Sunday, March 28, 2010

"One Tribe, Many Voices" Podcast: Episode 64


painting: Abdul Mati Klarwein

This week the podcast continues with another exciting One Tribe, Many Voices World Music Festival show.


Thursday, March 25, 2010

"One Tribe, Many Voices" Podcast: Episode 63



The live show concept podcast is really intriguing so we are continuing on that path for a few weeks. Subcribe to the show, it's as east as clicking iTunes and it's free!


Saturday, March 20, 2010

Worldwide Water Crisis and What You Can Do About It!




"One Tribe, Many Voices" Podcast: Episode 62



Intro: Africano / Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Thunder in the Jungle

Set One:

1. The Secret of the Drums /Rasheed Ali / Thunder in the Jungle
2. Baba /Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa
3. Cuando /Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa


Set Two:

1. Criollo /Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa
2. Tirando Bombas /Rasheed Ali / Thunder in the Jungle
3. Agua Santa /Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa
4. Lleva' me /Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa

Set Three:

1. Oye Lo /Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa
2. Nadie me Hablo Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa
3. Buscando y Pidiendo /Rasheed Ali & Rain People / Agua Santa


Thursday, March 18, 2010

A man and the extension of his soul: his drum



Photo: Gayle Nicholls

People write eulogies and obituaries when great people pass away. Tonight I spent some time staring at what remains of a great musician with an always buoyant spirit. There, in that coffin, was the physical outer shell of a man whose boundless musical spirit could never be contained.

After I cried, I was overcome by the feeling that Victor Pantoja, world-class drummer, was gone and gone far away from that physical form that he once inhabited. His body was there before me but the musical soul that once animated it had already left this planet.

Death is the ultimate equalizer for every living being on this planet. Though death will always be the great unknown, maybe it is life that is the ever greater mystery. How does this giant personality emanate from this empty vessel of skin and bones?

Ultimately, the answer just doesn't matter because great artists or great contributors to this human life leave their contributions behind for us to cherish and enjoy for eternity.

Victor Pantoja was indeed one of those great contributors.

He contributed his rhythmic brilliance to numerous recordings. He gave his part to Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Machito, Santana, Azteca, Malo, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Willie Bobo, Cal Tjader, Hubert Laws, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis, Cab Calloway and countless many others including me.

There are only two types of people that walk this planet; those that give and those that take.

Those that take will live in infamy, those that give will live forever.

My friend was a musician and his musical contribution will live forever.

Bendiciones Baba!



Friday, March 12, 2010

Victor Pantoja: July 6, 1939 - March 12. 2010


Photo: Gayle Nicholls-Ali



This week's podcast is dedicated in loving memory to Victor Pantoja.



The Late Great and Legendary Victor Pantoja!


Photo: Gayle Nicholls-Ali


Without Words: The Master's Hands / Victor Pantoja

Photo: Gayle Nicholls-Ali


Victor Pantoja: Legendary Boricua Congero Passes Away!



In this photo: "Papa" Pantoja is pushed to greater heights during his conga solo by, fellow Boricua congero, David Romero. I am very proud to say that both of these fine musicians played in my band: Rain People.

In a few days I will be able to write a more appropriate tribute to a man who meant so much to me...but right now I just can't deal with yet another obituary on this blog.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

"One Tribe, Many Voices" Podcast Episode 60



Intro: Fogo / Lenine / Labiata

Set One:

1. Propaganda / Nacao Zumbi
2. Estupido Rapaz / Tom Ze / Estudando O Pagode
3. Rosebud / O Verbo / Lenine / En Cite

Set Two:

1. Caldo de Cana / Nacao Zumbi
2. Proposta de Amor / Tom Ze / Estudando O Pagode
3. Todas Elas Juntas / Lenine / En Cite

Set Three:

1. Virou Areia / Lenine / En Cite
2. Quero Pensar / Tom Ze / Estudando O Pagode
3. E o que me Interessa / Lenine / Labiata


Thursday, March 04, 2010

El Chicano Founder: Bobby Espinosa Passes Away



"One Tribe, Many Voices" podcast listeners might recall that I've featured the sounds of El Chicano in my tribute to Latin-Funk pioneers. Bobby Espinosa, who helped found the band, passed away on Saturday. Who can forget the haunting organ on "Viva Tirado"?