Los Rumberos de la Bahia – Mabagwe – A Tribute To “Los Mayores” (Eguin Eje Records, 2018)
Los Mayores means “the elders” in Spanish. Mabagwe celebrates the Cuban rumba legacy in San Francisco. With a mix of Cuban asylum seekers who settled in the San Francisco Bay Area and their students, San Francisco has a thriving Cuban rumba scene. This project showcases the work of Cuban vocalist José Luis Gómez, Cuban percussionist Jesús Diaz, American percussionist Michael Spiro and their numerous friends and collaborators.
Mabagwe – A Tribute To “Los Mayores” features a mix of Afro-Cuban chanting with call and response vocals and lyrics and spoken word in Spanish that illustrate the syncretic nature of Afro-Cuban sacred songs that mix African deities and Catholic saints. The first track specifically names many of the musicians that played a role in the development of Afro-Cuban music and have now passed.
The large majority of the album features vocals and a wide range of spellbinding Cuban drums. Mabagwe also includes a medley of three classic boleros that have been transformed into exquisite rumba songs featuring guitar. Again, here we find the Cuban melting pot, where African traditions meet Spanish musical influences.
Mabagwe was recorded by rumberos from three different areas: Cuba, the United States, and rumberos who recently emigrated to the United States from Cuba. These musicians provide diverse sounds, arrangements and inspirations.
The personnel on Mabagwe includes Michael Spiro on percussion; José Luis Gomez on lead and background vocals; Jesús Diaz on lead vocals, background vocals and percussion; Rogelio Ernesto Gatell Coto on lead and background vocals; Ivan Camblor on tres guitar; Colin Douglas on percussion; Jesús González on quinto; Jason McGuire on acoustic guitar; Beatriz Godinez Muñiz on lead and background vocals; Fito Reinoso on lead and background vocals; Genesie Reinoso on background vocals and Randel Villalongo on quinto.
Mabagwe – A Tribute To “Los Mayores” is a masterfully recorded album that provides celebrates Cuban tradition and continues to move it forward.
Buy Mabagwe – A Tribute To “Los Mayores”
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
