Papo Pepin Al Natural - Resena de audio grabacion

(Faisan Records)

A native of Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, Juan "Papo" Pepin started banging on the conga drama at age two under the tutorial of his father Tony (the first bongosero to play with a young Tito Puente). By the age of fifteen, Papo had already studied the piano, bass, vibes and trumpet at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. His resume spans over three decades of legendary performances, from Machito and Tito Puente to Marc Anthony and India. His list of recording credits includes the names of Bobby Valentin, Charlie Palmieri, Louie Ramirez, Willie Rosario, Willie Colon and Roberto Roena, for starters. But believe it or not, this is his first production under his name. Al Natural profiles the talents of this veteran percussionist throughout nine tracks of pure Afro-Caribbean fire-breathing compositions. From the traditional sounds of the Puerto Rican bomba on the opening track Cuembe, to the exotic rhythms of the Cuban rumba, son montuno and guaguanco of La Rumba, El Guardia Con El Tolete, and Ifa, Pepin illuminates all the tracks of this disc with a peerless command of the drums, plus superior arrangements. Carlos El Grande leads the vocals, with background vocals provided by Aris Martinez and Papo Pepin.

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