 Jose Conde has recorded his second all original cd entitled (r)Evolucion. Conde wrote and arranged 10 highly original songs with influences ranging from Louisiana Funk to Haitian Compas, NY salsa dura to Cuban son and timba. This ambitious world Latin/Cuban roots album was recorded between May and July at Brooklyn Studio in NY and has been produced independently by Grammy winning producer Aaron Levinson of Libertad Records (Spanish Harlem Orchestra w/ Ruben Blades, Philadelphia Experiment) and Conde. The record was recorded completely in the analog domain and is currently awaiting mastering by Arf Digital (Bebo and Cigala) The record includes a powerhouse crew of special guests including funk legend and original Meters drummer Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, 88 year old trombone legend Generoso Jimenez and Latin all stars Jimmy Bosch on Trombone, Pedro Martinez (Yerba Buena) on coros, Jazz songstress Elin (Blue Toucan Music), tres guitarist Benjamin Lapidus (Sonido Isleño, Larry Harlow), Guitarist Aquiles Baez (Calle 54), pianist and musical director Gonzalo Grau (Timba Loca, Ralph Irizzary) etc. The lineup of Conde’s standout Ola Fresca (Fresh Wave) bandm which recorded includes guitarist Juancho Herrera (Nestor Torres), Bassist Jorge Bringas (Omara Portuondo, Albita), multi percussionist Carlos “GoGo” Gomez (Arturo Sandoval, Conjunto Cespedes), Roman Diaz Conga (Yoruba Andavo), Chillean Pianist Pablo Vergara, young Cuban Timbalero Marvin Diz, Trumpetists Steve Gluzband (Ray Barreto, Tito Puente) and Albert Leusink , Saxaphonist and flutist Onel Mulet (Albita, Celia Cruz), and trombonist Rafi Malkiel (Toto la Momposina,Folklore Urbano).
The US born, Miami raised, Cuban American Conde, clothes his potent arsenal of lyrical poetry and “picardia” wit, charm, and social and environmental commentary, with a smoothe blend of traditional pan Latin rhythms, funk, jazz, and salsa, all the while retaining the traditional spirit of Cuban son. The new album will be a followup to the critically acclaimed debut, now distributed by Pimienta/Universal under the re-release title "Ay! Que Rico...seconds" with 3 bonus tracks. Their debut album has been described as “superb” (descarga.com),praised as “innovative, highly danceable, pleasantly cerebral” (Ed Morales, New York Newsday), and the songs “sung by Conde with the natural grace of the best soneros with a touch of contemporary elegance” (Miguel Sirgado, El Nuevo Herald). “Using a tool palate full of Afro-Cuban styles – son, changui, songo-funk, mambo, and timba – sautéed with a modern twist on a low, steady flame, Conde provides atmosphere and spice with a cool, unwavering intelligence and vision” (descarga.com) |
