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Billy Cobham and Asere 'A Latin Soul' |
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Written by JoJo
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Sunday, 20 January 2008 |
Legendary drummer Billy Cobham has a large and faithful following worldwide. His story spans decades and includes collaborations with a list that reads like a who’s who of modern music, including Miles Davis, George Benson, Oscar Peterson, Jack Bruce, John McLaughlin and Herbie Hancock to name just a few. Asere’s creative, pioneering repertoire is deeply respectful of Cuba’s musical traditions, but has an exciting contemporary edge blessed with inventive song writing and a soulful groove.
Billy Cobham was born in Panama and moved to New York with his parents at the age of three. The Billy Cobham and Asere Project is part of a process in which Billy is reconnecting with his Latin roots, exploring and rediscovering his natural musical and cultural heritage. Billy and Asere’s thrilling musical relationship is fired by mutual respect, spontaneity and enjoyment. ‘A Latin Soul’ is the story of their awesome collaboration.
Billy and Asere first met at the WOMAD Festival, Reading in 2002. Following a recording session in Real World Studios and two further appearances at WOMAD Festivals in Singapore and Sri Lanka, their story remarkably came to Cardigan when Theatr Mwldan and Taliesin Arts Centre formed a partnership with Astar Music to co-produce Billy and Asere’s first full collaboration and four date tour, which took place in Wales in March 2006.
This set includes one DVD and one CD and is titled Billy Cobham and Asere ‘A Latin Soul’.
Disc 1 is the DVD which includes two documentaries and excerpts of various live performances with Asere and Billy Cobham in Wales.
The first documentary called ‘Alma Latina’ is in English (there is also a version with Spanish subtitles) and runs for approximately 35 mins. It is predominantly an interview with Billy Cobham, mixed with clips of rehearsals and live performances with Asere. Billy explains about his upbringing as a child in New York after leaving Panama with his parents. He also talks about his relationship with Asere and how they learned to work together during their collaborations. You are also shown clips of Billy learning to sing song lyrics in Spanish and perform basic salsa steps with the other musicians on stage, which are very funny. He also goes into how he interacts musically with Vincente on Congas and Timbales, Juan ‘Luz’ on Bongos and Michel on Trumpet whilst they play together, and how the whole band work together as one.
The second documentary called ‘Cuba a Panama’ is in Spanish with English subtitles, and this also runs for approximately 35 mins. This one is predominantly interviews with Vincente and Michel together with more performance and rehearsal clips. Vincente describes his upbringing as a child in Cuba and Cuban music in general, and Asere’s relationship with Billy and how they all interact with each other on stage, whilst Michel talks about how Asere first met Billy Cobham and how they began to work together following their initial meeting. Both Vincente and Michel also talk about the influences and ideas behind of some of their songs.
The final part of the DVD is the live performance section which includes 9 tracks which were filmed at various venues during their tour in Wales with Billy. This section runs for approximately 60 mins.
Disc 2 is a bonus CD called ‘Billy’s Montuno’ which is a recording of 7 tracks, all of which are collaborations between Asere and Billy. Some of these tracks are also featured in the live performance section of the DVD.
The first time I watched this DVD I was short on time, so only intended to watch a little of it, and then watch it properly all the way through at a later date. However, once I started watching it I found myself unable to turn it off, and ended up watching it all. I thought it was an interesting insight into how a Latin band works together and how the music is made and constructed. It was also fascinating to watch how Billy incorporated himself and his drum kit into an already well established Cuban band, and how he interacted with the other musicians. Watching Billy playing the Congas and Bongos was very entertaining, as was seeing Vincente trying to get to grips with a full drum kit, which is not normally used in a Cuban band.
Billy and Asere seemed to gel musically together with ease, and all the guys bonded really well, and you could see the mutual respect they all had for each other. It was especially touching I thought when Vincente said that when this project with Billy came to an end, he felt that there would be something missing from Asere because he had become one of them.
As I already have all of Asere’s albums and had also seen them play live about 3 times, I was very familiar with their music, so it was interesting to see how their music changed and developed whilst they were working with Billy Cobham and together they made a great team.
I really enjoyed watching this DVD – I discovered a bit more about Latin and Cuban music, and found out a little more about a band that I was already familiar with, plus I also learnt a little about Billy Cobham who I previously knew nothing about. I also enjoyed watching the live performances as they brought back memories of when I’ve seen Asere play live in the past.
For more information on the Asere and Billy Cobham Project visit:-
www.myspace.com/billycobhamandasere
I understand that Asere will be returning to tour the UK in the autumn of 2008 and this tour will incorporate shows and workshops with Billy Cobham as well as some dates when Asere will play without Billy. Now that I have seen this DVD I hope to be able to catch Asere and Billy in concert so see the collaboration for myself.
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