Fredy Omar con su Banda – Latin Party! in New Orleans

Description

Release Date:  2000

Label:  Mardi Gras Records

Track List

1. La Pelota
2. Chan Chan
3. El Carabine
4. La Negra Tomasa
5. La Reina del Carnaval
6. La Vampirita
7. Mardi Gras Mambo featuring Kipori Woods
8. El Manisero/The Peanut Vendor featuring Charmaine Neville
9. Cielito Lindo
10. La Piragua
11. Carnaval Conga
12. Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras

Personnel

• Fredy Omar – vocals
• Jeff Albert – trombone
• Rachel Cook – background vocals
• Ralph Gipson – piano, background vocals
• Rafael Mateo – guira
• Matt Rhody – violin
• Michael Skinkus – bongos, campana, claves, guira, quinto, tamboura
• Jeff Sutton – trumpet

Notes

Although the zydeco and Cajun music of rural Louisiana is what first comes to mind (somewhat mistakenly) for most outsiders when they think of New Orleans music, the true sound of the city has always had an enormous dollop of Latin influences. Honduran-born bandleader Fredy Omar understands the confusion of those unfamiliar with the distinction between “Louisiana music” and “New Orleans music,” and even helps the newbies out a bit at times by incorporating zydeco elements into his songs. But for his second album, 2001’s scorching Latin Party! In New Orleans, Omar and his band go strictly Latin, with marvelous results. With an exciting set list of cumbias, merengues, salsas, and even a good old-fashioned cha cha, the album is a non-stop Latin groove fiesta, ranging from classics like “Cielito Lindo” and “El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor)” to a handful of Omar originals. Highly recommended for fans of Latin dance music.