radioclash9 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Mongo SantaMaria is the Pele Of Afro-Latin Percussion! He has no competition! No EQUAL! stop Calling it Latin exclusively.. the Drum is From Africa. The Drum is the Blackest Reprensentation of African Blood! all Afro-Latin rhythms are old Ancient Afrikan rhythms from thousands of years ago...even the dances are African.. the Africans who were made Slaves by the Spanish were forced to dance and they had on chains... The Latin soul is an African SOul! and i am ambos sangres! Peace to all..

pleomorphia (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

..a 50 yr old blackman - and full-time musician - who has studied for a long time and has followed the evolution of the drum for as long as he can remember.i didn't say poncho's technique's "old" i said it's 'odd'. i have found more efficient interesting ways of playing the drum mixing many ideas from other cultures; new and oldas i said, the pioneers will always have my respect - they live in the deepest part of my playing - but is it not natural that the modern conga must evolve?

mrmortgage (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I don't mean any disrespect derbeno, I'm just stating the facts. I don't even know if my initial response comment was for you, I was responding to someone who stated Poncho's sound was old and the new artists are on top and how we all must evolve. Apologizes if it got shot to you.

mrmortgage (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I never said I was an expert, and you have been missing the point of this video. Who are you to judge technique is my question? I have not studied conga but Giovanni Hidalgo, Mongo Santamaria (R.I.P), and Poncho Sanchez have been friends of my family since before I was born. Personally knowing these masters, all I know is that I doubt anyone who has been commenting on this about technique is probably not a world renowned teacher or artist. Point is your not qualified to make that statement.

derbeno (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You are missing the point. I am not flaming. Good sound yes, great licks etc yes. Good technique, no-(but it does not matter he sounds great) Good teacher - No. Are you an expert Conguero? Who have you studied with?

mrmortgage (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

His technique comes from the pioneers of Latin Jazz, this is not a case of old lion versus new lion. Show some respect for the keeper of the flame. Besides who are you to make such a comment?

mrmortgage (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

What have you done for Latin Jazz that you can teach us the correct way?...

mikedamanc (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

This is like Latinbizlinks

TiqueO6 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

When I shook Ricardo Abreau's (Papin of Los Papines) hand in Habana in 1980 I was amazed to find them soft as a baby's *I ask him "¿porque, 'tan suave? and he replied simply "¡Técnica!".He produces some of the crispest and loudest quinto sounds on the planet.Find the most efficient way of making your sounds by taking each sound individually when you practice or learn tone production.Take your time and you'll find the crisp, pop, slap, tapaó,open-tones, solid palm or heal and bass tones.

sweavo (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

because he has a name.