Chacho Ramirez, Jorge Jimenez, Eldad Zvulun, Gary Damanti, Phil Palombi
Influences
Sounds Like
About Metro Tang
Definition: Metro Informal adj. (2) (mét-ro) metropolitan; a metropolitan area.
Tang (noun) (1) a distinctive quality that adds spice; (2) a sharp flavor, taste or odor, as in orange juice; (3) a loud ringing sound, a twang; (4) an orange drink made from a powder which Apollo 11 astronauts took into space. -------- About the Songs ---- Four years ago, I began experimenting with traditional African rhythms and writing from the bottom up, starting with bass lines and writing the melodies last. I created my own drumset parts to complement the African rhythms and to keep the integrity of the original rhythms. For example, in Blues 4 Y’All, the source was kotedjuga, a rhythm from Mali, which I mixed into a drumset part while keeping the character of the traditional rhythm. In Lights Out, a sweet swinging New Orleans feel has a bridge that uses a traditional Ekang rhythm, shifting meters from 9 to 7. In Funky Voyage, my inspiration came from a Nigerian rhythm, which I altered and mixed with a typical Latin groove. In I’m Moanin’ 2, the song begins with a rhythm from Cameroon called Bikutsi. Coco Loco, Full Moon in Philly, and Melba’s Mambo retain a more traditional Latin jazz feel, with some twists and turns of their own. Who’s Smoking? is a composition by Cuban composer Paquito d’Rivera, who sets the standard for writing and playing in many styles. Here I was able to play four different Brazilian rhythms in one song: baío, partito alto, 6/8, and samba.
.. CDBABY LINK for METROTANG: Lights Out -->
Chacho Ramirez (composer and drummer), of Cuban/Puerto Rican heritage, has worked with such artists as Ahmad Jamal and Babatunde Olatunji (Drums of Passion), and is currently working with Hal Galper on a new project. Chacho recently recorded the new CD, “New York Salsa” with Richie Vitale’s Orquesta Universal and works regularly with Jorge Jimenez’s Sabor a Conga. --------- Jorge Jimenez (congas, bongos and timbales) - Originally from Ecuador, Jorge came to New York and began playing congas in 1982, soon working with Latin greats Charlie Palmieri, Johnny Pacheco, Orquesta Broadway, and Pete El Conde Rodriguez. His band Sabor a Conga is a top salsa group performing frequently in Manhattan. ------------ Gary Damanti (guitar), from New Jersey, has worked with some of Doo-Wops bigger acts such the Duprees, the Tokens, and the Classics 4, amongst numerous others. ------------ Eldad Zvulun (piano) came to the U.S. from Israel in 2001 under the auspices of the International Association of Jazz Educators, led by Arnie Laurence. He currently works in New York City, playing in clubs likes Smalls and writing arrangements for Paquito d'Rivera. --------- Phil Palombi (bass) came from Ohio and is known for his upright bass work with Curtis Steigers, the Vanguard Orchestra, and as bassist in the trio, TriFi. On this CD we feature his electric bass expertise.
The Ecuadorian Cosulate in NYC in the Bicentenary celebrations, November 3 at Nuyorican Poets Café presents: Gino Castillo latin jazz from Ecuador. 236 East 3rd St Btw Ave B & C Reverend Pedro Pietri Way John Benítez bass Zaccai Curtis piano Amaury Acosta drums Lucas Pino sax, flute http://www.ginocastillo.com
Hi Chacho - I just wanted to stop by to say hi and to listen to more of your music. Great tunes...and the grooves - wow! Hopefully I'll see one of your shows - if you see Gary tell him Mike says 'hi!'....talk to ya!
