SPARK MINI de Positive Grid. Amplificador de práctica portátil alimentado por batería y altavoz Bluetooth® con integración de aplicación inteligente y sonido multidimensional grande y hermoso. ¡Lleva tu tono a cualquier parte!

New Stuff[hide]

Reportes: From The St... : Jazz Plaza ...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : Irakere 50th Annivers...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : Irakere
Resenas: Joey Altruda Presents: El Gran ...
Staff: Bill Tilford
Reportes: From The St... : Cubadisco 2...
Timbapedia: 09. Interviews -... : Carlos del Pino ...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2023 Monterey Jazz Fe...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2023 Monterey Jazz Fe...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2023 Monterey Jazz Fe...
Fotos: Tom Ehrlich : 2023 Monterey Jazz Fe...
Grupos: Tirso Duarte
Grupos: Tirso Duarte : Discography
Grupos: Charanga Habaner... : 8. El bla bla bla
Grupos: Pupy y los que S... : Tirso Duarte

Photos of the Day [hide]

cuban music, musica cubana cuban music, musica cubana cuban music, musica cubana cuban music, musica cubana
All
Cuba based rap duo, Zona Franka, blends traditional rhythms with the grit and swagger of hip-hop and rap vocal phrasings. Their clever shout choruses create instant tropical dance classics using their unique self-titled "changui con flow" style.
Authentic Latin Music Catalog for SYNC - TV & Film Music

SpanishEnglishSe llama sabroso (Ocho Music Group) 2021.03.07

CD Review - Se llama sabroso by Zona Franka 
(Ocho Music Group 2021)

Review by Mildred Gloria Aguilar Díaz with additional information by  Michelle White

Zona Franka - Se llama sabroso
(Editor's note:  the following review was originally published in the website of Radio Cadena Habana, translated here by Bill Tilford and reprinted with the author's permission)

"Changüí con flow, changüí de hoy" is a phrase that can be heard repeatedly one or the other of their songs. It is certainly a good changüí of our times that is presented by Zona Franka, a group from Guantanamo belonging to the Lilí Martínez Griñán Provincial Music Center of Guantánamo, in its catalog of excellence.

In 2014, with their independent production, Changüí de hoy, they were nominated for the Cubadisco awards in the category of Fusion Music. In this material rap was mixed with Latin American genres such as: full, bossa nova, cumbia and merengue, with the rhythmic bases of changüí, kiribá and nengón; the latter being autochthonous genera of eastern Cuba. Up to the present this has been their musical line.

As they passed through the capital of all Cubans they have participated in events and festivals such as the Arts Festival and Cuerda Viva (being nominated for the Popularity Award), among other presentations on the stages of the Pabellon Cuba, during the art fair Arte en la Rampa; the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.), and the television programs 23 y M and Talla Joven, which have given them a certain popular recognition. And I say "certain" because it is well known to all the fact that being a provincial musician, defending a genre indigenous to that region and keeping yourself living in it, can conspire against the levels of popularity and acceptance in the case of the public and diffusion by the media. But this "certain" has never been an obstacle or a barrier, since Zona Franka has a well-defined style and they know what they want. Their most recent record production, Se llama sabroso, licensed with the Ocho Music Group label, demonstrates that. It's realization cost them a lot of work and personal effort, but it is already a dream come true.

Se llama sabroso (They call it tasty) is the result of almost three years of work. When reviewing the titles and listening to each of the arrangements, it is appreciated that it is a well thought out and elaborate work. The album has ten cuts, all versions of classic Cuban songs with a very new sound. The arrangements are by Carlos Scott (vocalist) and Jhon Carlos Ayarde (tresero) under the general direction of Yasser Edén (vocalist).

In the notes that accompany the album, journalist Bill Tilford, a fervent defender and connoisseur of Cuban music, expresses: "Managing the transition from singing to rapping, and vice versa, is more difficult than it seems if it is not done with a total control of both, Zona Franka does this to perfection."

This production has several guest artists, and Omara Portuondo could be without a doubt the most surprising. Her reinterpretation of the theme "20 años" shows that her recognition as one of the great interpreters of Cuba is not in vain. At her age, and after having sung so much, especially this piece, Omara continues to surprise with her renewed spirit. And this is what I meant by the surprising thing, because that she accepted to be a participant in an album by these "guajiros" who defend the most authentic roots of our Cuban music does not confer astonishment, but rather certainty and conviction that we have an Omara from Cuba. There are also surprising interpretations in the instrumental part, such as: Onel Columbié on the bongó de monte (typical instrument in the interpretation of the changüí), Jesús Fernández on the laud and Julio Rigal on the trumpet.

The album sonically travels the American continent from North to South, with touches of jazz, full, vallenato, tango, bossa nova, without forgetting the rumba and the son, fused with changüí and rap, as is usual in this group. It is also worth highlighting, in the same way, the artwork and graphic design by David Zerquera, who gives a visual plus to the production.
Cuba is a country with ample influence on the musics of the world. Zona Franka has drawn from this amplitude,  and in the sound that results these influences are appreciated. Se llama sabroso could well have been licensed by one of our (Cuban) labels, for now, let's enjoy them on digital platforms.* 

* editor's note:  available on Amazon, Apple Music and Spotify
Enjoy the superb  quality of audio engineering in this recording as well. 


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (thanks to Michelle White)

Track List: 

# title composer arranger
1 Qué le pasa a esa mujer Juan Almeida Bosque Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde
2 El cuarto de Tula
Sergio Eulogio González Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde 
3 La Guantánamera
José Díaz Fernández Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde
4 Dos Gardenias
Isolina Carrillo Díaz Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde
5 Veinte años Mariá Teresa Vera
Guillermina Aramburu
Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde 
6 Me dirás que sabroso
Francisco Repilado Muñoz
"Compay Segundo"
Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde 
7 No me llores
Luis Martínez Griñan
"Lilí Martínez"
Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde 
8 Este amor que se muere
Juan Formell Cortina Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde
9 Ay amor
Ignacio Villa 
"Bola de Nieve"
Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde 
10 Lágrimas negras
Miguel Matamoros Carlos Scott Hernández
Jhon Carlos Ayarde 


Personnel:

Role - InstrumentName
Lead vocals Carlos Scott Hernández
Yasser Edén García
Guests  Alex Lias (track 10)
Frank Carmenate Pérez (track 3)
José Luis Fernández Taquechal (track 8)
Lina Zamora (track 9)
Omara Portuondo (track 5)
Reinier "La Tapa" Serrano Megré (track 7)
Coros Adalberto Suárez Subirot
Ailec Caramazana Díaz (track 4)
Frank Carmenate Pérez
Jhon Carlos Ayarde 
Pedro Abys García
Tres/Guitar  Jhon Carlos Ayarde
Bass (baby & electric) Ernesto Elías Olivas
Laúd Jesús Fernández Alfonso
Violin Elionay Figueroa Conty
Simón Ranguís
Piano/Keyboard  Adalberto Suárez Subirot
Congas/Timbales  Alién López Serrano
Bongo de son Agustinho Lestrade Fife
Bongo del monte Onel Columbié González
Brazilian percussion Irán Farías Sainz "El Menor"
Batá Rubén Matos Fortines
Trombones Yoandy Argudín Ferrer
Trumpets Julio Rigal
Producers  Michael Lázarus
Jody Friedman
Zona Franka
Recording engineers Carlos Scott Hernández
Orestes Águila - Estudios Abdala
DJ Jigüe - Guámpara Productions
DJ Ro - Missión Calle
Mixed and Mastered by Michael Lázarus
Art & Graphic design David Zerquera 
Graphic consultants Michael Lázarus
Alex Lias
Liner notes  Bill Tilford 


Se llama sabroso - Zona Franka

Se llama sabroso - Zona Franka

Se llama sabroso - Zona Franka

Se llama sabroso - Zona Franka

Se llama sabroso - Zona Franka

Bill Tilford - Monday, 26 July 2021, 01:37 AM