A bull is loose and it's raising hell in the Latin Quarter!
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>Dutch Venezuelan bandleader and percussionist Marco Toro Bernal, born in Caracas in 1969, got his first drum kit form his parents on his ninth birthday and never stopped playing and studying, learning all about the possibilities and intricacies of his instrument.
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>Marco Toro Bernal made quite a career with "metalatino" outfit Laberinto. However, he felt the need to expand his playing. To focus on his Venezuelan roots and musical culture, Marco founded Toro Ensamble in 2004 and released his first solo album, "Rumbero Me Llama" the same year.
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>Now it's time for Toro Ensamble's sophomore album: "Barrio Latino", featuring Bernal on myriads of percussion instruments, including typical Venezuelan ones like the cumaco, culo e' puya, and the primordial role of shakers, like the maracas and guiro - metal scraper - and guira - gourd scraper.
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>The Venezuelan musical culture is characterized by its Latin and Afro-Venezuelan rhythmic patterns and that's exactly what this album boasts.
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>"Barrio Latino" is a well balanced album featuring compositions ranging from sultry Latin pop to steaming salsa and swinging Cuban clave. Marco proves to be an excellent percussionist and it turns out he can make tasteful arrangements as well of pieces by legends like Ray Baretto and Johnny Pacheco.
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>On top of that come the excellent vocals delivered by Javier Plaza, Yma Am�rica, Quinten Cliff and Daniel Patriasz.
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>Last but not least: JC "Bulu" Viloria has done a great job mixing (most songs) and mastering this album. Marco Toro has surpassed himself on "Barrio Latino". Yes, a bull is loose and it's raising hell in the Latin Quarter!
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> - Drummerszone.com