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Posted: **Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:19 pm**

Hey All,

I realize the last time a similar topic of the "marriage" between cuban folklore and another type of music was brought up it turned out to be a hot button for some folks...

This album has been out for a while now, but for those of you that have not heard it before I thought you might be interested... Michael Spiro is one of many percussionists on this album. Bobi Cespedes

I own a copy of it and personally think it is a beautiful mix of folklore with an R&B twist... Similar to the type of music I would like to fuze some day in the future...

Enjoy.
Ivan

Posted: **Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:41 pm**

Shout out to Ivan - I DID listen to this release and I DO like most of it. There is, has been, and always WILL be a lot of innovation and various mixing happening in Cuban music, like it or not. How do you think that SON, MAMBO, RUMBA, MOZAMBIQUE, actually developed?????? Even the most stringently conservative bata ensemble plays NOTHING like they do in Africa!!! Change is a HUGE part of human social development, quite inevitable, but for some STRANGE reasons, many still cling to a sort of static view of African/Diasporan culture. Trust me change is happening on BOTH sides of the Atlantic, and what unites Cuba with Spain and Africa IS this type of change...........
Now not that all change is GOOD!! I still dispise 95% of ALL Rap music and invite Ivan's critics to air their ire my way instead!!

Saludos,

Berimbau
(aka crusty viejo)

Posted: **Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:54 pm**

A few years ago while Conjunto Cespedes was out here, I had the opportunity to spend a few days with musicians from the group and also with Bobi, we spoke of many things related to her family's culture and musical journey, amongst that this project was discussed. Great to see it has become a reality for her.

Her voice is ageless. Respect. :cool:

Which reminds me, going to go watch that video I taped while they were out here!

Great stuff...
Their version of "Que Viva' Chango" gives me goosebumps.
Ache pa ti Bobi.

Posted: **Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:11 pm**

Yes, she is very good people... She comes up to Seattle very often - I have been studying Bata with one of her godchildren for a while now...

Bobbi has a lot of history, bro... A very knowledgable woman, especially in her culture...

This past May she was here for my friend's Ocha B-Day - we just did a guiro. There was about 50 plus people in the house and Carlos Aldamas playing conga and Bobbi singing was a very humbling experience for me...

Oye, don't forget to send me the DVD and CD... :p I have been anxiously waiting for some time now... :;):

If you don't already have it, I can send you a copy of Bobbi's CD and if it's cool the recording of the guiro...

Ivan

Edited By Ivan on 1120054316

congaplace.com

Bobbi Cespides - Traditional mixed with R&B