Jose Mangual Buyu Turnstyle Records (T433) Greatness, that elusive indescribable quality is what its all about. Its what the vast majority in the arts pursue, but seldom realize. Out of the crowd there steps a man who need never complete with anyone to achieve greatness, so unique as to set the standard for all the rest. This extraordinary man is Jose Mangual Sr. Mangual is not only the greatness of all bongo players, but a musician whose rhythm is so potent and unique, who possesses a personality so magnificent, that he is adored and respected no matter what musical situation he may be in. Born in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico in 1924, Jose Mangual came to New York in 1939. When he was only 13 he was already playing professionally (an older musician had to pick him up and bring him home from the gig). Mangual worked for many years with the renowned Machito Orchestra and it was there he began performing with Carlos Patato Valdez. Mangual and Patato soon became the legendary rhythm duo that enchanted and transformed the world of rhythm. They left Machito in 1959 to work with Herbie Mann and the following year they toured Africa where their effect may have been indelible in that West Africa, even today, is a great supporter of the Cuban musical tradition that both Mangual and Patato represent. For the last four years of Erroll Gardners life, Mangual played the conga with him, lending to that instrument the same mastery he wields on the bongos. Jose Mangual is a musician possessing such supreme self confidence that he never lays back to see where the rhythm is coming from. Mangual is where the rhythm is coming from, the man to whom others look to find where the groove is at. He is in total control - at the pinnacle of his art. He is the GRAND MASTER. Jose Mangual has put down for the world to enjoy some of the most exciting bongo playing ever to be experienced. When asked about applying his rhythm to a funk setting (Black & Brown Boogie) he responded with a typical Mangual understatement, Its all rhythm, aint it? His friends from New Yorks El Barrio call him Buyu, but I didnt know it when I first saw Jose Mangual in Birdland in 1956, playing a Monday night Afro-Cuban jam session. I didnt get to meet him that night, but I felt as if I did because seeing this beautiful man, looking ten feet tall behind his bongo drums, permanently changed my life. It was my first experience with Cuban percussion and I loved it! In fact, I never felt so good in all the previous 17 years of my life. It wasnt until maybe 10 years l8ter that we really met, by chance, in a East Harlem after-hours club. Weve been close ever since. Mangual is to me the greatest of all human beings, a man whos given me, in a spiritual sense, more than any other human being. I do not stand alone. Every person who has met this great man loves and respects him and I sincerely hope you feel this greatness in his music. Enjoy! Martin Cohen Side A 1. Mai Kinshasa * 2. Dreamy **** 3. Chinatown ** 4. Summit ** Side B 1. More * 2. Black & White Boogie *** 3. Sunrise Prince * 4. Bomba De Puerto Rico ** Personnel: Jose Mangual Sr: Bongo, Cowbell, Guiro, Tambourin Carlos Patato Valdez: Congo, Tambourin Tito Puente: Timbales, Vibes Marimba, Surdo, Tambourin Bobby Rodriguez: Electric Fender Bass Luis Perico Ortiz: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Synthesizer, Cuica Dick Mesa: Tenor Saxophone, Flute Jimmy Knepper: Trombone Keith O Quinn: Trombone Artie Azenzer: Acoustic Grand Piano Ralph MacDonald: Percussion Steve Gadd: Trap Drums Richard Tee: Fender Rhodes Electric Piano Artie Jenkins: Clavinet Hugh McCraken: Electric Guitar Anthony Jackson: Electric Fender Bass Victor Paz: Trumpet Mike Lawrence: Trumpet, Flugelhorn Seldon Powell: Tenor Saxophone, Flute Barry Rogers: Trombone Frank Floyd: Vocal Ken Williams: Vocal Zach Sanders: Vocal Musical Arrangements by: Luis Perico Ortiz * Tito Puente ** William Eaton Jr. *** Jimmy Knepper **** Produced by: Martin Cohen Executive Producer: Martin Cohen Recording Director: Jose Mangual Sr. Album Cover & Liner Photos: Martin Cohen Album Cover Design: Bob Chichester Recording Engineer: Richard Alderson Recorded @: Rosebud Recording Studios, NYC TURNSTYLE RECORDS, 1977 A TURNSTYLE RECORDS PRODUCTION
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 00:22:07 +0000