Música AfroPuertorriqueña: Para Todos Ustedes: Bomba y Plena desde Nueva York, Los Pleneros de la 21

Para Todos Ustedes: Bomba y Plena desde Nueva York. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings - SFW40519 2005 2005, 

GRAMMY® nominated CD, Best Traditional World Music Album (48th Annual Awards)

The new Los Pleneros' album is an outstanding 13-track recording that captures these masters at their peak, infusing traditional bomba and plena with contemporary influences, such as música jíbara (mountain music of Puerto Rico), jazz, salsa, and rap.

The bomba and plena are the heartbeat of Afro-Puerto Rican music. In Para Todos Ustedes (For All of You), New York's acclaimed Los Pleneros de la 21 wraps these venerable drumming, singing, and dancing traditions in a creative web of fresh arrangements, contemporary harmonies, and a message of pride in their musical ancestors. Trombonist Papo Vázquez, percussionist John Santos, salsero Hermán Olivera, and singer Miriam Félix join Los Pleneros de la 21 in this engaging, breakthrough album crafted from the solid strands of both old and new. 36-page booklet. Since its release in July 19, 2005 the album has been has been praised by critics and audiences alike. comments: --While says: -- Renowned Latin music historian and record producer Rene Lopez calls 'Para Todos Ustedes' "the best that Los Pleneros de la 21 have recorded."

Para Todos Ustedes' includes the dynamic "Chiviriquitón," a traditional plena with rap influenced verses. "Carmelina," another notable track, includes three trombones, arranged and played by renowned Puerto Rican trombonist Ángel "Papo" Vázquez. These two tracks show how plena can be fused with other strains of music.

This album is part of the "Tradiciones/Traditions" recording series, which is part of the CFCH Nuestra Música project exploring Latino culture through music in recordings and Folklife Festival programs. This CD includes vivid photographs and extensive liner notes, by noted Latino music scholars Daniel Sheehy, Raquel Z. Rivera and Juan Gutiérrez Rodríguez.

Los Pleneros de la 21:
Sam C. Tanco, lead vocals, chorus; Nellie Tanco, lead vocals, chorus; José Rivera, lead vocals, chorus, pandereta, barril de bomba; Héctor "Tito" Matos, lead vocals, coro, panderetas, barriles de bomba, cuá (Héctor "Tito" Matos uses LP percussion instruments); Roberto Cepeda, güiro, maracas, baile en el soberao; Edgardo Miranda, acoustic and electric