Search - Don Gonzalo Fernandez :: Repicao!

An unknown MASTERPIECE with WONDERFUL musicianship, a GREAT/

S. | 06/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1982 recording by the late Cuban Flutist Gonzálo Fernández for TOBOGA Records (a division of Roberto Torres's SAR label) is a WONDERFUL Charanga recording with a rather experimental, VERY instrumental and HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL Side A, and a classic style of Charanga music on Side B.

Apart from focusing on the musicians and solos, this recording also focuses on the rhythmic and danceable aspect of the music, making it a FINE album for dancing too.

Another thing worth mentioning here is that the songs are not old famous tunes we've heard many times before, but mostly new songs that still sound as FRESH today as they did back in 1982!...











The title-track Repicao (14.40 MINS!...) which begins with a short Timbale introduction by Nicky Marrero, is an OUTSTANDING Charanga-Jam-Session tune that not only features this album's protagonist Gonzálo Fernández surprisingly handling the vocals, but also many AWESOME musical passages defined by GREAT individual solos, AWESOME breaks, 5 to 6 different chorus variations and changes of Violin background arrangements that give us SERIOUS Cha-onda licks towards the end!...

After the 1st two chorus variations with "Clava tu clavo Zapatéro" and "Caramélo a kilo", this F-U-L-L package features double Electric-violin solos, SUPERB Timbale solos AND reprises by Nicky Marrero, VERY WELL integrated Trombone arrangements joining in with the Batá-drums for GREAT interplays between Flute and Trombone solos before the volume starts gradually going down for Marrero to close down the track on Timbales again!...

This is an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT and INTENSE instrumental and experimental tune where EVERYTHING works to PERFECTION!...







Llanúras Africánas (2:52 mins) is a VERY NICE instrumental tune in the typical Charanga rhythm obviously, featuring a WONDERFUL MELODIC musicality that will definitely transport your mind back to the African plains and the Caribbean!

This soft mid-tempo tune features NICE "Amazonian" Flutes arrangements with a Harpscord and a Guitar following up in the background before the Montúno on Piano comes in with the strings for Gonzálo Fernández to start soloing his way through on Flute in between the choruses.

This original, unique, and very different style of tune is a musical mixture MADE IN HEAVEN!...

ANOTHER of my favourites from the album!...

Unfortunately, the people in charge decided to gradually turn the volume down to finish the tune off!...







Solo Mi Madre Querída [Only my dear mother] which is Side B's opener (5:56 mins) is a melancholic/pretty tune about the importance of a mother, reminding us which of ALL women is the one who is really going to cry if anything bad was to happen to us...

Otherwise, this tune begins with a NICE melody in the beginning, and then switches to a more rhythmical style of tune in the 2nd part with FINE violin background arrangements backing up the Flute and the FINE choruses saying around the end: ` may god give you a lot of life, even if takes it away from me'...

A FINE classic Charanga tune very unique within this album's distinctive style, and PERFECT for mother's day!...







Cartagéna (5:44 mins) is an old song written by the very late Cuban composer Ramón Cabrera, who wrote several songs for Beny Moré in the 1940's-50's...

The tune talks about ALL the beauties of the Colombian city of Cartagéna, and has a WONDERFULLY MUSICAL and melodic 1st part that not only gets in Orquesta Aragón territories in terms of melody and chorus styles, but that also PROPERLY challenges them giving them a GOOD run for their money!...

This LOVELY tune then features in the 2nd part a VERY inspired Flute performance, and a VERY NICE guitar solo both backed up by the mellow Violin background arrangements along with some chorus variations afterwards.

Basically, an OUTSTANDING and slower type of tune which is ANOTHER of my BIG favourites here!...







Canción A Un Indivíduo [Song for an individual] (5:49 mins) is a message for the struggling individuals who somehow decide to risk their lives by opting for the bad path of street life to be very careful as it's a very harsh/dangerous road to go for...

Otherwise, this tune features a FINE rhythmical musicality all the way through, with two Breaks leading to changes of violin background arrangements along with two different chorus variations!...

ANOTHER INTENSE tune that keeps the interest going ALL THE WAY through with ANOTHER INSPIRED Flute performance!...











Total Play-time: 35.01 mins. GREAT value for money! You could afford to not like only 1 tune, as long as it's not the BRILLIANT title-track, which it SURELY WON'T BE!...







As if it wasn't enough, sound quality is ABSOLUTELY FINE too!...





G-E-T I-T!!!







(In case you're STILL wondering, check out the different sound-clips available in mercadodemusica for a better overall idea of how the songs sound like!)









Musicians (OMMITED FROM ORIGINAL LP RELEASE!!!):



Gonzálo Fernández: Flute (Songs 1 & 2), Lead Vocals, Producer, Musical Direction, Arrangements, and Mixing.

Mauricio Smith: Alto Flute (Song 2).

Paquíto D'Rivera: Flute (Songs 3, 4, and 5)

Isídro Infánte: Piano

Paquíto Pastór: Piano & Harpscord

Sammy Velázquez: 12-String Guitar

Luis Rodríguez: Cuatro-guitar

Andy González: Bass

Nicky Marrero: Timbales

José `Joe' Grajáles: Conga-drums

Angel `Lito' Pérez: Conga-drums

Daniel Ponce: Percussion & Batá-drums

José `Joseíto' Rodrigues: Trombone

Ronny Baro: Chorus, Güiro (Gourd-scraper), Harpscord

Néstor Sánchez: Chorus

Rafael `Felo' Barrio: Chorus

Eddie Drennon: Violin

Alfredo Triff: Violin



"