In all the years that the great percussionist José Luis "Changuito" Quintana recorded with Cuba's premier group Los Van Van, one had to strain their ears to hear this master's playing on that group's LPs (and later CDs). It wasn't until a friend of mine stood next to Changuito on stage with a recording walkman that I was able to finally hear the remarkable intricacies of his playing. Well, folks, at long last everyone can now clearly hear the timbales and drum set played by Changuito, probably the most influential band percussionist of an entire generation.

Ritmo y Candela was recorded in San Francisco in late 1994 when Changuito was traveling around the U.S. giving demonstrations, classes and performances. With only a small window of time available, producers Greg Landau and Robert Leaver were able to lay down enough initial tracks to provide a foundation for a full-length CD. Local San Francisco Bay Area musicians came into the studio later to complete the songs. What's incredible is that it's nearly impossible to tell which tracks were done first by listening to this recording. The entire work has a complete, albeit uncommon, sound.

Obviously the approach here is one of a loose descarga. All the better though to allow the three percussion virtuosos an opportunity to stretch-out. Perhaps I'm greedy, but I could have heard still longer solos by Changuito and Orestes.

Carlos "Patato" Valdes played with some of Cuba's best dance bands such as Sonora Matancero and Conjunto Casino. He was also one of the small handful of Cuban percussionists who came to this country in the 1950s. Many congueros growing up in the United States studied and emulated his style of playing. Patato's most important contribution to the art of conga drumming was his use of multiple drums (as many as five), meticulously tuned, and used in a role similar to that of the bass. This melodic approach revolutionized conga drum playing. Patato's sparse older sounding style of improvising is a striking contrast to the flashy roles of Changuito's and Orestes' solos.

Orestes Vilató is one of the finest timbaleros residing in the U.S. today. His resume includes stints with Ray Barretto, Fania All-Stars, Santana, Cachao, John Santos' Machete Ensemble and his own Bay Area-based Los Kimbos. This CD exposes Orestes' mastery like few other recordings.

Ritmo y Candela has a remarkable sound that could appeal to a wide variety of world music listeners. This is quite an accomplishment, considering that it also will appeal to hard-core Afro-Cuban music fans. The first song, "San Francisco Tiene Su Propio Son," is a typical son featuring the lead vocals of the Bay Area's own Fito Reinoso. "Guiro Para Ogun" is a traditional piece in honor of the orisha Ogun. "Calipso en las Nubes" is a calypso-songo fusion featuring Changuito on traps and the steel drum played by Jeff Narell (Andy's brother). Holding together the entire recording is the always top-notch piano playing of Rebeca Mauléon.

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