Sabu Martinez - Palo Congo - Original Blue Note Japan BLP 1561 Stereo LP
$
50
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Description
Sabu - Palo Congo LP
Original Blue Note BLP 1561 Japanese pressing; includes pamphlet & shrink-wrap w/ sticker
Condition (play-test/Goldmine)
Record: NM. Pristine vinyl, clean with excellent presence Cover: Ex+/NM. Opened but kept in original shrink
Any serious student of Afro Cuban music must have this album if only for the rare vocal and Conga drum performances by the great Cuban Born Arsenio Rodriguiz who also performs on tres (Cuban Guitar). Arsenio is credited by many as being the father of the Cuban Conjunto sound which became the root of present day so-called "Salsa". He was truly a semi-mystical figure in Cuban music and was a descendant of the Igbo tribe whereas most Cuban Blacks were descendants of the Yoruba culture. He knew many secret ritual rhythms from his membership in secret Cuban Abakua and Nanigo fraternal societies. The second cut on side one is "Billumba, Palo Congo" featuring a very intense rare Igbo rhythm played on tumba ((large bass Conga) by Arsenio who also chants in "Ebo" throwing in some fast phrases that will make your brain melt along with the uptempo intensity of his relentless conga rhythm that continuously drives the piece in ferocious fashion. This man was an incredible force who, by the way, was blind!
Conga Drummer, singer, dancer and "Showman" Sabu Martinez, on the other hand, was born in New York City. He made his professional debut in 1941 at age 11. He replaced Chano Pozo in Dizzy Gillespie's big band in 1948. Over the next fifteen years Martinez worked with Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Basie, Monk, Mingus, Horace Silver, Tito Rodriguez, Miguelito Valdes, Joe Loco and even did gigs with Belafonte,Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis Jr.
Art Blakey brought him to the attention of Blue Note when he used Martinez on his 1953 Orgy in Rhythm date. Four years later in 1957 Blue Note gave him this date, his first as a leader, and Louis ("Sabu") brought in Arsenio and other New York Afro-Cuban heavyweights for this date. While this album explores material that is "beyond category" it maintains a solid groove that extends from New York through the Caribbean to the West coast of Africa.
I tested the play on my Denon D-47 turntable with a Shure V15 Type 3 cartridge and it sounded great.
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Professional Musician & former WRVR New York Jazz & Salsa DJ Roger Dawson (see wikipedia etc)-- Selling my collection of over 2000 LPS!
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