LP). Eddie Cano, Machito, and Joe Loco also cut records for GNP during the same period. The pachanga was a popular music/dance craze from the 50’s to early 60’s. A hard and fast down-beat originating from charanga instrumentation, and at times considered to be the predecessor to the boogaloo movement. Peep O-dubs article about this genre of Latin music at the Musica del Alma audio-blog. Also, the music and dance from this era is still popular in Colombia to this day. Even international ballroom dance competitions will have a pachanga routine/category.

1. Tito Puente: Baila Pachanga

Godfather of Latin Rap: Mellow Man Ace

Published December 9, 2009 Electro Latino 2 Comments

I don’t actually have a category for this genre of Latin music, so please forgive me if I stick it in the Electro Latino section. It’s the 808’s I suppose. Anyway, just thought I’d switch things up a bit with a few songs from the Godfather of Latin Rap, from the Cuban born Ulpiano Sergio Reyez, aka Mellow Man Ace. If you are as old as I am you’d know that there were very few Latin rappers in the late 80’s. Cypress Hill (which he was part of + related to Sen Dog) and Kid Frost are the only other artists I can think of. It was also in this era, before copyright infringement problems, that it would be common to hear samples from other 60’s/70’s Latin/Chicano groups like Santana, El Chicano, and War. These 45’s are from his debut Escape From Havana lp, which was produced by The Dust Brothers and Def Jef. Most the songs fit in the ”lovers rap” genre of hip-hop. “Mentirosa” (liar) was Mellow Man’s huge bilingual hit. Sampled from Santana’s ”Evil Ways” of course. Personally I’m loving the slow jams tune “Encuentren Amor” (to find love) using a sample from Kool & The Gang’s “Summer Madness“.

1. Mellow Man Ace: Mentirosa

2. Mellow Man Ace: Enquentren Amor

Funky Yucatán Part 2

Published December 8, 2009 Cumbia , Latin Funk/Soul , Perez Prado 1 Comment

It comes as no surprise that the region in Mexico, an area of sweltering heat, would be among the first to embrace a new form of cumbia, tropical, and funk in the late 60’s to early 70’s. I’ve actually been to the Mexican state of Campeche (where Los Socios are from) and all I remember is that I had a bloody nose the entire time I was there, due to heat exhaustion and oil refinery production most likely. But, where else do you find descendants of Mayan indians with curly hair playing funk? The Yucatán. Please see my prior post Funky Yucatán Part 1. After 60+ records and a Grammy nomination, it was Los Socios Del Ritmo (the partners of rhythm) that were much more associated with a tamer version of cumbia/tropical and not the hard hitting rhythms I am presenting to you now. I threw in a version of Pérez Prado’s Mambo No. 8++ (a potpourri mix that heats up after 2:30 mins. or so). I just wanted to point out Prado’s influence and popularity at the time, an influence that extends to Norteño, Grupo and Banda in Mexico to this day. Frijol Con Puerco (pork and beans)? Who doesn’t like those?

btw/fyi Mambo No. 8 is a larger file, so watch yourselves.

1. Los Socios Del Ritmo: Frijol Con Puerco

2. Los Socios Del Ritmo: Mambo No. 8, Que Rico Mambo, Mambo Universitario

Pipomixes: Dj Wonway Posibul

Published December 4, 2009 Events Leave a Comment

I’ve been listening to this mix from Dj Wonway Posibul all week. Awesome blend of dance floor funk, afro and latin. You can catch their weekly Makossa East every Tuesday night @ The Easy Lounge in Oakland and Makossa West every 2nd Thursday at the Eve Lounge in San Francisco. The Latin Soul Brothers consists of Bay Area Latin Dj’s: DJ Joe Quixx (Oakland Faders), Wonway Posibul (Distortion 2 Static/ Thinkbeat Radio), Sivan (TRU Soul), Sonido Franko (Discos Unicornio), and Dj Specialist. Peep the download:

Pipomixes: Makossa Classics Vol. 1 – Mixed by DJ Wonway Posibul

Getting my new space in order. I should have a bunch of posts in the next week.

Los Covers Españoles

Published November 15, 2009 Garage/Rock 2 Comments

I wanted to drop a dope track for you guys before I go on my little exodus. Just the other day I ran into this 45 and thought it would be an appropriate thing to play since I’ve been looking into cover songs recently. And lately I have been really digging 70’s Gypsy/Flamenco rock from Spain. So when I heard the popular Spanish song “Te estoy amando locamente” (I am loving you crazily) from the Puerto Rican singer/actress Nydia Caro, I knew it was destiny and I had to put this thing up.

Some of my prior posts focused on the phenomenon of Latin American covers of English language tracks. One can find a plethora of Latin bands covering songs from the British Invasion, to James Brown, to even more obscure rock, soul and funk. However, one tends to forget that Latin America also has a pulse on what is going on musically from their brothers and sisters in the Iberian Peninsula. Take for example the US/Puerto Rican Nydia Caro who lived in Spain in the early to mid 70’s, had collaborated with the super popular Julio Iglesias, and had even married a Spanish music producer. So it would come as no surprise that she would do her own rendition of the female Spanish group Las Grecas’ 1974 #1 hit song. Enjoy!

See you guys in a couple weeks!

1. Nydia Caro: Te Estoy Amando Locamente

La Migración

Published November 15, 2009 Events Leave a Comment

Sorry I haven’t been updating my blog lately. The house I currently reside in has been sold and I have about 15 to 20 days to find a new rental. As you can imagine I’ve been kind of stressed out just thinking about moving, so sorry I’ve been taking a back seat to my site. Finding a good place, at a decent price, and a spot to house my record collection is turning out to be harder than I anticipated. The good news is that my landlord is buying me out of my lease and that the next place I do live in will incorporate both my home office and all my music. So hopefully in a few weeks Super Sonido will have a lot more output for all you heads out there.

Manzanita: El Jardinero

Published October 18, 2009 Cumbia , Garage/Rock 3 Comments

Friday and Sunday nights are good nights for me to drop some posts. The more I write = the less work I’ve had and less binge drinking I’ve done all week. But this week’s laziness can be attributed to a horrible cold I’ve had. I hope it’s not the Al Pastor Flu. God have mercy on my soul.

El Jardinero (the gardener) comes from one of my favorite peruvian guitar slingers Manzanita y su Conjunto. I’m sure I’ll do a post on this guy in the future. Big shout out to my Latin soul brother Dj Joe Quixx, he’s been requesting this one every time I see him. And who wouldn’t? The song is incredible. A bit on the sluggish side, but so am I.

1. Manzanita: El Jardinero

Bronx River Parkway

Published October 18, 2009 Events , Latin Funk/Soul 1 Comment

I just want to let everyone know that I sometimes get people asking me to review their record or put up their dj mix. I am always happy to help out in any way possible. But as I rule I tend to put up music that stays with in the context of what super-sonido is all about. Plus, it has to be something I really like. So it comes as no surprise that when I received this PR pack for the group Bronx River Parkway, I nearly crapped my pants. Fuck yeah! These guys are awesome. The only disappointing item about all this is that I already own all their stuff, so it wouldn’t be fair to ask for free shit. Damn! Nevertheless, go buy this album!!! It’s already been out for a year. I put up a low grade MP3 of my favorite track (that way no one gets mad at me), but really this whole album stands out.

1. Bronx River Parkway: Aqua Con Sal

The Song:

The second single off Bronx River Parkway’s San Sebastian 152 is a saucy hip-shaker dripping with their signature Latin-funk flavor. These mainstays of Williamsburg-based Truth & Soul are known for a sound and style that stem from authenticity, not imitation. Legendary Sammy Ayala, formerly of Cortijo y Su Combo, leads the group of almost 20 musicians. Ayala brings his recognizable presence to the vocals of “Agua Con Sal” with a sultry style and flair. The minimalist production gives the feel of a live performance, while the polyrhythmic percussion arrangements compliment the classic horn section. ¡Una otra, por favor!

The Background:

This collective of musicians hailing from both New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico fuse seamlessly to create a flawless combination of Truth & Soul’s classic soul rhythms with the sounds and emotion of indigenous Puerto Rican and Caribbean music. The Hispanic funk jams of Bronx River Parkway’s upcoming album San Sebastian 152 are the perfect example of this synthesis: the record sets down timeless grooves that beg listeners to get down. Among the 20+ musicians of Bronx River Parkway is legendary lead singer, Sammy Ayala, an original member of Cortijo y Su Combo. He has been regarded as “The most consistent figure on Puerto Rico’s musical journey from folk to popular,” according to The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network. Ayala brings his trademark energy, stirringly passionate vocals, and floor-stomping performance to San Sebastian 152, which encourages engagement between the audience and performers in both live performances and through their recordings. This, in conjunction with the other talented souls of the orchestra, makes the album a force of nature: powerful, strong, and certain to make you move. San Sebastian 152 will be released on Truth & Soul, a Williamsburg-based modern vanguard of soul and funk, formed by Leon Michels and Jeff Silverman.

Audio Streams:

“Agua Con Sal”

http://media.audibletreats.com/Bronx_River_Parkway-Agua_Con_Sal.mp3

Mega Mezcla album sampler

http://media.audibletreats.com/BRP-Sampler.mp3

“La Valla”

http://media.audibletreats.com/Bronx_River_Parkway-La_Valla.mp3

Video Streams:

Rostarr and Truth & Soul- “Percussive Movement No. 5 -Timelapse”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR1m-TJA5FY

Rostarr and Truth & Soul- “Percussive Movement No. 7 -Timelapse”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nduomkqMPs