Orestes Vilató, It's About Time! (February 12)

Finally Cuban born percussionist Orestes Vilató releases his own CD rightfully titled "It's About Time." The Fania All Star who has played with Latin greats like Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco, La Lupe, Ray Barretto, and Ruben Blades among others shares his unique percussive sound from Cuba to NY, and beyond.

Born in Camagüey, Cuba in 1944 Vilató has reached musical heights that many Latin percussionists only dream of. After living in NY for 25 years and working with the Fania All-Stars Vilató moved to California and joined Carlos Santana paving his path into new musical genres. This led him to work with Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Herbie Hancock, Linda Ronstadt, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Paco De Lucia, Cachao and many others.

The CD "It's About Time" we can finally appreciate Vilató as front man. The CD layers the Cuban music influences from Vilató's homeland; it brings back the NYC salsa that made him famous in the Latin music world, as well as Latin jazz. I have to say it would have been great to hear some Latin rock in this album but I guess we will have to wait for his next album.

This album unites an array of master musicians and vocalists who love and respect Vilató who include Justo Almario, Johnny "Dandy" Rodgriguez, Carlitos Puerto Jr., Adonis Puentes, James Zavaleta, Ramon Stagnaro, Luis Eric Gonzalez, Sean Billings, Alberto Salsa, Rene Camacho, Joey De Leon, and Rebeca Mauleon.

http://blogs.nypost.com/tempo/archives/2009/02/its_about_time.html#more