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Louie Vega Presents: Percussion Madness Revisited: Luisito Quintero
Originally hooking up during the live tour for the NuYorican Soul project, Louie Vega and Luisito Quintero eventually went on to cement their musical talents with the Elements of Life project. It was during this time that Vega decided that he wanted to bring Quintero’s talents to the forefront of the music with Quintero as the lead player. This was the stunning album, released in 2006 that eventually led to where we are now, Percussion Madness Revisited, with Louie Vega giving everything the once over with his immense production skills.Born in Venezuela, Luisito was encouraged to take up timbales by his father who was a respected percussionist in his native homeland. Luisito soon became part of the Orquesta Simfonica De Venezuela where he developed his technique and style that would later gain him worldwide recognition working along side such legends as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, George Benson and Herbie Hancock.
Louie Vega really needs no introduction, as one half of Masters At Work, NuYorican Soul and rounding things off nicely with his own project, Elements Of Life, Vega has been ever present in what you can only really group together as the dance music scene of the past few decades...
Ok so history lesson over, lets get back to the music. Is this actually any good and did it need remixing in the first place? The short answer is yes, its great. Let me tell you why.
Taking all the original elements, Louie Vega has managed give some extra kick to the tracks, from the opening beats of ’Music for Gong Gong’ where he twists the track into some seriously unexpected, but gratefully received Afro-Beat goodness, all the way through to his own productions which did not appear on the initial album. There is definitely something new and original happening here. There are also some respectful nods to the past masters and peers with reworkings of tracks by Fela Kuti (Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo, Gbogodo) which is given a new lease of life by the deep vocal and guitar provided by Francis Mbappe and even Nicola Conte pops up on the album with his remix of the track, 'Your Love'.
The real standout track on the whole album for me is Louie Vega’s Elements of Life reworking of 'Quintero’s Jam'. Any fans of NuYorican Soul should head straight for this one, an amazing spiritual bit of Latin Jazz that even the most chin stroking of us couldn’t slag off. For years I was hoping for another NuYorican Soul album and have eventually come to realise that it isn't going to happen, I have however found a great substitute for what to listen to next. This is an amazing album, do yourself a favour, it's released on the 15th October through BBE music. Buy it and get some aural sunshine into your lives during the winter months.
Album review by Hoods
Written: 13th Sep, 07
Read: 1409 times
