Here is a bongo solo as played by the great Roberto Roena.  Roberto makes use of a very effective “musical” approach to his improvisations, incorporating wonderful phrases, which make use of sophisticated syncopation.  Roberto Roena has been a mainstay of the development of “Salsa” in New York, through his work with many groups, his own ensembles, as well as with his remarkable contribution to the “Fania All Stars”, an orchestra which tours and records and which core players are the major bandleaders (originally associated with the Fania record label from New York) of the “Salsa” movement in North America.  This solo by Roberto was transcribed from the Fania All Stars “Spanish Fever” release of 1978 (Columbia JC 35336).  The track is the up tempo “Sin Tu Cariño” and it features among others Ruben Blades on vocals.  Enjoy!
 

Bongo Leyend:

 
 
 
 

© 2002 Alex Pertout
All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced, without the prior written permission from the author.  First published in Drumscene (2002)

Copyright © 1996-2003 Alex Pertout