Songo

• Genres: Rock

Biography

San Franciscan guitarist Carlos Palomares formed the basis of the Latin funk band Songo in 1997, but it wasn't until 1999 that the group took shape. The addition of Mexican singer/lyricist Hector "el Spider" Quintana completed Palomares' songs, which structurally were largely influenced by his Cuban heritage. Quintana's sonorous voice and Palomares' mathematical guitar figures garnered the band local interest, attention that was overshadowed by Palomares' other gig as guitarist for a San Francisco disco cover band called Superbooty. With a revolving set of side musicians filling out its rhythmic sound, Songo toured extensively in the Bay Area and other parts of California from 1999 through early 2002, releasing the album Havana Soul in the summer of 2000. However, distribution was crippled by the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of album distributor Valley Media and Quintana left the band in early 2002, leaving its future in disarray. ~ Joseph McCombs, All Music Guide

Havana Soul Buy this CD

• Artist: Los Van Van
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1988
• Total Time: 46:51
• Genre: Latin

Review

Taking their name from their famous hybrid rhythm, meaning a cross between Cuba's native son music and the go-go of the 1970s, Songo is the record that started it all. Los Van Van quickly gained an international reputation, having already long been their native Cuba's favorite dance band. The music, which brilliantly synthesizes the syncopated African-influenced rhythms of Cuba with funk and disco sounds coming out of the States, would influence musicians on either side of the cultural divide. Companas and congas create intricate textures over the solid bedrock of disco drums and keyboards. The percussive innovations of Jose Luis Quintana, better known as Changuito, would chart the course for the next generation of drummers and timbaleros. Bandleader and bass player Juan Formell exhibits an intuitive, natural songwriting sensibility that would characterize his career. Arranger and pianist Cesar Pedroso demonstrates his abilities both as a leader and as a soloist. If the modern listener can get over the seriously dated sound sources (plastic-sounding electronic drum triggers and keyboard patches) the music of Songo is not just an important history lesson; it proves to be as enjoyable a listen today as when it first electrified the dancefloors of Havana. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
La Titimania	Juan Formell	Los Van Van	(5:17)
Calla	César Pedroso	Los Van Van	(5:36)
Que Palo Es Ese	Juan Formell	Los Van Van	(5:41)
Sandunguera (Por Encima del Nivel)	Juan Formell	Los Van Van	(7:09)
Muevete (Anda Ven y Muevete)	Juan Formell	Los Van Van	(7:30)
Recaditos No	Juan Formell	Los Van Van	(4:15)
Ya Tu Campana No Suena	César Pedroso	Los Van Van	(6:31)
Y Que Tu Crees	Juan Formell	Los Van Van	(5:38)

Credits

Los Van Van (Main Performer), Pedro Calvo (Vocals), Pedro Calvo (Vocals (Background)), Orlando Canto (Flute), Orlando Canto (Percussion), Jon Cantoy (Producer), Alvaro Collado (Trombone), John Fausty (Producer), John Fausty (Engineer), John Fausty (Mixing), Jon Fausty (Producer), Jon Fausty (Engineer), Jon Fausty (Mixing), Juan Formell (Bass), Juan Formell (Timbales), Juan Formell (Vocals), Juan Formell (Producer), Manuel Labarrera (Conga), Fernando Leyva (Violin), Jesus Linares (Violin), Gerardo Miro (Violin), Hugo Morejon (Synthesizer), Hugo Morejon (Trombone), Hugo Morejon (Keyboards), Juliol Noroña (Percussion), Juliol Noroña (?), Juliol Noroña (Guiro), César Pedroso (Piano), Edmondo Pina (Trombone), Mario Valdes (Vocals), Mario Valdes (Vocals (Background)), Enrique Fernandez (Sleeve Notes), Mike Prior (Photography), Laurent Jaïs (Assistant), Jose Luis Quintana Fuerte (Drums), Jose Luis Quintana Fuerte (Timbales), Jose Luis Quintana Fuerte (Simmons Drums), Ozbert Parks (Illustrations), Phyllis Cohen (Spanish Translation)

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