Carlos Embale "El edén de Los Roncos"

Found this in the extras of a DVD on Septeto Nacional. Listed as Carlos Embale y Coro Folklórico, I think that's Amado Dedeu on claves, later of Clave y Guaguancó and also featured on the Rapsodia Rumbera albums.

No date on this, but interesting how they incorporate the batá in the montuno.

This tune was composed by Ignacio Piñeiro and is usually known as "El Desengaño de Los Roncos." (Los Roncos was the name of a "Coro de Clave" directed by Piñeiro.


Download the mp4 of this clip from rapidshare. (23MB)

Los Muñequitos, the way they were...

I finally rented "Los Muñequitos de Matanzas: Live in L.A." over the weekend. I never heard much about this when it came out, and now I understand why.

What a disappointment. The group is just a mere shadow of its former self. And the CD is shoddily produced as well. Why can't these things ever seem to be made by someone who understands rumba?

Fortunately I had also rented "Roots of Rhythm" and just this 1:14 seconds of footage was worth the entire "Live in LA" DVD.

How I wish that someday all this footage (and the Clave y Guaguancó, and the Isaac Oviedo from the same doc) would surface, it is all really priceless.



you can download this clip from rapidshare (31MB):

http://rapidshare.de/files/30529433/munecos.mp4

Rumba en Belén

A nice clip from the "Roots of Rhythm" documentary, with dialogue describing the "vacunao"...



I think the group performing is an early version of Clave y Guaguancó, although you see Miguel Chappottín (lead vocals) and Chan of Yoruba Andabo, and the final columbia dancer wil be familiar to many local NY rumberos and Djoniba-goers...

EDIT: Here is the link to download this clip: http://rapidshare.com/files/10936095/rumba.belen.mp4
(Link updated Jan 09.)

Alberto Romero Díaz, singer for Los Muñequitos, 1948-2006

The world lost a great rumbero on August 10. Since joining the group in 1980, Alberto's contribution to the Muñequitos as solista was immeasurable, he will be missed.

Listen to Alberto sing "Oyelos de nuevo" from the "Real Rumba"compilation CD. He does the intro and the inspirations.