Guitarras y Congas is an instrumental group from San Francisco that fuses Latin rock. pop. and rumba. Formed in 1992. they have done over a thousand gigs. "Chiles" is their first CD. Their sound is all about the guitar. Driving rumba flamenco guitars playing great original songs with beautiful melodies. And great solos. The solos are performed on steel string, flamenco, and electric guitars. The groove is provided by a bed of Latin rock percussion performed by authentic practitioners of the art.
The record opens with "Baja Cantina", a dramatic song with an incredible solo by violinist Chris Kranyak. It is a defining performance. In "Duelo", electric guitarist Gabriel Manzo, who also handles lead guitar for Malo, takes the lead with another wonderful performance. "The Pool Song" features congero Tony Menijvar and "San Remo" spotlights drummer and congero Leo Rosales. Both congeros spent years with the group "Malo". Guest bassist Pablo Tellez spent time in the Santana band and Malo. Bandleader Martin Cohen plays flamenco and electric guitars, providing the harmonic blanket for soloists and playing memorable melodies and solos himself. His credits include opening for the Gipsy Kings, Santana, Los Lobos, and Linda Ronstat.
Guitarras y Congas is a group deep with experience and talent, and with that special energy that makes their music come alive.
Their record features veteran players cutting loose. Playing songs they wrote on the bandstand, forged under the steady fire of hundreds of performances. Carefully considered and infused with an energy of spirit, this is a fine debut.
"A lush sounding recording featuring some amazing flamenco guitar playing"
20th Century Guitar
What our fans say:
"Bravo" Naoki Sakai, Japan
"Que siga La Musica" Carmen Sanchez, Madrid
"Ole!" Ester Idea, Madrid
"Outstanding" Pete Taylor, Cambridge, England
"You all rocked" Erica Goldblatt, San Francisco
"The moment I entered this place I thought Friday 3:00am at SF. Al DiMeola. John McLaughlin & Paco de Lucia. Music is really good. Congratulations." Diego Perez Espinosa, Buenos Aires
"Ole" Diana Luna, Espana, Mallorca
"Arriba La Rumba" Jose Sota, Madrid
"You guys are cooking Mexican music" Mike Halloran, San Francisco
"Carlos has nothing on you guys" B. Madrone, San Francisco
"I like how you do everything with that music. If you work hard. you can be stars." Jaime Martinez, San Francisco
"To my Latino buddies-Keep up the good work¦.The Brooklyn Godfather Dominick - P.S. I love Susie the waitress"
"Haven't seen you guys since 68 (Budapest) You still kick ass!" Dennis Lefbom, Tampa, Florida
"La Musica! We came especially to see you guys. Hope to see you around more often" The gang at American Conservatory Theatre
"Thanks for flailing fingers. conga bongos. and groovy strings. Viva La Musica!" Barry Munoz. San Francisco
"Su musica es fantastica!" Naoya Kano
"Your music has made our stay in SF enjoyable. We enjoy good music and yours is special. Keep on makin us happy." Rick & Cheryl Amaya, Fontana, CA
"Only red hot lovers could make music like yours" AP Davidson, San Francisco
"Your music. like that of "the Mission" brings such ethos and excitement and energy that it is painfull to leave. Like a visit to the seashore or a beautiful mountain stream. one seems to carry the memory of your music in one's soul. Your ardent fans and wannabe aficionados" Jim & Sharon Arnot, Eureka, CA
"Your music makes us happy. It makes warmth. pleasure. and fear run through our veins. Desire. Youth. components that keep your music alive. Keep living. fully" Juliette & Sharon, San Francisco
"Nuestros oidos enchanted con el sonido de tu flamenco Gracias por el placer que nos has dado." Silvia & Ruth, San Francisco
"Your music has inspired a wonderful dance. Hope to see and hear you again" Veronique, Belgium
"Kaui no ka oi-Mahalo" Dave"the wave" Wilson, Kaui
"You fly on the wings of your music" Lil Art, San Francisco
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