Customer Reviews

Conga Kings

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Conga Kings is a historic recording session that brings together three giants of Afro-Caribbean percussion. Candido Camerera, Carlos Patato Valdes and Giovanni Hidalgo respectively. Each master has his own unique style, yet they complement each other beautifully. The camaraderie and good vibes shine through from start to finish on this fine recording.

Producer David Chesky came up with the idea of featuring three of the greatest conga players in the world. Musical director, Ray Santos who has had a previous working relationship with all three of these outstanding musicians over the years made the project a reality.

In addition to the Conga Kings there is a "who's who" of seasoned musical veterans here to support the masters. Joe Gonzalez on bongos, Guillermo Edghill on bass, Nelson Gonzalez on tres and chorus, John Benthel on second tres, Mauricio Smith on flute, Jose Francisco Valdes on claves, Herman Olivera Jr. and Luis Rosa on chorus (or coro if you prefer.)

Candido, Patato and Giovanni play a total of ten congas! This does not include auxiliary percussion and the rest of the band. This presented special problems which resulted in a never before used recording technique. The performances were recorded live with no multi-tracking or overdubbing, fed directly into one microphone that in turn feeds into a digital recorder. This allowed the musicians the freedom to create their own natural dynamics and resulted in a unique recording (you can hear Giovanni in the left speaker, Candido in the middle and Patato on the right speaker.) Did I mention that this recording took place in a church? Yep, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in New York City! One could say this recording was blessed!

I have been fortunate enough to see all three of these Conga Kings live. Candido is known for his exciting solos and incredible showmanship, Patato is known for his unique, melodic combinations and Giovanni is a child prodigy who has grown up to be a world class drummer.

El Maestro Tito Puente left us at the age of 77. Candido is 79 and Patato is 74. In comparison, Giovanni is still a whippersnapper at the age of 36! It is gratifying to see these masters receiving the recognition they deserve while they are still with us. Long live the Conga Kings and thank you David Chesky for coming up with the concept!

Que Viva La Musica!

This great CD's title says it all: "THE CONGA KINGS!"
Cuba's old time greats Patato Valdes and Candido Camero team up
with new generation percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo on a great
CD. This trio is just superb in the best latin percussion CD
to hit the market in a long time.
It's hard to pick a favorite in this great compilation, but the
favorite old time classic "Tumbando Caña" is always compelling and sweet as Cuba's sugar cane!
To Patato,Candido, Giovanni and ensemble all I can say is:
BRAVISIMO! And I hope more CD's will be forthcoming!

Very good!!!!!!!!! I don't have the knowledge of conga but just love this CD. Don't expect fancy record arrangement and nice cover design, buy it now if you expect real "Kung Fu" and passion from Candido Camero, Carlos Valdes/Giovanni Hidalgo.

All tracks are wonderful and I like the track 7 most.

The Conga Kings is aptly titled. All three of these fine musicians are truly "Kings" of their instruments. The recording is mixed very softly, though and when the flute enters into a song, it is shrill and ear-piercing, taking away from what would otherwise be a superb recording. The drumming is melodic and beautifully rhythmic. The sound is not as slick as some of the more recent "Cuban" material, which I think is a plus. So, I gave the CD 4 stars only because of the harsh flute; the rest of the music is warm and wonderful. Next time these people record together, if there is a next time, I hope that they just leave out the flute entirely (sorry Mauricio).

These guys are the Bach, Beethoven and Mozart of conga drumming. The recording is excellent, the playing is superb, the solos are amazing.

If you don't know what rumba is all about you ain't got
no business here. You have veteran percussionist like
patato, candido and giovanni the best conga player in the
world period, they have put together a nice session here
and the tres and flauta really adds a touch to it.
This is one of the best CD's i bought in a long time.
YES the KINGS are alive and well.
RUMBA PA'GOZAR.