Puente opens with an updated version of his “Para los Rumberos” track, slowing the original blistering fast rumba abierta tempo of the 1955 version to a respectable mambo tempo. Its glorious war chant: “Vamos rumbero, que la rumba ya va empezar," announces that it is time to hit the dance floor. A skilled arranger, Puente builds the tension with a short phrase in the piano and bass then augments it with the horns repeating it in layers. It finally explodes with a short timbale solo. “Niña y Señora” is based on an old Cuban rumba-guaguancó that is slowed slightly to a mambo/guaracha tempo. Listen to the close-knit vocal harmony of Meñique, Santos Colón and Yayo El Indio throughout the album, vocalese at its best. Meanwhile, Puente’s “Guayaba” is classic cha-cha-cha. Chico O’Farill’s arrangement of “Ya No Me Quieres” displays Puente’s artistry on vibes as he expresses himself melodically on this classic bolero. The entire range of genres and rhythms played throughout highlights Puente’s mastery of instruments and Afro-Cuban music.
Out on April 7, 2023, and available for pre-order now, the new edition of Para Los Rumberos, was cut all-analog from the original tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio and pressed on 180-gram audiophile quality black vinyl in a single-pocket gatefold tip-on jacket. A Green Guava Vinyl variant will be available exclusively on our store. The album will also be released in hi-res digital for the first time, including 192/24 and 96/24 formats.
Para Los Rumberos tracklist (vinyl):
SIDE A
- Para los Rumberos
- Niña y Señora
- Guayaba
- Ya No Me Quieres
- Días en el Palladium
SIDE B
- Salsa y Sabor
- China
- Batuka
- Contenoso
- El Catire
*Digital version mirrors the vinyl tracklist
