Search - Jose Conde :: Jose Conde

In his new project and first solo (self-titled) cd Conde trades the Cuban tres for a vintage Gretsch, for a refined and personal collection of songs clothed in electric and organic, funky world beats, inspired by trees, elephants, dogs, sexy dresses, and love.In a funky world music stretch, the first solo album by Jose Conde bursts forward with diverse influences and colors from South Africa to Brazil to Peru and more, with rootsy rhythms and humor undeniably and soulfully Cuban, yet uniquely Conde.
It is a significant departure and logical follow-up from Conde s previous two world acclaimed, award winning, and much licensed cds as Jose Conde y Ola Fresca, the 2008 Indie Music Awards Best Latin Album REVOLUCION (Mr Bongo UK 2007), and AY! QUE RICO (PIPIKI RECORDS 2004).
Brooklyn based singer songwriter, José Conde reimagined the Latin conjunto. He blazed through salsa and son. He unleashed long trippy jams and massive brass sections. He dug deep into his Cuban heritage and Miami upbringing. He s done the world music and Latin alternative thing, won awards, and played to jubilant, crowds. A fixture on the alternative Latin scene, Conde has indeed experimented with a multitude of formats, approaches, and projects, as a markedly independent musician. His music has been featured on the BBC, NPR, HBO, and Showtime. He won Best Latin Album at the Independent Music Awards (2008) and has gotten crowds hopping from the Montreal Jazz Festival to New Orleans Jazzfest.
As a songwriter and bandleader for his previous band Ola Fresca, Conde developed a striking instinct for merging his Miami upbringing, Cuban roots, and New York s Latin underground. In two critically acclaimed albums, Ay! Que Rico (PiPiKi/Universal; 2004) and the award winning (R)Evolución (Mr. Bongo Records UK; 2007), Conde drew on Puerto Rican bomba and Haitian compas, Cuban son and New Orleans swamp-funk. Five songs from these albums have been featured on Putumayo and Rough Guide Records compilations.