Friday, September 25, 2009
NEW CD
MY NEW CD-"Breaking Skin/Rompiendo el Cuero" is now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/congajohnny chek it out!....
Friday, September 4, 2009
NEW CD REVIEW OF MY NEW CD!
LATEST REVIEW of BREAKING SKIN/ROMPIENDO EL CUERO
Post by JohnnyConga » Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:20 pm
Johnny Conga – Breaking Skin (Independent 2009)
August 20, 2009
Review written by: Raul de Gama-Latin Jazz Network http://www.latinjazznet.com
Johnny Conga comes from a long line of illustrious tumbadores, too many to mention, but suffice it to say that from the musical evidence on Breaking Skin, the genealogy may well include the likes of Chano Pozo, Mongo Santamaria, Tata Güines, Candido, Armando Peraza, Francisco Aguabella and a host of others. Lest anyone out there scream, “Blasphemy!” it bears mention that Johnny Conga stylistically connects ancient with modern from the challenging rhythms of West Africa – the beating heart of ritmo – to the son and danzon, timba, bembe, charanga, rumba, mambo and so on.
Conga’s exclusively rhythm tracks – the “Conga Solo” series, which feature 2 and 3 congas, “Bembe Ochun,” “Conganation,” “Congobel Part II” and “Congarobics – 3 Congas” are all stunning displays not only of virtuoso tumbadora work, but inspired emotional homecoming. The hypnotic edge suggests a conjuring of the spirit world, a call to prayer that is primitive and powerfully modern. It suggests that the drum connection with musical spirituality is vibrantly alive.
Johnny Conga may be making a very important statement here. He is not only establishing his pedigree with this record, nor displaying a flashy skill. There is something greater than dexterity on display here. Johnny Conga is re-establishing the spirit connection with musical journeying. To suggest anything else would be silly. Jack DeJohnette had once lamented that spirituality had left music after John Coltrane died. Musicians it seemed were no longer probing, looking for the tonal centers of song and dance, while entertaining at the same time. But as civilizations spiral uncontrollably into the future, bereft a spirit the world spins darkly. Music like that on Breaking Skin is a constant reminder that there is an alternative, a seeking for the ebullience that can only come with a search for the deeper connection with the roots of humanity, the ritmo of the soul.
So can this record be really enjoyed without this mumbo jumbo? It can and in many more ways than one. True that there is an innocuous start to the record, with Chick Corea’s early chart, “Guajira,” but that only sets the stage for the musical heat that is to follow. There is also a superb display of transcendent interplay between Conga, piano and vibes player, Mario “Del Barrio” Marrero, and rhythmic counterpoint with timbalero, Edwin Bonilla together with the bongocero, Ronnie Loreto. “Seattle Bembe” is a fine example of ritualistic drumming, the rumbling incantation and Bembe raining, blended with a bubbling in the barrio as the maestro of the Yoruba worship calls upon the spirits up above to bless all songs.
“Siempre me va Bien” blends sassy melody with the raining of seemingly mambo coconuts and a delightfully drunken hypnotic clave laughter conjoined with piano con clave. But Johnny Conga does not stop at celebrating merely the Afro-Cuban, or the Afro-Caribbean – as on “Caribe Madness”. There is also some superb deconstruction of the Brasilian rhythms, featured on intense samba tracks such as “Mariel,” which rocks from a sensuous piano and vibes introduction to a swaggering bolero, before skipping with heart-stopping motion back to a samba. “Afro-Samba” is no less wonderful, though completely different from its fluttering counterpart. And, of course, “Midnight Mambo” is a sexy confluence of brass woodwinds and percussion – the highlights are the tenor saxophone work of Tom McCormick with Johnny Padilla on soprano doing svelte pirouettes in counterpoint.
Throughout the record, Johnny Conga’s effortless method of creating memorable ritmo is always on. The rhythmic splatters he creates are non pareil. His left hand patterns and a variety of right hand slaps both open toned and flat slapping is inspired and memorable. Add to that the compositional abilities and the recasting of older work in a modern context and this makes Breaking Skin a record that is pretty close to perfect.
Tracks: Guajira; Seattle Bembe; Siempre Me Va Bien; Conga Solo – 2 congas; Mariel; Conganation; Midnight Mambo; Congobel Part II; Kathy’s Theme; Afro-Samba; Conga Solo No. 2 – 3 Congas; Bembe Ochun; JC’s Revenge; Congarobics – 3 Congas; Comparsa Con Campanas; Afro-Dixie 6; Rumba Pa’ La Ocha; Caribe Madness.
Personnel: Johnny Conga: Congas; Juan Pablo Torres: trombone; Eddie “Guagua” Rivera: bass; Edwin Bonilla: timbales; Mario “Del Barrio” Marrero: piano, vibes; Ronnie Loreto: bongo, bell; Doug Michaels: trumpet; Tom McCormick: tenor saxophone (solo 1,3, 7); Johnny Padilla: tenor saxophone (solo: 5, 12), soprano saxophone (solo 7); Jose "Juanito" Martinez: drums; Guests Sammy Alamillo: drums, handclaps and background vocals; Jeff Woods: congas, guitars, handclaps and background vocals.
Johnny Conga on the web: www.myspace.com/jcjohnnyconga
Review written by: Raul da Gama
Tags: Breaking Skin, Doug Michaels, Eddie “Guagua” Rivera, Edwin Bonilla, Jeff Woods, Johnny Conga, Johnny Padilla, Jose "Juanito" Martinez, Juan Pablo Torres, Mario “Del Barrio” Marrero, Raul da Gama, Rompiendo el cuero, Ronnie Loreto, Sammy Alamillo, Tom McCormick
http://cdbaby.com/cd/congajohnny for a physical copy or mp3's
http://www.myspace.com/jcjohnnyconga
Post by JohnnyConga » Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:20 pm
Johnny Conga – Breaking Skin (Independent 2009)
August 20, 2009
Review written by: Raul de Gama-Latin Jazz Network http://www.latinjazznet.com
Johnny Conga comes from a long line of illustrious tumbadores, too many to mention, but suffice it to say that from the musical evidence on Breaking Skin, the genealogy may well include the likes of Chano Pozo, Mongo Santamaria, Tata Güines, Candido, Armando Peraza, Francisco Aguabella and a host of others. Lest anyone out there scream, “Blasphemy!” it bears mention that Johnny Conga stylistically connects ancient with modern from the challenging rhythms of West Africa – the beating heart of ritmo – to the son and danzon, timba, bembe, charanga, rumba, mambo and so on.
Conga’s exclusively rhythm tracks – the “Conga Solo” series, which feature 2 and 3 congas, “Bembe Ochun,” “Conganation,” “Congobel Part II” and “Congarobics – 3 Congas” are all stunning displays not only of virtuoso tumbadora work, but inspired emotional homecoming. The hypnotic edge suggests a conjuring of the spirit world, a call to prayer that is primitive and powerfully modern. It suggests that the drum connection with musical spirituality is vibrantly alive.
Johnny Conga may be making a very important statement here. He is not only establishing his pedigree with this record, nor displaying a flashy skill. There is something greater than dexterity on display here. Johnny Conga is re-establishing the spirit connection with musical journeying. To suggest anything else would be silly. Jack DeJohnette had once lamented that spirituality had left music after John Coltrane died. Musicians it seemed were no longer probing, looking for the tonal centers of song and dance, while entertaining at the same time. But as civilizations spiral uncontrollably into the future, bereft a spirit the world spins darkly. Music like that on Breaking Skin is a constant reminder that there is an alternative, a seeking for the ebullience that can only come with a search for the deeper connection with the roots of humanity, the ritmo of the soul.
So can this record be really enjoyed without this mumbo jumbo? It can and in many more ways than one. True that there is an innocuous start to the record, with Chick Corea’s early chart, “Guajira,” but that only sets the stage for the musical heat that is to follow. There is also a superb display of transcendent interplay between Conga, piano and vibes player, Mario “Del Barrio” Marrero, and rhythmic counterpoint with timbalero, Edwin Bonilla together with the bongocero, Ronnie Loreto. “Seattle Bembe” is a fine example of ritualistic drumming, the rumbling incantation and Bembe raining, blended with a bubbling in the barrio as the maestro of the Yoruba worship calls upon the spirits up above to bless all songs.
“Siempre me va Bien” blends sassy melody with the raining of seemingly mambo coconuts and a delightfully drunken hypnotic clave laughter conjoined with piano con clave. But Johnny Conga does not stop at celebrating merely the Afro-Cuban, or the Afro-Caribbean – as on “Caribe Madness”. There is also some superb deconstruction of the Brasilian rhythms, featured on intense samba tracks such as “Mariel,” which rocks from a sensuous piano and vibes introduction to a swaggering bolero, before skipping with heart-stopping motion back to a samba. “Afro-Samba” is no less wonderful, though completely different from its fluttering counterpart. And, of course, “Midnight Mambo” is a sexy confluence of brass woodwinds and percussion – the highlights are the tenor saxophone work of Tom McCormick with Johnny Padilla on soprano doing svelte pirouettes in counterpoint.
Throughout the record, Johnny Conga’s effortless method of creating memorable ritmo is always on. The rhythmic splatters he creates are non pareil. His left hand patterns and a variety of right hand slaps both open toned and flat slapping is inspired and memorable. Add to that the compositional abilities and the recasting of older work in a modern context and this makes Breaking Skin a record that is pretty close to perfect.
Tracks: Guajira; Seattle Bembe; Siempre Me Va Bien; Conga Solo – 2 congas; Mariel; Conganation; Midnight Mambo; Congobel Part II; Kathy’s Theme; Afro-Samba; Conga Solo No. 2 – 3 Congas; Bembe Ochun; JC’s Revenge; Congarobics – 3 Congas; Comparsa Con Campanas; Afro-Dixie 6; Rumba Pa’ La Ocha; Caribe Madness.
Personnel: Johnny Conga: Congas; Juan Pablo Torres: trombone; Eddie “Guagua” Rivera: bass; Edwin Bonilla: timbales; Mario “Del Barrio” Marrero: piano, vibes; Ronnie Loreto: bongo, bell; Doug Michaels: trumpet; Tom McCormick: tenor saxophone (solo 1,3, 7); Johnny Padilla: tenor saxophone (solo: 5, 12), soprano saxophone (solo 7); Jose "Juanito" Martinez: drums; Guests Sammy Alamillo: drums, handclaps and background vocals; Jeff Woods: congas, guitars, handclaps and background vocals.
Johnny Conga on the web: www.myspace.com/jcjohnnyconga
Review written by: Raul da Gama
Tags: Breaking Skin, Doug Michaels, Eddie “Guagua” Rivera, Edwin Bonilla, Jeff Woods, Johnny Conga, Johnny Padilla, Jose "Juanito" Martinez, Juan Pablo Torres, Mario “Del Barrio” Marrero, Raul da Gama, Rompiendo el cuero, Ronnie Loreto, Sammy Alamillo, Tom McCormick
http://cdbaby.com/cd/congajohnny for a physical copy or mp3's
http://www.myspace.com/jcjohnnyconga
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
CONGA CAMP/INTENSIVE with "JC" Johnny Conga
I am now accepting anyone interested in attending my "CC/I" here at my home in Seattle,WA-USA...My newest attendees will be arriving from North Carolina next week to spend a few days with me... below is what i have to offer. I will also help u to find the cheapest flight to Seattle. Room and Food is included in price of the CC/I...anyone interested please email me privetly at johnnyconga@hotmail.com and let's do it!.."JC" Johnny Conga
Here is what I teach ...
RHYTHMS:
1.Bolero 5 variations
2.Caballo with variations
3.Danzon
4.Yambu on conga drum
5.Guaguanco- 5 variations
6.Rumba with variations/columbia/abierto 2 drums/one drum/NY street rumba
7.Abakua split hand style and one drum patterns
8.Plena split hand on congas
9.Bomba tradicional
10.Bambiche
11.Merengues with variations
12.Mozambique-New/Old skool
13.Cumbia with variations one drum and 2 drums
14.Bembe variations
15.Conga Comparsa with variations
16.Changui
17.Calypso
18.Bossa Nova with variations
19.Afro-Samba-and Samba on 2 congas
20.Songo with variatons-Basico/Changuito's
21.Pilon with variation
22.Iyesa with variations
23.6/8 basic with variations 1 2 and 3 drums
24.Tumbao in 7/4
25.Guarapachangeo with variations and concepts(2 3 4 5 congas)
26.Ritmo Pa Ca
27.Dengue
28.Jala Jala
29.Mongos tumbao's
30.Mongos merengue
31.Mongos Afro Blue with variations
32.Tumbaos-1-3 drum variations
33.Orisa wth variations
34. La Clave-2/3 3/2 Son Clave- 3/2 2/3 Rumba Clave
35.Chaonda
36.6/8 bell patterns on Conga drum-short bell and long bell
37.Counting and tapping
38.Reading for percussion
39.Music and Rhythm theory
40.CongaRobics(tm) with
Neuro Linguistic Programming(Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ was specifically created in order to allow us to do magic by creating new ways of understanding how verbal and non-verbal communication affect the human brain. As such it presents us all with the opportunity to not only communicate better with others, but also learn how to gain more control over what we considered to be automatic functions of our own neurology.)
41."Play along" with the music/vaious styles-latin/jazz/funk/pop
42.Techinique/breathing and relaxing
43."Styles" pop/soul/jazz on conga drums
44.Sound Development
45.Ear training
Monday, April 27, 2009
NEW CD AVAILABLE BY JOHNNY CONGA
I have a NEW CD FOR SALE AT http://www.digstation.com/JohnnyConga
Available NOW! 18 traks of Afro-Cuban/Caribbean Drumming and Latin Jazz music...FEATURING
EDDIE"GUAGUA"RIVERA, JUAN PABLO TORRES,EDWIN BONILLA,JUNITO MARTINEZ,MARIO MARRERO,JOHNNY PADILLA, TOM McCORMICK, DOUG MICHAELS, RONNIE LORETO
SAMMY ALAMILLO AND JEFF WOODS ONLY ON SEATTLE BEMBE AND AFRO DIXIE 6
Available NOW! 18 traks of Afro-Cuban/Caribbean Drumming and Latin Jazz music...FEATURING
EDDIE"GUAGUA"RIVERA, JUAN PABLO TORRES,EDWIN BONILLA,JUNITO MARTINEZ,MARIO MARRERO,JOHNNY PADILLA, TOM McCORMICK, DOUG MICHAELS, RONNIE LORETO
SAMMY ALAMILLO AND JEFF WOODS ONLY ON SEATTLE BEMBE AND AFRO DIXIE 6
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