MANY THANKS TO NELSON RODRIGUEZ
Jose Elizarraraz and Hugo Macario on vocals and percussion
Raul Rico, Jr., on timbales
Robert Clements, congas
David Garcia, bongos
Karl Schiffmann, piano
Ian Peters, bass
Barry Nitikman and Jonathon Dane, trumpets
1 Bilongo (son) 2 El Cuarto de Tula (son) 3 Sabor a Mi (Bolero-cha) 4 Afrodite (son) 5 El Canoero (cumbia) 6 Perfidia (cha-cha-cha) 7 Sabor a Caney (son) 8 Caballo Viejo (cumbia-son) 9 Besame Mucho (salsa)
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
review by Nelson Rodriguez - courtesy Latin Beat Magazine
For many people
outside the West Coast, the process of learning about the music
being created and performed there has been a slow one. The roots
from Seattle to San Diego have been rich with the diverse
nationalities that have delved into the Afro-Caribbean sounds.
Back in December 1995, trumpeter/vocalist Dr. Robin Moore, now a
professor of music at University of Texas, conguero Robert Clements
and pianist/composer/arranger Karl Schiffmann formed
Somos Son
and began to bring the exciting dance rhythms of Cuba to Santa
Barbara, California.
Robert, co-leader and a master percussion craftsman, has been a
performer for 25 years. Karl has studied with some of Cuba’s finest
keyboard players, including Chucho Valdes, Cesar “Pupy” Pedroso and
Hilario Duran.
Raul Rico, Jr., who for many years was the conguero for
The Estrada
Brothers, plays timbales on this debut CD,
"Afrodite." Raul has been with Somos Son since 1996 and hosts both
Latin jazz and salsa radio programs at KCLU-FM in Thousand Oaks,
California.
The vocals are well-handled by Hugo Macario, who has toured with
Quetzalcoatl, and José Elizarraraz, who together have their own
group “Vientos Del Sur.” Malcolm Ian Peters, formerly of The Estrada
Brothers and a member of Somos Son since 1996, does a formidable job
on the bass. Veteran bongocero Tommy Saito, who has played with Tito
Rodriguez, Hector Rivera, Rene Bloch, Paul Lopez and Bobby Montez,
round out the rhythm.
Trumpeters Adolfo Acosta, first trumpet and current member of Tower
of Power, and Barry Nitikman, second trumpet/arranger, are featured
throughout this wonderful excursion through some classic covers.
“Afrodite” opens with the son “Bilongo,” one of Guillermo Rodriguez
Fiffe’s best-known compositions. Karl leads the soloists into a
blazing exchange between Barry and Adolfo followed by Raul ripping
the timbales.
Band members heard the tune, “Cuarto De Tula” and fell in love with
this popular son. It is their tribute to Elidades Ochoa’s version.
Check out Karl on piano and Tommy’s inspiring bongo licks.
The pace slows down for the ever-romantic “Sabor A Mi” with Barry’s
trumpet solo, and vocalists, Jose and Hugo, taking turns with the
lead melody.
The title track, “Afrodite,” composed by Karl as a jazz-son,
features special guest soloist and now regular first trumpet
Jonathan Dane, with Robert adding the proper taste the song deserves.
“El Canoero” and “El Caballo Viejo” are traditional cumbias played
regularly for Somos Son’s faithful fans at local gigs. “El Caballo
Viejo” swings at the end with solos by Barry, Karl and Robert.
The Cha-Cha-Cha is well-represented by “Perfidia” with the
arrangement inspiration coming from Linda Ronstadt’s Grammy-award
winning recording “Frenesi.” Karl once again delights the listener
with a superb solo. Barry’s invigorating trumpet solo adds a new
twist to the song and is highlighted by Robert’s conga solo swinging
above a son groove.
Somos Son delivers a juicy swing to the classic son, “Sabor a Caney,”
with Adolfo’s trumpet and guest flautist Ruben Martinez.
On the classic, “Besame Mucho,” Barry’s arrangement and inspired
trumpet "la diana" thoroughly blends modern Cuban salsa styles,
giving the song a unique Somos Son flavor, and a proper closing to
this smashing CD.
This recording is one that will bring full enjoyment every time you
play it and introduce you to the extraordinary sounds being heard in
Santa Barbara... home to Somos Son.
