| FRANCISCO
AGUABELLA "AGUA DE CUBA"
CuBop
would like to no jte that our original printing of this title
(in 1999) was unfortunately missing two vital musicians' credits:
pianist Donald Vega and bassist Eddie Resto. Our sincerest apologies
to these two fine musicians. All issues of this album released
2000 and alter include the full, accurate line-up.
EXCERPT FROM LINER NOTES BY JOSÉ RIZO:
"Francisco [Aguabella] is one of the world's few high priests
of religious Afro-Cuban drumming. The roots of this drumming come
from the Yoruba of West Africa. When West African slaves were
brought to Cuba, they were allowed to continue to practive their
religious ceremonies because they secretly hid their Yoruba gods
by associating each to an individual Catholic saint. The drum
has always been Francisco's medium to worship and communicate
with his beloved patron saint, Santa Barbara (Changó),
the Yoruba god of fire, thunder, and lightning. Both Francisco
and Mongo Santamaria frequently wear red when they perform because
this color is associated with Santa Barbara (Changó).
"Francisco pioneered the use of the sacred 'batá'
drum (double-headed conga drum) in ther forms of music. The batá
was the first ceremonial drum that Francisco learned to play as
a youth. His influence is undeniable on the sound of today's top
Latin jazz bands, especially those from Cuba. He has served as
an essential session musician on recordings by Tito Puente, Peggy
Lee, Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Palmieri, and Cachao, among others.
In 1992 he received the "National Heritage Fellowship Award"
for preserving the rich cultural Afro-Cuban tradition within the
United States.
"Agua de Cuba" marks his fourth recording as a Latin
jazz bandleader. The first three were "Dance the Latin Way"
(Fantasy, 1962); "Hitting Hard" (Epsilon, 1977, re-released
by CuBop, 1999); and "H2O" (Olm, 1996, re-released by
CuBop, 1999). "Dance the Latin Way" has recently been
re-released complete as part of "Ay Que Rico!" (Fantasy,
1993).
Poncho Sanchez advises, 'You really should not miss an opportunity
to see this living legend perform live. He's truly one of the
master congueros of our time.' For me, it is an honor to call
him my friend. With Francisco Aguabella you get powerful, exciting
straigh-ahead Latin jazz, and rich, authentic Afro-Cuban tradition—you
get the real deal."
- José Rizo, KLON Radio (Long Beach, CA)
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