Founded by Havana-born bassist and vocalist Ignacio Piniero in 1927, Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piniero have played an important role in Cuba’s music for more than seven decades. Pioneers of Son, a rhythmic blend of African and Cuban music that evolved into Salsa, the Mambo, and Latin jazz, the group was the first Son band to incorporate trumpet as a lead instrument.
Attracting global recognition with their performance at the World Exposition in Seville in 1928, Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piniero were, reportedly, the first band to mention “salsa” in a song, “Echale Salsita,” recorded in 1933.
The song, composed by Piniero, was adapted by George Gershwin for the opening theme of his “Cuban Overture.” Since Piniero’s death in 1968, following 41 years at the band’s helm, Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piniero has been directed by a series of leaders. Guitarist and composer Rafael Ortiz, who took over after Piniero’s death, bequeathed the position to lead singer Carlos Embale in 1982. Leaving the band due to illness in 1998, Embale’s leadership was inherited by guitarist Richard Aymee Castro. Remaining true to their original musical roots, Septeto Nacional De Ignacio Piniero continue to serve a dance-inspiring mix of montano, merengue, bolero, rumba, and cha cha cha. (by Craig Harris)
And this album was recorded in 1999. the seventieth aniversary of its foundation by Ignacio Pineiro in 1927 !
This is a must have for the cuban son-afficionados. It’s solid, great music, in the classical form, that’ll keep you entertained for hours. I have three or four of CDs like this and put them on a loop during the day, haven’t gotten bored of it yet 🙂 If you like those, check out Orgullos de los Soneros, and the Israel Lopez Cachao Descargas CD. As well as the Estrellas de Areitos, which is a bit more coarse but still so much closer to the real stuff that some of what the music industry’s been trying to promote after the BVSC hype (which was good nevertheless to promote the style and introduce listeners to this kind of music – for which I am very graceful). (Herve Bronnimann)
This is a star-studded album, which will remain on the best selling lists for a long time. Guests include “tresero-magnifico” Pancho Amat, composer/pianist Gonzalo”Rubalcaba”,veteran percussionist “Tata”Guines,rookie singer Bertha Portuondo, veteran sonero Pio Leyva and to increase the historical importance and value of this CD, the last recordings of cuba’s guarachera singer Caridad Cuervo, who unfortunately died right after these recording sessions. All I can say is that by listening to these recordings by the all new Septeto Nacional, I know the great tradition of excellence of this group will continue under its new administration. Excellent job by “Network”. (luis de quesada)
In the rich flow of wonderful Cuban music reaching our part of the world, this is a true pearl. As the already worldfameous recordings from World Circuit this recording from Network deserves the same world fame. With legends in the son traditions such as Pin Leyva, Francisco Loenel Rodriquez “Pancho Amat”, Guillermo Gonzalez Camejo “Rubalcaba” and the percussion highpriest of Cuba ,Tata Günes, the listener will be merged into the true magic of African-Cuban music tradition. (Susan Rahim)
Personnel:
Ignacio Esteban Aymme Castro ‘Richard’ (guitar, vocals)
Fernando Carlos Sánchez Chavez (trumpet)
Enrique Abdon Collazo (tres)
Francisco David Oropesa Fernández (percussion)
Apolinar Orlando Aguiar Hernandez (vocals)
Eugenio Rodriguez ‘Raspa’ (vocals, claves, maracas)
Bárbaro Sánchez Illa (bass)
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Pancho Amat (tres)
Tata Güines (percussion)
González ‘Rubalcaba’ (piano)
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vocals:
Pío Leyva – Bertha Portuondo – Caridad Cuervo
Tracklist:
01. Llora Como Llore (Ramirez) 3.50
02. Oye Como Suena (Leyva) 4.48
03. Sazonabdi (Martínez) 3.34
04. No Jeges con los Santos (Piñeiro) 4.33
05. Arrolla Cubano (Vera) 4.47
06. La Vida Es Una Semana (Ortiz/Ginoris) 4.58
07. La Mulata del Cha Cha Cha (Landa) 5.11
08. Coco Mai Mai (Piñeiro) 3.56
09. Se Te Olvido la Sal (Mena) 4.29
10. Dulce Habanera (Ortiz) 4.06
11. El Mujeriego (Rodriguez) 4.13
12. Alma Rumbera (Blanco) 4.57
13. Uno, Dos y Tres (Ortiz) 3.26
14. Quimera (Daza) 3.28
15. Tu Mi Afinidad (Piñeiro) 3.56
Ignacio Piñeiro Martínez (May 21, 1888 – March 12, 1969)
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