Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Taking their name from their famous hybrid rhythm, meaning a cross between Cuba's native son music and the go-go of the 1970s, Songo is the record that started it all. Los Van Van quickly gained an international reputation, having already long been their native Cuba's favorite dance band. The music, which brilliantly synthesizes the syncopated African-influenced rhythms of Cuba with funk and disco sounds coming out of the States, would influence musicians on either side of the cultural divide. Companas and congas create intricate textures over the solid bedrock of disco drums and keyboards. The percussive innovations of Jose Luis Quintana, better known as Changuito, would chart the course for the next generation of drummers and timbaleros. Bandleader and bass player Juan Formell exhibits an intuitive, natural songwriting sensibility that would characterize his career. Arranger and pianist Cesar Pedroso demonstrates his abilities both as a leader and as a soloist. If the modern listener can get over the seriously dated sound sources (plastic-sounding electronic drum triggers and keyboard patches) the music of Songo is not just an important history lesson; it proves to be as enjoyable a listen today as when it first electrified the dancefloors of Havana.
© Evan C. Gutierrez /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Los Van Van, MainArtist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited, A Universal Music Company
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer - Los Van Van, MainArtist - Cesar Pedroso, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Los Van Van, MainArtist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited, A Universal Music Company
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Los Van Van, MainArtist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Los Van Van, MainArtist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited, A Universal Music Company
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Los Van Van, MainArtist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer - Los Van Van, MainArtist - Cesar Pedroso, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Jon Fausty, Producer - Juan Formell, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Los Van Van, MainArtist
℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Album review
Taking their name from their famous hybrid rhythm, meaning a cross between Cuba's native son music and the go-go of the 1970s, Songo is the record that started it all. Los Van Van quickly gained an international reputation, having already long been their native Cuba's favorite dance band. The music, which brilliantly synthesizes the syncopated African-influenced rhythms of Cuba with funk and disco sounds coming out of the States, would influence musicians on either side of the cultural divide. Companas and congas create intricate textures over the solid bedrock of disco drums and keyboards. The percussive innovations of Jose Luis Quintana, better known as Changuito, would chart the course for the next generation of drummers and timbaleros. Bandleader and bass player Juan Formell exhibits an intuitive, natural songwriting sensibility that would characterize his career. Arranger and pianist Cesar Pedroso demonstrates his abilities both as a leader and as a soloist. If the modern listener can get over the seriously dated sound sources (plastic-sounding electronic drum triggers and keyboard patches) the music of Songo is not just an important history lesson; it proves to be as enjoyable a listen today as when it first electrified the dancefloors of Havana.
© Evan C. Gutierrez /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 8 track(s)
- Total length: 00:47:26
- Main artists: Los Van Van
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Spectrum
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited ℗ 1989 Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.