Keeper of the Latin Jazz Beat:
Johnny Conga & Roots of Rhythms
By Erik Chico Manqueros
From Miami, Florida we have found
ourselves a gem of a recording and musician. Mr. Johnny Conga
and his group Caribe keep the Latin Jazz beat going and then
some. I was very pleasantly surprised to find this gem and believe
me if you enjoy cool swinging Latin Jazz you will feel the same
way.
Johnny Conga "J.C." is a gifted and crafty conguero
and bandleader. Having begun his musical career at an early age
Johnny's sound and musicianship is absolutely superb and first
rate. He has a list of credits that will certainly grab your
attention. He has worked with an array of talents like Gloria
Gaynor, Charlie Palmieri, Willie Colon, Johnny Colon, Joe Bataan,
Tito Ramos, Frankie Ruiz, The Jackson 5, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria,
Holland Dozier & Holland, El Chicano, Johnny Martinez, Maynard
Ferguson, Sergio Mendes & Brazil 77, Arturo Sandoval, Dave
Valentin just to name a few and has worked all over the world
with different groups.
When I first checked this recording out I said to myself,
"Nice....I like the way this cat makes those congas Groove."
That is exactly what this recording is all about. Straight ahead
Latin Jazz with all the groove and soul you can handle. The sound
of this tight ensemble is swinging and will have you enjoying
every note. What I like about this recording is that all the
players get a chance to introduce themselves with tasteful and
Right on solos.
The tunes on this disc are a nice mix of traditional style
Mambos, Guarijas and interludes of traditional Afro-Cuban performed
by his folkloric group known as "Roots of Rhythm."
If you are a connoisseur of Latin percussion and rhythm in its
finest form you will enjoy these percussion "clinics."
For the aspiring Latin Jazz musicos this is what these rhythms
are all about. No fake it stuff here...you get the real deal
in rhythms like Comparsa, Bomba, Rumba and Afro-Samba.
Check out the group's rendition of "Guarija" which
was composed by a very young Chick Corea and recorded by the
great Willie Bobo back in 1964. The feel of the percussion and
the arrangement are first rate. Listen to the tasty piano work
of Mario Marrero on Piano and Vibes, WOW..Very nice. Tenor sax
solo is done by Tom McCormick and is very hip. I really enjoy
the very classy "Mariel" which starts off as a gorgeous
bolero and then changes direction picking up tempo and finishes
off in fine modern style with a strong bongo solo by Ronnie Loreto.
If you like rhythmic mambos then
you will enjoy "Siempre Me Va Bien", "Cathy's
Theme" and the swaying "Midnite Mambo." These
tunes explode with energy and Latin fire. I like the way this
group plays together and in such a grand appeal. "Siempre
me va bien" which was written by long-time Musical Director
for the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz unit, features a great trombone
solo by Juan Pablo Torres who is making his U.S. recording debut.
I think Johnny Conga is a name you will hear a lot about in
the upcoming years. His sound is fresh and inviting. This ensemble
of musicos has got it together and play Latin Jazz the right
way. The swinging way! Con mucho swing y sabor! Check it out
for yourself and watch out for many more recordings from Johnny's
Congas.
For more information on Johnny Conga he can be reached by
email at johnnyconga@hotmail.com
By Erik Chico Manqueros
Host & Producer of The Latin
Style of Jazz and Contributing writer
Latin Style Magazine, LatinJazzClub.com
