GENE PERRY - MI TAMBOR LO DICE TODO (2007)
Catch Gene Perry's exceptional debut album celebrating his mastery of conga percussion and his love for Latin jazz and salsa music
Joaquin
McWhinney Lead vocals, coro
Gene Perry Congas, coro
Allan Phillips Piano, bongoes, timbales, coro, percussion
Harry Kim Trumpets
Justo Almario
Alto, tenor sax
Rene Camacho Bass
Mark Lamson Bata drums
Arturo Velasco Trombones
Natalya Phillips Background vocals
Charlie Chavez Timbales
Kevin Delgado Bass
Derek Cannon Flugelhorns
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
review by Rudy Mangual - courtesy Latin Beat Magazine
The old-time, classic rumba titled Agua Que Va a Caer is the opening track on this bandleading debut by conga master Gene Perry. A native son of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Perry migrated with his family to the USA, first as a youngster to Philadelphia; and later, in 1968, to San Diego, California. For the past four decades, Perry has been drumming to the beat of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and leading his own bands, including Drums on Fire and Afro Rumba. In addition, he has performed with diverse artists and bands such as Marie and Anita Daulne (of Zap Mama), Thomas Mapfumo (from Zimbabwe), Habib Koite (from Mali), Vusi (from South Africa), and Perú Negro (troupe specialized in Afro-Peruvian music). This sought-after percussionist has also taught Afro Caribbean percussion to hundreds of students. Mi Tambor Lo Dice Todo displays his rhythmic versatility, under the musical direction of arranger/multi-instrumentalist Allan Phillips. The project captures the powerful sound and style of the New York City salsa bands of the early 1970s, in a mixed repertoire of classics and original scores. Joining Perry this time around is an all-star west coast crew comprised of Justo Almario (sax), Arturo Velasco (trombone), Harry Kim (trumpet), and René Camacho (bass), in addition to Joaquín McWhinney (as the main lead vocalist) and Gene Perry himself (featured as lead singer on two tracks). Favorites include the tracks Agua Que Va a Caer, Mi Tambor Lo Dice Todo, and Bomba Santurce.
