Boston-based sensation Los Sugar Kings, celebrate the release of their debut CD “LSK” (pennyCo Label) in concert Wednesday, June 25 at Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St., Davis Sq., Sommerville. Show time is at 9PM; tickets are $10.00 at the door and include CD with price of admission. Please call (617) 776-2004 for tickets and information.
The music of Los Sugar Kings presents a very new, highly danceable, and infectious sound that borrows from the same rhythmic foundations of the Buena Vista Social club sensation and pays homage to the traditions of Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa, and Rumba-Flamenca.
The 15 tracks on “LSK” divine an otherworldly combination of Afro-Cuban rhythms and improvisation that displays the vast breadth and depth of the musicians who form the core of Los Sugar Kings: Patino Vazquez (vocals, tres, guitars) Mikael Mersha (vocals, contrabass, electric bass), Daniel Abreu (saxophone, piano, vocals) Benny Benson (drums, percussion, vocals) together have honed their sound through years of captivating stage performance. One of LSK’s great strengths, displayed to perfection here, is the groups’ ability to combine their diverse backgrounds into intriguing, organic forms punctuated by artful melody and tight vocal harmony. Always mindful of the past, LSK cooks up an extensive sonic glossary of Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa, Rumba-Flamenca and Afro-Caribbean rhythms: cha-cha, rumba, boogaloo, bolero, meringue, jamba, cumbia y salsa, bomba, and songo. What’s more, adding to the excitement are special guest performances by Master Congueros Miguel Beato and Yahuba as well as Garret Savluk (trumpet) and Henley Douglas, Jr., (tenor sax) of the renowned Boston Horns.
With tasty original tunes with names like Fuego Dulce, El Valle, Mondo Sweetie Mambo, Van Van, Como Creo, No Hagas Caso, Nueva Mezcla one can only expect excitement in this music. From note one the listener is taken on a unique contemporary Afro-Cuban fantasy. Fuego Dulce, El Valle, and Nueva Mezcla epitomize the fiery masterful musicianship all group members posses. Likely one of the most emotive tracks, Lo Siento features masterful flamenco guitar pulsations propelled by undulating Latin percussion, has it beginnings as a message Patino wrote to his deceased father and over time was fashioned into a love song to no one in particular. Of the 5 covers, the LSK interpretation of Yo Te Queria Maria a song by Gerardo Alfonso was inspired by a 1999 conversation between Alfonso and Patino that happened in Havana. The elder Alphonso imparted on Patino how important it was that he continue the traditions of Cuban music and help it grow. That message resonated deeply with Patino and is embodied in his passionate vocal and Abreu’s lyrical tenor solo. Chan Chan, Compay Segundo's most famous composition, was taken to new heights of popularity in the Buena Vista Social Club soundtrack. LSK’s unique contemporary approach to this song has one foot on the shore of Cuba and the other foot on the shore of Jamaica, artfully combining the common thread that runs through the hypnotic rhythmic pulse of Son & Reggae. LSK got to work on their vibrant statement in George Harrison’s Isn't it a Pity shortly after hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. “It seemed to really capture the moment and the feelings we were having about the tragedy of so many people losing their homes, livelihoods and communities,” said Mik Mersha LSK bassist. LSK brought in the Boston Horns’ Henley and Garret to provide a N'Orleans funeral march feel. Additionally, all proceeds from digital downloads of the tune are going to makeitrightnola.org to help rebuild the lower 9th ward one house at a time…
The music of Los Sugar Kings presents a very new, highly danceable, and infectious sound that borrows from the same rhythmic foundations of the Buena Vista Social club sensation and pays homage to the traditions of Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa, and Rumba-Flamenca.
The 15 tracks on “LSK” divine an otherworldly combination of Afro-Cuban rhythms and improvisation that displays the vast breadth and depth of the musicians who form the core of Los Sugar Kings: Patino Vazquez (vocals, tres, guitars) Mikael Mersha (vocals, contrabass, electric bass), Daniel Abreu (saxophone, piano, vocals) Benny Benson (drums, percussion, vocals) together have honed their sound through years of captivating stage performance. One of LSK’s great strengths, displayed to perfection here, is the groups’ ability to combine their diverse backgrounds into intriguing, organic forms punctuated by artful melody and tight vocal harmony. Always mindful of the past, LSK cooks up an extensive sonic glossary of Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa, Rumba-Flamenca and Afro-Caribbean rhythms: cha-cha, rumba, boogaloo, bolero, meringue, jamba, cumbia y salsa, bomba, and songo. What’s more, adding to the excitement are special guest performances by Master Congueros Miguel Beato and Yahuba as well as Garret Savluk (trumpet) and Henley Douglas, Jr., (tenor sax) of the renowned Boston Horns.
With tasty original tunes with names like Fuego Dulce, El Valle, Mondo Sweetie Mambo, Van Van, Como Creo, No Hagas Caso, Nueva Mezcla one can only expect excitement in this music. From note one the listener is taken on a unique contemporary Afro-Cuban fantasy. Fuego Dulce, El Valle, and Nueva Mezcla epitomize the fiery masterful musicianship all group members posses. Likely one of the most emotive tracks, Lo Siento features masterful flamenco guitar pulsations propelled by undulating Latin percussion, has it beginnings as a message Patino wrote to his deceased father and over time was fashioned into a love song to no one in particular. Of the 5 covers, the LSK interpretation of Yo Te Queria Maria a song by Gerardo Alfonso was inspired by a 1999 conversation between Alfonso and Patino that happened in Havana. The elder Alphonso imparted on Patino how important it was that he continue the traditions of Cuban music and help it grow. That message resonated deeply with Patino and is embodied in his passionate vocal and Abreu’s lyrical tenor solo. Chan Chan, Compay Segundo's most famous composition, was taken to new heights of popularity in the Buena Vista Social Club soundtrack. LSK’s unique contemporary approach to this song has one foot on the shore of Cuba and the other foot on the shore of Jamaica, artfully combining the common thread that runs through the hypnotic rhythmic pulse of Son & Reggae. LSK got to work on their vibrant statement in George Harrison’s Isn't it a Pity shortly after hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. “It seemed to really capture the moment and the feelings we were having about the tragedy of so many people losing their homes, livelihoods and communities,” said Mik Mersha LSK bassist. LSK brought in the Boston Horns’ Henley and Garret to provide a N'Orleans funeral march feel. Additionally, all proceeds from digital downloads of the tune are going to makeitrightnola.org to help rebuild the lower 9th ward one house at a time…
BOSTON-BASED LOS SUGAR KINGS CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF DEBUT CD “LSK” IN CONCERT AT JOHNNY D’s JUNE 25, 2008