Plena Libre

Amazon.com
The plena--a Puerto Rican style of folk music with strong African roots--is often compared to calypso because of its driving beat and lyrics that deal with the political realities of the working class. The form is extremely popular in Puerto Rico, although almost unknown elsewhere. Plena Libre was created by bass player Gary Nuñez and singer Giovanni Lugo, Puerto Rican musicians who wanted to take the plena international. To this end, they added a brass section to the traditional lineup of hand drums, guitars, and quintos, and while this gives the music a slightly "salsa-fied" feeling, you won't mistake its complicated rhythms and impassioned call and response vocals for salsa romántica. The drummers work at least three rhythmic lines into every tune, and when the singers add a staccato vocal pattern to the mix, as they do on "Tumbalakatin" and "Carnival," it's impossible to stay in your seat. --j. poet

From the Label
Plena Libre was founded in 1994 by Gary Nunez one of the leading musicians in Puerto Rico. Gary has been playing bass professionally for more than two decades and has recorded and toured with many of the top names in Latin Music. He is the bassist, musical director, arranger and chief composer for the band. He is also one of the most respected producers in the contemporary Puerto Rican musical community. While originally a Salsa musician as well as revered jazz bassist, Gary decided half a decade ago to start a band utilizing the traditional music of Puerto Rico, known as Plena. Plena, prior to the creation of Plena Libre was a folkloric tradition which had virtually no effect on the contemporary music scene.

However, in the late 50's and early 60's Plena did enjoy a brief period of commercial success both in Puerto Rico and within the Puerto Rican communities in the northeastern United States. When that intial burst of commercial popularity subsided Plena receded from the popular conciousness and disappeared from dancefloors, house parties, and radio play lists.

In investigating the "roots music" of his country, Gary lit upon the idea of taking the Plena out of the context of folklore and re-imagining it as a contemporary dance form like Salsa, Merengue or Bachata. This idea proved to be nothing less than revolutionary. On a shoe string budget Gary produced a local album which proceeded to get all over the radio, tv and concert stages across the island. It also sold 20,000 copies in a matter of a few short months.

This was not only the beginning of one of the most exciting and innovative bands to emerge from the Carribean in the past quarter century, it also signalled the re-birth of an entire genre of Latin music. Since that time, five years ago, Plena Libre has spearheaded a musical renaissance which is powerful that it could not be contained.

Evidence of this contagion is the record simply titled Plena Libre. Their first album for outside the Puerto Rican marketplace, this record is nothing short of a milestone in contemporary Latin music.

When legendary producer Joe Boyd and RykoLatino label manager Aaron Luis Levinson saw Plena Libre with their own eyes while on a scouting trip to Puerto Rico they both knew instantly that this band was a force to be reckoned with and soon.

The result is this groundbreaking album, now available from RykoLatino. Blending Soca, Samba, Salsa with the Plena form Gary Nunez and Plena Libre have fostered nothing less than a musical renaissance in Tropical music.

Sure, there are other Plena groups out there, following in the wake of Plena Libre, but none can hold a candle to the energy, dynamism and adventurous creative spirit which makes Plena Libre, pun intended, an island unto themselves. With joyous singing, percolating percussion and smashing brass the Plena Libre sound has to be heard to be believed. As the Monkees put it all those years ago, "I'm a Believer". After checking out Plena Libre for yourself, I know that you will be too.

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!

Average customer rating:

Plena's

Evolucion
Plena Libre
Manufacturer: Times Square Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Puerto Rico | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000B5XSQW
Release Date: 2005-10-04

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Mi Plena Es Lilbre
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Me Quisiste
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Customer Reviews:

Plena's.......2007-06-27

great music makes me feel like I am on the island of Puerto Rico listening to it live.

Average customer rating:

DE PUERTO RICO PARA EL MUNDO!
Absolutely exhilarating, spicy afro-boricua sounds
Great Afro-Boriqua rythms.

Juntos Y Libre
Plena Libre
Manufacturer: Ryko Latino
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mas Libre
Estamos Gozando!

ASIN: B00000IXS8
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Cucu
Julieta
Manana Por La Manana
Voy Subiendo
Flores
El Besito
El Party
Plena De Amor
Ritmo Sabroso

Customer Reviews:

DE PUERTO RICO PARA EL MUNDO!.......2000-04-01

Plena Libre ha sido el grupo que ha llevado la musica Plena de Puerto Rico hacia todas partes del mundo. La Plena es un ritmo tropical unico. Muchas felicitaciones a Plena Libre y su creador el Sr. Gary Nuñez por su exelente produccion discografica "Juntos Y Revueltos".

Absolutely exhilarating, spicy afro-boricua sounds.......1999-09-30

Thanks to Gary Nunez and Plena Libre, Traditional Puerto Rican Folklore has once again been placed on the map. With creativity and ingenuity, this dynamic band has proved to be the best in Plena. I would recommend this CD to anyone who enjoys true Puerto Rican "Roots" music. This CD will have you dancing in your seat or dancing on the floor. Another superb Plena Libre CD to add to your collection. Enjoy!

Great Afro-Boriqua rythms........1999-08-07

Plena Libre encompases PR's African roots and joins them nicely with the dominant Spanish influence of the island. As an avid colector of Caribean music, I recommend this album.

Tracks:

Bembe De Plena
Plena Conciencia
Tumbalakatin
Buscando Un Carino
Consuelo
Boricuas
Canaval
Me Gusto
El Beso Y La Flor
Granada

Amazon.com

The plena--a Puerto Rican style of folk music with strong African roots--is often compared to calypso because of its driving beat and lyrics that deal with the political realities of the working class. The form is extremely popular in Puerto Rico, although almost unknown elsewhere. Plena Libre was created by bass player Gary Nuñez and singer Giovanni Lugo, Puerto Rican musicians who wanted to take the plena international. To this end, they added a brass section to the traditional lineup of hand drums, guitars, and quintos, and while this gives the music a slightly "salsa-fied" feeling, you won't mistake its complicated rhythms and impassioned call and response vocals for salsa romántica. The drummers work at least three rhythmic lines into every tune, and when the singers add a staccato vocal pattern to the mix, as they do on "Tumbalakatin" and "Carnival," it's impossible to stay in your seat. --j. poet

Customer Reviews:

Se pone repetitivo.......2006-07-02

Yo me compre este disco despues de escuchar una de las canciones del grupo con altas expectativas. Desafortunadamente no fue tan bueno como esperaba. No porque ninguna cancion en particular sea mala, sino porque los arreglos son muy parecidos, el toque del cencerro a veces nunca cambia, etc.

PLENA LIBRE: ORGULLO BORICUA!!!.......2000-09-06

Plena Libre es uno de los maximos orgullos de Puerto Rico. Han sabido llevar la Plena, musica tipica de Puerto Rico, atravez de todo el mundo. Este disco, al igual que todos los discos de Plena Libre, es excelente. Cuando lo escuches no podras dejar de bailar con este pagajoso ritmo tropical. Los mejores temas del disco son: "Bembe De Plena", "El Beso Y La Flor" y "Plena Conciencia". Mucho exito para Plena Libre.

Fuera de liga !!!.......1999-03-19

Todos los títulos en este CD son de primera clase, especialmente el número 6)Boricuas. Buena música para todo el año. Disfrútalo !!!

Average customer rating:

Traditional plena meets modern beats

Mas Libre
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Manufacturer: Ryko Latino
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Binding: Audio CD

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Mi Ritmo
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ASIN: B00004Z3YS
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Plena Bien Sabrosa
MarLuisa
Bravo!
Tema de Luis Gabriel
Chiviriquit
Somos Diferentes
Malcriao
Quiereme
Mi Manera
Dos Ojos
Pa'Qui Pa'Lla

Customer Reviews:

Traditional plena meets modern beats.......2000-11-12

This album is a must have for those people who are interested in the evolving music/dance Plena. The groups use of traditional instruments, mixed with modern beats makes this one of the most diverse plena influenced albums available.

Tracks:

Mi Ritmo
En la Calle
Ella Tiene
Plena Plena Plena!
Mi Amor
Remolino de Mar
Olandera
Solo Ttas de un Mismo R
Traigo Una Pena Oh Oh
Vivir Con Ganas
Dlo Que Suba

Album Description

This album was nominated for the 45th Grammy as "Best Tropical Traditional Album" and for the 4th Latin Grammy as "Best Tropical Traditional Album" . It is a plena album, Puerto Rico's rhythm, fusioned with pwercussio, horns and vocal combined in exciting arangements and combine traditional plena rhythms with contemporary dance-floor styles.

Mi Ritmo draws from a wide sonic vocabulary- jazz, raggea, salsa, samba, songo, bomba, merengue and cumbia.

Features invited artists Eddie Palmieri, Roberto Rohena and Cachete Maldonado.

Customer Reviews:

Mi Ritmo; Plena Libre.......2003-10-21

Amazing sound, great jazzy arrangements and just love the band's music. This is a must for all world music lovers.

Mi Ritmo; Plena Libre.......2003-10-19

Superb! The best of Latin World music. No wonder why the album was nominated to the Grammys!! A must for music lovers. THANKS.

Average customer rating:

Latin - Various Artists
Jimmy Bosch , Cubanismo! starring Jesus Alemany , Willie Bobo , Plena Libre , Poncho Sanchez , Cal Tjader , Eddie Palmieri , Jose Alberto , Conjunto Cespedes , and Sonora Carruseles
Manufacturer: Rhino
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000FSZC1E

Product Description

Rhino //Latin - Various Artists // 1. Jimmy Bosch - Speak no evil 2. Cubanismo! starring Jesus Alemany - Mar y tierra 3. Santana - Oye como va 4. Willie Bobo - Boogaloo in room 8oz 5. Plena Libre - El beso y la flor 6. Poncho Sanchez - El conguero 7. Cal Tjader and Eddie Palmieri - Modesty (Theme from Modesty Blaise) 8.Jose Alberto - Me dejo picao 9. Conjunto Cespedes - Umelina 10. Sonora Carruseles - Al son de los cueros 11. Celia Cruz - El no te quiere na 12. Eddie Palmieri - Pas D'Histories