Search - Tito Puente :: Para Los Rumberos

In Memoriam "The King of the Timbales"

Oswald Placeres | Netherlands | 04/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I consider this CD one of his best recordings. I believe Tito Puente was the first New York Rican musician to play the Afro-Cuban music in New York. He devoted his time in learning how to play the Cuban rhythms and became "The king Of the Timbales". His early recordings consisted most of Mambo tunes, he learned most of the rhythms from the great Cuban Jazz composer and his mentor Mario Bauza. Also he was the timbalero for Pupi Campo (RUMBAS & MAMBOS) and his orchestra one of the early Cubans who introduced the Afro-Cuban sound in New York. On this CD He demonstrates what a good composer and musical arranger he was. The song "Nina y Senora" is a great combination of two old Cuban songs form a great big band Cuban composer of the early 1930's. The son "Para los Rumberos" was an inspiration of the Cuban Carnivals (RCA original recording 1956: Tito Puente "Cuban Carnival") rumberos dancers during the comparsas in the streets of Havana, and in the casino shows. Although he was not of Cuban origin, he loved the Cuban music very much, and came very close to the real Cuban sound, he also included many Cuban musicians and singers for his Big Band during his life time. I believe he ranks as one of the best Afro-Cuban interpreters of all times. +Tito Puente+ (R.I.P)."