by Joe Barrett
Louie Vega
As bad as popular music is stinking up the airwaves of TV and radio these days, it can be hard to select a full album (I can still say album, right?) that can be considered a classic. Whether the genre is rock, rap, R&B, jazz, country or any other music sub-genre, very few artists seem capable of putting together a complete artistic statement where the groove resonates like a sonic blast to the acolytes that follow their movement.
So when one finally does come screaming at us, it becomes necessary for us to share it, talk about it, recommend it, hold on to it, or in our hearts and minds label it “classic” and as the years go by, we revisit it. Let’s go into the way-back machine to 2006 and revisit the Louie Vega – Luisito Qunitero classic Percussion Maddness
Luisito Quintero
Hitting stores, iTunes, clubs, lounges and all other “hipster” hot spots in late spring 2006, Vega and Quintero let loose an artistic gumbo of African-Latin-Soul-House music that had feet tappin’ and hips shakin’ from NY to Atlanta; Chicago to L.A.; Detroit to Miami and every other spot where people knew how to get their groove on.
Combining Louie’s skills as a DJ/Producer and Luisito’s skills as a master timbalero, their vision brought together the many related elements of their musical influences as well as their connected Afro-Latin ancestry.
While tunes like M’Bongi, Oshagriña and the Fela Kuti inspired Gbagada, Gbagada, Gbogodo speak to Africa, Son Montuno, Four Beat Mambo, Acid and Tumbao are calling out to their Latino roots. And even still you have the lounge and dance floor inspired EOL Intro (Clap Your Hands), Our Love and Aquilas Coisas Todas which combine House Music with Latin and African elements. Rounding out the album are Qunitero’s Jam, which blazes of a tribute to Luisito’s dynamic timbale playing and also has the feel of the ‘60s Latin soul of Fania Records and Love Remains The Same, a nice vocal tune with a neo-soul spirit to it.
A classic anything happens organically. Someone can set out to try and make a classic, whether it’s a car, movie, book, art or music…but in the end it’s the people who follow and take a hold that will decide what warrants a “classic” designation. Percussion Maddness has fit that mold. Since it’s initial release in May 2006, people continue to reference it as one of their favorites of recent years. People still take the opportunity to turn others on to its groove.
The album is so nice, it was made twice with the release of Percussin Maddness: Revisited, which includes remixes of the original tracks and a few new gems thrown in for good measure. If you haven’t checked out the album, do so. If you have it, give it another spin. If you dig it, find someone who hasn’t heard it and turn them on to it. Get that feeling of sharing a dynamic piece of work that you know is….well, classic.
To learn more about Joe, visit his Facebook page.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those
of the author and should not be understood to be shared by Being Latino, Inc.
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