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A conguero has to strive to conquer these elements if you want to make a difference. These elements can be achived after many years of dedication, listening to music and going after the roots.
Congueros masters of these elements, in my opinion, you have to start with Mongo. I think Mongo wrote the book when it comes to this. Another mazacotero was Tommy Lopez with Palmieri's band, most of the time he just used one conga, but what a sound, mucho sabor. Papo Pepin, mucho afinque, very tasty. Ray Barretto, heavy hitter, marcha gorda, great jazz feel. Johnny Dandy Rodriguez and Eddie Montalvo, very tasty marchas, mucho afinque. Francisco Aguabella, heavy hitter.
In todays world you have the speed, but if there is no afinque then you're not saying anything. Giovanni leads the pack, he has all the requirements, the most speed but also the most afinque.Anga Diaz and Paoli Mejias also right there, Luis Conte, I consider him very knowledgable, good afinque, not as fast as the other two. Roberto Vizcaino, very tasty, excellent technique.
Then you have your melodic players. Tata Guines, the most copied conguero in the world, the best technique, very clean and tasty, but not the hard hitting afinque that Mongo had. Patato Valdes, Candido and Armando great melodic players, not hardhitters.
In my opinion afinque, sabor and mazacote are key elements that a conguero must have, speed is nice but takes a back seat to the other three.
I know that are a lot of names I missed, I do not want to offend anyone, but these are the ones that come to mind.

Saludos,

Dario

Well said. I agree with your post 100 percent, Dario. To me speed is way over-rated. I compare playing all this super-fast licks to Talking A Lot And Saying Nothing.

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I agree Omelenko!!
Speed is important and it's a natural way to drive your groove when you are hot and whit inspiration,but speed for speed is boring and esteril,you cant stand too long wathing some super speed solo.When I watch Tata Guiness,the intensity and soul he put in his solos are the oposite of those empty higher speed solos.You dont need to do too much,just do it whit all you heart and soul and everithig fits fine.

Best regards

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[quote="Omelenko1"]In todays world you have the speed, but if there is no afinque then you're not saying anything.


Dario,agreed, it is better to hablar (speak) with the instrument than making a solo that has no sense. Un solo hablaito has more afinque and soul. I seen some Bongó solos that sound like a Timbal Solo.

To illustrate the meaning of "afinque, sabor y mazacote", you have the refer to various rhythm teams that have existed throughout Latin music history. These teams have left a trademark in what these 3 ingredients are all about and are the yardstick the serious percussionist strives for.

1- The rhythm team of Tito, Mongo, Bobo (TI MON BO). Probably the tightest section ever. Afinque total.
2- Tata, Barretico, Yeyito. As tight as #1. Innovators. We all copied them in the Cachao descargas. Yeyito, probably the tastiest bongocero in history.
3- Ray Barretto, Orestes, Dandy Rodriguez. The tightes rhythm section in Salsa in the 70's. Cocinando Suave.
4- Oquendo, Tommy Lopez. Manny will play both, timbales and bongo. Simple marcha with heavy afinque and mazacote. La Perfecta, my favorite.
5- Peraza, Vilato, Rekow. Santana's best rhythm section. Very tight.
6- Giovanni, Carrillo, Cachete. The pride of PR. Revolutionaries of Batacumbele.
7- El Niño Alfonso, Enrique Pla, Oscar Valdes. Irakere's sound machine. Tremendo amarre.

All these rhythm teams displayed what "sabrosura" en los cueros is all about. CONVERSA!!!!!

Dario

I just finished listening to “Ritmos Y Cantos Callejeros” (Cortijo/Kako Y Sus Tambores). Bass, drums and vocals, that’s it. No overplaying or showboating, swings like hell very tasty and in the pocket.

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