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Buscando La Vida

by Henry Cole & Villa Locura

/
  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Henry Cole & Villa Locura - Buscando La Vida

    Recorded by – Julio Gonzalez at El Padrino Recording Studio
    San Juan, Puerto Rico
    Recording & Mixing (Metropole Orkest) – Paul Pouwer

    Mixed by – Michael H. Brauer at Brauer Sound Studios
    New York, NYC
    Mastered by – Pete Lyman at Infrasonic Sound Studios

    Featuring eight original compositions by Cole, Buscando La Vida is rooted in jazz, but features strong elements of funk, Afrobeat, soul and hiphop, synthesized through Cole’s singular vision.

    Some of the selections were inspired by feelings; the cinematic opening “No Estamos Solo” (“We Are Not Alone”) is a colorful showcase for the Metropole Orkest in particular and was written as a reflection on unexpectedly crossing paths with like-minded people and realizing we, as a people, are not alone.

    Some are more personal: “Y en Sueños te Persigo” (“And in Dreams I Chase You”) is about being “so obsessed with an idea, the creator pursues it in dreams” and “Dime Donde Estas” (Tell Me Where You Are), and “ H.C.S.” are dedicated to Cole’s estranged father, Henry Cole Simon.

    “De Frente” (Head On), a genre-mashup featuring the sharp-tounged Negro Gonzalez, is a meditation on confronting and taking responsibility for one’s life, including all its positive and negative qualities while “Azul Turquesa” (Blue Turquoise) is a reflective love song.

    “Shinobi (He Who Hides)” is dedicated to the figure of the ninja - a figure of inspiration for Cole that speaks to the ability to develop a “killer” instinct ability without sacrificing one’s essence.

    The vibrant closer “Vueltas” (Turns) pays homage to the community that created the Delta Blues and its relation to the Puerto Rican Jibaro, and, as Cole says, “the "gatekeeper" to our hearts.”

    Track Listing:
    1. No Estamos Solos (ft. Metropole Orkest) (7:58)
    2. Y En Sueños Te Persigo (8:33)
    3. Dime Dónde Estas (4:22)
    4. H.C.S (1:01)
    5. De Frente (ft. Negro González) (4:15) 6. Azul Turquesa (6:12)
    7. Shinobi (He Who Hides) (4:06)
    8. Vueltas (Feat. Duke Amayo) (7:36)


    Credits:
    Henry Cole – Drums, Synths, Rhodes Metropole Orkest
    Jahaziel Garcia – Trumpet
    Jonathan Acevedo – Tenor Sax
    Andrew Gutauskas – Baritone Sax
    Kalani Trinidad – Flute
    Benito Diaz - French Horn (3&4)
    Randy Roman - Trombone (3&4)
    Giovanny De La Rosa – Guitar
    Javier Perez – Guitar
    Ricardo Rodriguez - Bass
    Emanuel Rivera Gambaro – Keyboards,Synths
    Alberto “Beto” Torrens – Barril
    Bryant Huffman – Chekere
    Duke Amayo – Main Vocals (8)
    Negro González – Main Vocals (5)
    Antoinette Rodriguez – Backup vocals (8)
    Melissa Orsini – Backup vocals (8)
    Dayanira Arzuaga – Backup vocals (8)
    Génesis Z. Cordero – Backup vocals (8)

    Music written by Henry Cole
    Lyrics by Negro González, Duke Amayo
    Produced by Henry Cole
    Soren Moller - “No Estamos Solos” Orchestration & Arrangement

    Recorded by – Julio Gonzalez at El Padrino Recording Studio
    San Juan, Puerto Rico
    Mixed by – Michael H. Brauer at Brauer Sound Studios
    New York, NYC
    Metropole Recording & Mixing – Paul Pouwer
    Mastered by – Pete Lyman at Infrasonic Sound Studios

    Recording Assistant – Robert Kelps
    Mixing assistant & protools engineer – Noah Steinberg
    Editing – Jomar Marrero & Henry Cole

    Cover Art by – Martin Garcia Rivera
    Graphic Design by – Abdiel Flores

    Photo & Video by – Pipo Exe & Jerome Stoope

    www.henry-cole.com/buscandolavida

    Includes unlimited streaming of Buscando La Vida via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 10 days
    edition of 300 

      $30 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Puerto Rican master drummer, composer, arranger Henry Cole is thrilled to announce the release of Buscando La Vida, a new full-length recording with his dynamic ensemble Villa Locura. Due out for release on November 19, this bold, life-affirming work commissioned by Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works finds the Grammy-winning musical polymath in a highly creative and expressive state. Augmented by the renowned Metropole Orkest, and featuring an eclectic cast of top-notch collaborators including Antibalas frontman Duke Amayo and MC Negro González, Buscando La Vida showcases Cole’s extraordinary and expansive vision.

    A native of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Cole’s cross-cultural style draws on African, Indigenous, and European influences and positions him at the forefront of jazz innovation and 21st-century rhythms. “If I had been a Puerto Rican musician playing a few centuries ago, I would have had the same kind of influences,” explains Cole. “They’ve come together to create a mestizo sound, and I’m carrying that forward.” In 2012, inspired by Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa 70 with Ginger Baker, Cole’s Roots Before Branches garnered superb reviews from the New York Times, World Music Report, and Jazz Times among others. National Public Radio declared the album “One of the Five New Directions in Jazz Evolution,” and jazz icon Chick Corea praised Cole for “beautifully expanding on the traditions he grew up with.”

    Over the years, Cole’s power and versatility have proven indispensable to the world’s most acclaimed jazz groups, including The Miguel Zenón Quartet, David Sánchez, The Gary Burton Quartet, Fabian Almazan Rhizome, the Ben Wendell Quartet, the All-Star quartet 90 Miles, and Chano Dominguez as well as the groups Chambao, Calle 13, Residente, Siete Nueve, Balún and Draco Rosa.

    The last few years have been a whirlwind for Cole. Six months to the COVID-19 shutdown, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed Cole’s New York City apartment. Two months later, he relocated to his native Puerto Rico, and “started from zero.” These plans were disrupted when the world shut down in March 2020, creating an even more tenuous situation. Concurrently, Cole received some welcome news: The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation was giving him a New Jazz Works grant. As one of the only Puerto Ricans to ever be granted this honor, Cole felt an immense responsibility to create something that would be representative of his work, and of his native Puerto Rico. “Losing a home - and then having to do all the work that comes with that gives no time to complain or overthink. It's about action. These are the so-called "fight or flight" situations. When faced with life-threatening conditions, we can access our "superpowers," which is what this album is all about,” reflects Cole.

    Throughout the pandemic, Cole kept busy by working on Buscando when he could, and by releasing singles with Villa Locura including “El Diablo” with Tito Allen, “Caminando” with Tego Calderon, “Si Va’llover” with Alex Lopez “El Callejero,” and “Atiende” with Andy Montañez. With the support of the New Jazz Works grant, Cole was able to broaden his scope for this new project and unleash his own “superpowers” in spite of the poor state of the world around him. “Death became the word of the day," writes Cole in the liner notes, "the death of humans, work, faith, plans, bank accounts and so much more. In the middle of so much death, I decided to look for life.”

    Featuring eight original compositions by Cole, Buscando La Vida is rooted in jazz, but features strong elements of funk, Afrobeat, soul and hiphop, synthesized through Cole’s singular vision. Some of the selections were inspired by feelings; the cinematic opening “No Estamos Solo” (“We Are Not Alone”) is a colorful showcase for the Metropole Orkest in particular and was written as a reflection on unexpectedly crossing paths with like-minded people and realizing we, as a people, are not alone. Some are more personal: “Y en Sueños te Persigo” (“And in Dreams I Chase You”) is about being “so obsessed with an idea, the creator pursues it in dreams” and “Dime Donde Estas” (Tell Me Where You Are), and “ H.C.S.” are dedicated to Cole’s estranged father, Henry Cole Simon. “De Frente” (Head On), a genre-mashup featuring the sharp-tounged Negro Gonzalez, is a meditation on confronting and taking responsibility for one’s life, including all its positive and negative qualities while “Azul Turquesa” (Blue Turquoise) is a reflective love song. “Shinobi (He Who Hides)” is dedicated to the figure of the ninja - a figure of inspiration for Cole that speaks to the ability to develop a “killer” instinct ability without sacrificing one’s essence. The vibrant closer “Vueltas” (Turns) pays homage to the community that created the Delta Blues and its relation to the Puerto Rican Jibaro, and, as Cole says, “the "gatekeeper" to our hearts.”

    “Every move, idea, melody, rhythm, and concept on this project is fueled by the "fight or fly" energy we carry – the life inside us and around us. The only way we could complete this project was to adapt to what was possible during the pandemic and never for a minute lose faith or focus, and by working as a family. Buscando La Vida is a testament to courage and excellence during the worst moments. Also, the collaboration with the Metropole Orkest takes our culture, the group, and Puerto Rico to new places in history,” shares Cole.

    Track Listing:
    1. No Estamos Solos (ft. Metropole Orkest) (7:58)
    2. Y En Sueños Te Persigo (8:33)
    3. Dime Dónde Estas (4:22)
    4. H.C.S (1:01)
    5. De Frente (ft. Negro González) (4:15) 6. Azul Turquesa (6:12)
    7. Shinobi (He Who Hides) (4:06)
    8. Vueltas (Feat. Duke Amayo) (7:36)


    Credits:
    Henry Cole – Drums, Synths, Rhodes Metropole Orkest
    Jahaziel Garcia – Trumpet
    Jonathan Acevedo – Tenor Sax
    Andrew Gutauskas – Baritone Sax
    Kalani Trinidad – Flute
    Benito Diaz - French Horn (3&4)
    Randy Roman - Trombone (3&4)
    Giovanny De La Rosa – Guitar
    Javier Perez – Guitar
    Ricardo Rodriguez - Bass
    Emanuel Rivera Gambaro – Keyboards,Synths
    Alberto “Beto” Torrens – Barril
    Bryant Huffman – Chekere
    Duke Amayo – Main Vocals (8)
    Negro González – Main Vocals (5)
    Antoinette Rodriguez – Backup vocals (8)
    Melissa Orsini – Backup vocals (8)
    Dayanira Arzuaga – Backup vocals (8)
    Génesis Z. Cordero – Backup vocals (8)

    Music written by Henry Cole
    Lyrics by Negro González, Duke Amayo
    Produced by Henry Cole
    Soren Moller - “No Estamos Solos” Orchestration & Arrangement

    Recorded by – Julio Gonzalez at El Padrino Recording Studio
    San Juan, Puerto Rico
    Mixed by – Michael H. Brauer at Brauer Sound Studios
    New York, NYC
    Metropole Recording & Mixing – Paul Pouwer
    Mastered by – Pete Lyman at Infrasonic Sound Studios

    Recording Assistant – Robert Kelps
    Mixing assistant & protools engineer – Noah Steinberg
    Editing – Jomar Marrero & Henry Cole

    Cover Art by – Martin Garcia Rivera
    Graphic Design by – Abdiel Flores

    Photo & Video by – Pipo Exe & Jerome Stoope

    www.henry-cole.com/buscandolavida

    Includes unlimited streaming of Buscando La Vida via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 10 days
    edition of 300 

      $25 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 USD  or more

     

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H.C.S 01:00
5.
De frente me zumbo, yo solo me alumbro, entiende, soy otro cambumbo Me compongo cuando me derrumbo, cojo aire, vuelvo me hundo Enfrento mi rumbo, en el que retumbo Pa’ mentes pequeñas un sonido Jumbo De Villa Locura a las calles de Bourbon, En mi candungo, corriendo el mundo En altas y bajas, fuera de la caja Siempre pa’lante, apuesto a mis barajas Un palo ‘e caña, de piña por Lajas, siempre rodeao de los más que trabajan De tripas corazones, acá se fajan El menos que tiene, te da sus migajas Sinos aprietan, nadie se relaja, Cerramos los ojos y todo encaja Siempre agusao, buscando la manera, A machete forjando mi carretera No me he doblao ante una billetera, me he arodillao frente a mi santa “agüela” Buscando la rabia en la esquina rumbera, buscando la paz por tó la cordillera Buscando pelea pa’ tumbar la frontera, Buscando la vida por toda la esfera Buscaba Guayaba como Rubén, Buscando America yo también La visa pa’ un sueño por RD, La copa del mundo como MBappé Nunca una copia que va a fallecer Siempre original quiero trascender Letra de NEGRO GONZALEZ
6.
7.
8.
GATE KEEPER (Lyrics by Duke Amayo ASCAP) VERSE 1 GATE KEEPER O PLEASE OPEN THE GATES TO OUR HEARTS Yeah yeah WANNER GO BACK TO MOTHER, MOTHER, MOTHER WOMB GATE KEEPER O ̀́̀́̀́̀́ JỌWỌ, JỌWỌ, JỌWỌ, JỌWỌ ÓOÒ SIǸ WÁ ÓOÒ ÌWỌ́ LÓ LÀNÀ ÉSHÙ O MOJÚBÀ ÌWỌ́ LÓ LÀNÀ ÌWỌ́ LÓ, ÌWỌ́ LÓ LÀNÀ FÚNMI ÌWỌ́ LÓ LÀNÀ LÀNÀ, LÀNÀ, LÀNÀ, LÀNÀ O OYA OYA O - ìwọ́ ló lànà - ìwọ́ ló lànà - ìwọ́ ló lànà ÌWỌ́ LÓ LÀNÀ, LÀNÀ, LÀNÀ O ON THE CROSSROAD OF DECISION WOULD YOU GO RIGHT WOULD YOU GO LEFT IT NO MATTA IT NO MATTA OPEN GATE KEEPER... CHORUS: - ìwọ́ ló lànà - ìwọ́ ló lànà - ìwọ́ ló lànà - ìwọ́ ló lànà - ìwọ́ ló lànà - ìwọ́ ló lànà GATE KEEPER PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR TO OUR HEARTS, TO OUR HEARTS LETS GO... NA NA NA NA.... VERSE 2 ÉSHÙ O, MOJÚBÀ JỌ̀ WỌ́ BÁ WA SHE ÌWỌ́ LÓ LÀNÀ ÉSHÙ O, MOJÚBÀ JỌ̀ WỌ́ BÁ WA SHE ÌWỌ́ LÓ LÀNÀ OMI DÍDÙN RÉ O GATE KEEPER OFFER SWEET WATER IN GRATITUDE OMI DÍDÙN RÉ O GATE KEEPER I OFFER SWEET WATER GUIDE US THROUGH O OYA OYA JỌ̀WỌ́ BÁWA LỌỌ́ ’LÉ YEMOJA LỌỌ́ ’LÉ PUETO RICO LỌỌ́ ’LÉ LỌỌ́ ’LÉ DIASPORA JỌ̀ WỌ́ JỌ̀ WỌ́ O GBÉWA LỌỌ́ ’LÉ OYA OYA SWEET WATER - lọọ́’lé lọọ́’lé, jọ̀wọ́ o gbéwa lọọ́’lé OFFER YOU O O - lọọ́’lé lọọ́’lé, jọ̀wọ́ o gbéwa lọọ́’lé OMI DÍDÙN RÉ SWEET WATER- lọọ́’lé lọọ́’lé, jọ̀wọ́ o gbéwa lọọ́’lé - lọọ́’lé lọọ́’lé, jọ̀wọ́ o gbéwa lọọ́’lé SWEET WATER GUIDE US, GUIDE US O OFFER SWEET WATER GUIDE US THROUGH GBÉWA LỌỌ́ ’LÉ LỌỌ́ ’LÉ YEMOJA LỌỌ́ ’LÉ PUETO RICO LỌỌ́ ’LÉ LỌỌ́ ’LÉ DIASPORA ÉSHÙ O

about

Puerto Rican master drummer, composer, arranger Henry Cole is thrilled to announce the release of Buscando La Vida, a new full-length recording with his dynamic ensemble Villa Locura.

Due out for release on November 19, this bold, life-affirming work commissioned by Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works finds the Grammy-winning musical polymath in a highly creative and expressive state. Augmented by the renowned Metropole Orkest, and featuring an eclectic cast of top-notch collaborators including Antibalas frontman Duke Amayo and MC Negro González, Buscando La Vida showcases Cole’s extraordinary and expansive vision.

A native of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Cole’s cross-cultural style draws on African, Indigenous, and European influences and positions him at the forefront of jazz innovation and 21st-century rhythms. “If I had been a Puerto Rican musician playing a few centuries ago, I would have had the same kind of influences,” explains Cole. “They’ve come together to create a mestizo sound, and I’m carrying that forward.”

In 2012, inspired by Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa 70 with Ginger Baker, Cole’s Roots Before Branches garnered superb reviews from the New York Times, World Music Report, and Jazz Times among others. National Public Radio declared the album “One of the Five New Directions in Jazz Evolution,” and jazz icon Chick Corea praised Cole for “beautifully expanding on the traditions he grew up with.”

Over the years, Cole’s power and versatility have proven indispensable to the world’s most acclaimed jazz groups, including The Miguel Zenón Quartet, David Sánchez, The Gary Burton Quartet, Fabian Almazan Rhizome, the Ben Wendell Quartet, the All-Star quartet 90 Miles, and Chano Dominguez as well as the groups Chambao, Calle 13, Residente, Siete Nueve, Balún and Draco Rosa.

The last few years have been a whirlwind for Cole. Six months to the COVID-19 shutdown, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed Cole’s New York City apartment. Two months later, he relocated to his native Puerto Rico, and “started from zero.” These plans were disrupted when the world shut down in March 2020, creating an even more tenuous situation. Concurrently, Cole received some welcome news: The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation was giving him a New Jazz Works grant. As one of the only Puerto Ricans to ever be granted this honor, Cole felt an immense responsibility to create something that would be representative of his work, and of his native Puerto Rico.

“Losing a home - and then having to do all the work that comes with that gives no time to complain or overthink. It's about action. These are the so-called "fight or flight" situations. When faced with life-threatening conditions, we can access our "superpowers," which is what this album is all about,” reflects Cole.

Throughout the pandemic, Cole kept busy by working on Buscando when he could, and by releasing singles with Villa Locura including “El Diablo” with Tito Allen, “Caminando” with Tego Calderon, “Si Va’llover” with Alex Lopez “El Callejero,” and “Atiende” with Andy Montañez.

With the support of the New Jazz Works grant, Cole was able to broaden his scope for this new project and unleash his own “superpowers” in spite of the poor state of the world around him. “Death became the word of the day," writes Cole in the liner notes, "the death of humans, work, faith, plans, bank accounts and so much more. In the middle of so much death, I decided to look for life.”

Featuring eight original compositions by Cole, Buscando La Vida is rooted in jazz, but features strong elements of funk, Afrobeat, soul and hiphop, synthesized through Cole’s singular vision.

Some of the selections were inspired by feelings; the cinematic opening “No Estamos Solo” (“We Are Not Alone”) is a colorful showcase for the Metropole Orkest in particular and was written as a reflection on unexpectedly crossing paths with like-minded people and realizing we, as a people, are not alone. Some are more personal: “Y en Sueños te Persigo” (“And in Dreams I Chase You”) is about being “so obsessed with an idea, the creator pursues it in dreams” and “Dime Donde Estas” (Tell Me Where You Are), and “ H.C.S.” are dedicated to Cole’s estranged father, Henry Cole Simon. “De Frente” (Head On), a genre-mashup featuring the sharp-tounged Negro Gonzalez, is a meditation on confronting and taking responsibility for one’s life, including all its positive and negative qualities while “Azul Turquesa” (Blue Turquoise) is a reflective love song. “Shinobi (He Who Hides)” is dedicated to the figure of the ninja - a figure of inspiration for Cole that speaks to the ability to develop a “killer” instinct ability without sacrificing one’s essence. The vibrant closer “Vueltas” (Turns) pays homage to the community that created the Delta Blues and its relation to the Puerto Rican Jibaro, and, as Cole says, “the "gatekeeper" to our hearts.”

“Every move, idea, melody, rhythm, and concept on this project is fueled by the "fight or fly" energy we carry – the life inside us and around us.

The only way we could complete this project was to adapt to what was possible during the pandemic and never for a minute lose faith or focus, and by working as a family. Buscando La Vida is a testament to courage and excellence during the worst moments.

Also, the collaboration with the Metropole Orkest takes our culture, the group, and Puerto Rico to new places in history,” shares Cole.

BUSCANDO LA VIDA will be released on LA MUSICA ARTESANAL on Vinyl, CD, and Digital Formats on Friday, November 19, 2021.

credits

released November 19, 2021

Henry Cole – Drums, Synths, Rhodes Metropole Orkest
Jahaziel Garcia – Trumpet
Jonathan Acevedo – Tenor Sax
Andrew Gutauskas – Baritone Sax
Benito Diaz – French Horn (3&4)
Randy Roman – Trombone (3&4)
Kalani Trinidad – Flute
Giovanny De La Rosa – Electric Guitar
Javier Perez – Electric Guitar
Ricardo Rodriguez – Electric Bass
Emanuel Rivera Gambaro – Keyboards, Synths
Alberto “Beto” Torrens – Barril
Bryant Huffman – Chekere
Duke Amayo – Main Vocals (8)
Negro González – Main Vocals (5)
Antoinette Rodriguez
Melissa Orsini
Dayanira Arzuaga
Génesis Z. Cordero – Backup vocals (8)

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about

Henry Cole & Villa Locura Puerto Rico

Henry Cole is a shape-shifting drummer whose versatile, multicultural style positions him at the forefront of a growing wave of jazz innovation and cross-cultural 21st-century rhythms.
A Grammy award winner, Multi-time Grammy nominee, master drummer, composer and skilled arranger.
His sonic roots - African, Indigenous, and European - have come together to create a unique mestizo sound.
... more

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