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Amazon.com
If rap is, as Chuck D claimed, "the CNN of the streets," then Puerto Rico's Afro-derived plena is the Internet of the Antilles. Spawned in the 19th century, the genre features three tambourine-like pandero hand drums and topical, news-oriented lyrics. In 1994, bassist Gary Nunez formed the Plena Libre ensemble. The title of this CD translates as "we are having fun." The group updates plena classics by Angel Torruellas, Mon Rivera, and Rafael Cepeda with a rhythm section, four trombones, percussion and keyboards. Special guests trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda and violinist Alfredo de la Fe provide the jazz tinge on the engaging instrumental, "Lluvia Con Nieve," and the processional pulsations of "Juan Jose" are sonically signatured by William Cepeda's ebullient trombone. "Tributo A Rafael Cortijo Y Su Combo" is a soulful salute to the great Puerto Rican composer who put this music on the map. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Tracks:

Olvidalo
Canario Blanco
Que Buena Son Las Mujeres
Tributo A 'Rafael Cortijo Y Su Combo'
Lluvia Con Nieve
Juan Jose
Charlatan
Kijis Konar
Lo Que A Ti Te Gusta
Medley De La Calle San Sebastian

Amazon.com

If rap is, as Chuck D claimed, "the CNN of the streets," then Puerto Rico's Afro-derived plena is the Internet of the Antilles. Spawned in the 19th century, the genre features three tambourine-like pandero hand drums and topical, news-oriented lyrics. In 1994, bassist Gary Nunez formed the Plena Libre ensemble. The title of this CD translates as "we are having fun." The group updates plena classics by Angel Torruellas, Mon Rivera, and Rafael Cepeda with a rhythm section, four trombones, percussion and keyboards. Special guests trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda and violinist Alfredo de la Fe provide the jazz tinge on the engaging instrumental, "Lluvia Con Nieve," and the processional pulsations of "Juan Jose" are sonically signatured by William Cepeda's ebullient trombone. "Tributo A Rafael Cortijo Y Su Combo" is a soulful salute to the great Puerto Rican composer who put this music on the map. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews:

great authentic Puerto Rican plena............2007-04-08

For those of you who think that Puerto Rico's greatest musical claim to fame is a toss-up between salsa and reggaeton, I suggest you check out this CD for a great introduction to one of their ORIGINAL musical claims to fame. Plena is a great, syncopated up-tempo style of music, complete with percussion and charged vocals. Traditionally speaking, plena was a means of communicating important news and social issues to the masses, through its lyrics.

Plena Libre does a wonderful job of capturing the sound and flavor of plena with their tunes (some of them original, others old favorites). Some of my favorite cuts include "Olvidalo," "Canario Blanco" and "Tributo a Rafael Cortijo" (Cortijo was one of Puerto Rico's late, great musicians). This album is sizzling. Buy it today.

Festive.......2006-06-18

We love listening to this CD. Makes us want to dance and party.

Plenty, Plenty Good.......2004-12-21

If you are a Gringo, like I am, you relate explanations of Latin sounds to our own experience. So...,imagine the lazy backbeat of New Orlean's Second Line.. Mix in the raucos marching rhytm of Carnaval in Brazil. Add splashes of rollicking piano Rhumba and braying Salsa trombones, and finally great coro harmony singing of Puerto Rico and you "has it"!

Always Great!.......2004-06-21

This cd is great just like all the plean libre cd's. Definitley go and buy this one. But like the review before me said nothing is like seeing them live.

Better and Better.......2004-06-19

Plena Libre are one of the true gems of Puerto Rican music and every time I hear them, they just get better and better. This latest disc is a knockout... although still not quite as good as seeing them live!