Rubén Rada
Encyclopedia
Rubén Rada is an Afro-Uruguayan
percussionist, composer and singer. He is closely associated with Candombe
, an Afro–Uruguayan rhythmic style music, which is based on the sound of three types of drums: ´chico´, ‘repique’ and ‘piano’. Rada has recorded more than 30 albums, which today are considered Uruguayan classics.
Rada had a prominent role in the evolution of modern Candombe music by blending it to a great variety of musical styles and instruments not traditionally linked to this genre of music. He is founder of the candombe-beat and the author of some of the most beautiful songs that Uruguay has given. His music combines pop stylings with typically Uruguayan sounds like those of the candombe drums and of the murga
choruses typical of the Uruguayan Carnival
.
In 1965 together with Eduardo Mateo
, he formed the band El Kinto Conjunto. This was the first group in Uruguay to create the beat genre in Spanish (Castilian) and to fuse rock with Latin American elements unprecedented in first world formats. In 1969 the success of his Candombe song ‘Las Manzanas’ (‘The Apples’), introduced him as a solo artist to a first album and led him to participate in Rio de Janeiro’s Festival of Popular Music. A year later he formed the band TÓTEM
, one of the pillars of national rock music. Tótem was one of the most important massive phenomena of Uruguayan music and represented the height of the Candombe beat. In total he has recorded more than thirty albums, his latest being "Fan" (2009). Many of his albums are considered Uruguayan classics.
Besides being well-known in Uruguay, Rada has also achieved some measure of renown outside the country and has made a number of recordings under international labels including EMI Latin
and Universal Records
.
As a renowned composer, his songs are played worldwide and have been recorded by international music celebrities to the likes of Milton Nascimento Lifetime Achievement Award, in Las Vegas. Lanny Hall, and Herb Alpert
. Rada was invited by Jon Anderson
and Joan Manuel Serrat
to feature in their albums ‘Deseo’ (‘Desire’) and ‘Utopía’ (‘Utopia’), respectively.
In 1977, he traveled to the United States invited by the Fattoruso Brothers to play with the group OPA
. He remained in the United States until 1978 where he performed together with Ray Barreto, Tom Scott
, Flora Purim
, Hermeto Pascoal
, amongst others.
Between 1991 and 1994, he settled in Mexico, where he worked as a composer and arranger for renowned local musicians such as Mijares, Eugenia León, Stephanie Salas
and Tania Libertad
. It was in 1994 when Rada shared the spotlight at Mexico City's ‘Palacio de Deportes’ with Sting and UB40
.
His records from World Music ‘Montevideo’ and ‘Montevideo II’, which were recorded in New York City and edited in 1996 and 1999 respectively, feature musicians such as Hiram Bullock, Bakithi Kumalo, Hugo Fattoruso, José Pedro Beledo, Antón Fig and Ringo Thielmann. ‘Montevideo’ reached platinum sales in Uruguay and was edited in Argentina, Japan, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany and the United States.
In Argentina, he also became extremely popular and recorded many albums. His awarded album ¿Quién va a cantar? (‘Who is going to sing?’), produced by Cachorro Lopez, is Triple - Platinum Album in Uruguay and Gold Album in Argentina.
British singer Paul McCartney
and Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento
are among Rada's admirers.
He voiced the part of Lucius Best/Frozone in the 2004 Argentinian dubbing of The Incredibles
. He has also directed radio and TV shows such as Radar (radio) and El Teléfono (TV).
Since October 2007 he also stars in a sitcom called "La oveja negra" (The black sheep).
In April 2010, the third round of the series LifeLines at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt
in Berlin pays tribute to Rubén Rada. Three days of concerts and discussions about his life and career as part of the project Bicentenario - focusing on 200 years of independence movements in Latin America,
On July 26, 2011, it was announced by The Latin Recording Academy that Rubén Rada will be honored with The Latin Recording Academy®'s Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor will be acknowledged at a special invitation-only ceremony on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas as part of the weeklong Latin Grammy Award celebration.
The albums “Magic Time” (Opa – Fantasy Records), “Montevideo” and “Montevideo Dos” (Big World) were released in the USA, Japan, France, Italy, Sweden and Germany.
RELEASED IN ARGENTINA:
Afro-Uruguayan
Afro-Uruguayan refers to Uruguayans of Black African ancestry. Almost a third is found in Montevideo.-History:It is often asserted in the academic literature on Uruguay that the presence and role of Africans in the development of this nation are overlooked. However, Afro-Uruguayans greatly...
percussionist, composer and singer. He is closely associated with Candombe
Candombe
Candombe is a musical genre that has its roots in the African Bantu, and is proper of Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil .Uruguayan Candombe is the most practiced and spread internationally and has been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity...
, an Afro–Uruguayan rhythmic style music, which is based on the sound of three types of drums: ´chico´, ‘repique’ and ‘piano’. Rada has recorded more than 30 albums, which today are considered Uruguayan classics.
Rada had a prominent role in the evolution of modern Candombe music by blending it to a great variety of musical styles and instruments not traditionally linked to this genre of music. He is founder of the candombe-beat and the author of some of the most beautiful songs that Uruguay has given. His music combines pop stylings with typically Uruguayan sounds like those of the candombe drums and of the murga
Murga
Murga is a form of popular musical theatre performed in Uruguay and in Argentina during the Carnival season. Murga groups operate in Montevideo and at the Buenos Aires Carnival, though to a lesser extent than in Montevideo; the Argentine murga is more centred on dancing and less on vocals than the...
choruses typical of the Uruguayan Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
.
In 1965 together with Eduardo Mateo
Eduardo Mateo
Eduardo Mateo was a Uruguayan singer, songwriter, guitarist and arranger. He played a key role in the development of the modern Uruguayan music mixing beat, jazz, bossa nova and local rhythms like candombe, in a similar way than Brazilian Tropicalismo.Musicians like Academy Award winner Jorge...
, he formed the band El Kinto Conjunto. This was the first group in Uruguay to create the beat genre in Spanish (Castilian) and to fuse rock with Latin American elements unprecedented in first world formats. In 1969 the success of his Candombe song ‘Las Manzanas’ (‘The Apples’), introduced him as a solo artist to a first album and led him to participate in Rio de Janeiro’s Festival of Popular Music. A year later he formed the band TÓTEM
Tótem
Tótem was an Uruguayan Rock band formed in the early 1970s. One of the most important massive phenomena of Uruguayan music and represented the height of the Candombe beat.-Band members:1971*Ruben Rada...
, one of the pillars of national rock music. Tótem was one of the most important massive phenomena of Uruguayan music and represented the height of the Candombe beat. In total he has recorded more than thirty albums, his latest being "Fan" (2009). Many of his albums are considered Uruguayan classics.
Besides being well-known in Uruguay, Rada has also achieved some measure of renown outside the country and has made a number of recordings under international labels including EMI Latin
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
and Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
.
As a renowned composer, his songs are played worldwide and have been recorded by international music celebrities to the likes of Milton Nascimento Lifetime Achievement Award, in Las Vegas. Lanny Hall, and Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert
Herbert "Herb" Alpert is an American musician most associated with the group variously known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. He is also a recording industry executive — he is the "A" of A&M Records...
. Rada was invited by Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
and Joan Manuel Serrat
Joan Manuel Serrat
Joan Manuel Serrat i Teresa is a Catalan Spanish singer-songwriter.Serrat is considered one of the most important figures of modern, popular music in both the Spanish and Catalan languages...
to feature in their albums ‘Deseo’ (‘Desire’) and ‘Utopía’ (‘Utopia’), respectively.
In 1977, he traveled to the United States invited by the Fattoruso Brothers to play with the group OPA
Opa (band)
Opa was an american Jazz fusion band formed by uruguayan integrants . Started in 1970s, the band released whose two albums in U.S. :Goldenwings and Magic Time ,...
. He remained in the United States until 1978 where he performed together with Ray Barreto, Tom Scott
Tom Scott
Tom Scott may refer to:*Tom Scott , New Zealand cartoonist*Tom Scott , member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame*Tom Scott , coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program...
, Flora Purim
Flora Purim
Flora Purim is a Brazilian jazz singer known primarily for her work in the jazz fusion style. She became prominent for her part in Chick Corea's landmark album Return to Forever...
, Hermeto Pascoal
Hermeto Pascoal
Hermeto Pascoal is a Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in Lagoa da Canoa, Alagoas, Brazil. Pascoal is a greatly beloved musical figure in the history of Brazilian music, known for his abilities at orchestration and improvisation, as well as being a record producer and...
, amongst others.
Between 1991 and 1994, he settled in Mexico, where he worked as a composer and arranger for renowned local musicians such as Mijares, Eugenia León, Stephanie Salas
Stephanie Salas
Stephanie Salas is a Mexican singer/actress. Stephanie Salas was born into one of the most famous showbusiness families in all of Mexico...
and Tania Libertad
Tania Libertad
Tania Libertad de Souza Zúñiga, known as Tania Libertad, is a singer who was born in Peru on October 24, 1952 and has lived in Mexico since 1978....
. It was in 1994 when Rada shared the spotlight at Mexico City's ‘Palacio de Deportes’ with Sting and UB40
UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
.
His records from World Music ‘Montevideo’ and ‘Montevideo II’, which were recorded in New York City and edited in 1996 and 1999 respectively, feature musicians such as Hiram Bullock, Bakithi Kumalo, Hugo Fattoruso, José Pedro Beledo, Antón Fig and Ringo Thielmann. ‘Montevideo’ reached platinum sales in Uruguay and was edited in Argentina, Japan, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany and the United States.
British singer Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
and Brazilian singer Milton Nascimento
Milton Nascimento
-Biography:Nascimento's mother was the maid Maria Nascimento. As a baby, Milton Nascimento was adopted by his mother's former employers: the couple Josino Brito Campos, a banker employee, mathematics teacher and electronic technician; and Lília Silva Campos, a music teacher and choir singer...
are among Rada's admirers.
He voiced the part of Lucius Best/Frozone in the 2004 Argentinian dubbing of The Incredibles
The Incredibles
The Incredibles is a 2004 American computer-animated action-comedy superhero film about a family of superheroes who are forced to hide their powers. It was written and directed by Brad Bird, a former director and executive consultant of The Simpsons, and was produced by Pixar and distributed by...
. He has also directed radio and TV shows such as Radar (radio) and El Teléfono (TV).
Since October 2007 he also stars in a sitcom called "La oveja negra" (The black sheep).
In April 2010, the third round of the series LifeLines at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt
Haus der Kulturen der Welt
The Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin is Germany's national centre for contemporary non-European art. It presents art exhibitions, theater and dance performances, concerts, author readings, films and academic conferences on non-European Visual Art and culture...
in Berlin pays tribute to Rubén Rada. Three days of concerts and discussions about his life and career as part of the project Bicentenario - focusing on 200 years of independence movements in Latin America,
On July 26, 2011, it was announced by The Latin Recording Academy that Rubén Rada will be honored with The Latin Recording Academy®'s Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor will be acknowledged at a special invitation-only ceremony on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas as part of the weeklong Latin Grammy Award celebration.
Discography
RELEASED IN URUGUAY:- 1968 “Circa 1968” (SONDOR)
- 1969 “Las Manzanas” (SONDOR)
- 1970 “Musicasión 4 ½” (SONDOR)
- 1971 “Tótem” (SONDOR)
- 1972 “Descarga” (SONDOR)
- 1972 “Rada” (SONDOR)
- 1974 “Camerata Punta del Este” (SONDOR)
- 1975 “Radeces” (AYUI)
- 1987 “Botija de mi país” (SONDOR)
- 1991 “Físico de Rock” (SONDOR)
- 1992 “Concierto por la vida” (ORFEO)
- 1993 “Lo mejor de Rada” Vol. I (SONDOR)
- 1996 “Botijas Band con Ruben Rada” (ORFEO)
- 1996 “Montevideo” PLATINUM ALBUM (BIG WORLD)
- 1997 “Lo mejor de Rada’ Vol. II (compilation.)(SONDOR)
- 1997 “Miscelánea Negra” PLATINUM ALBUM (AYUI)
- 1998 “Rada en Colores”(Compilation) (EMI)
- 1998 “Tengo un candombe para Gardel” (Compilation.) (REMIX)
- 1998 “Black” PLATINUM ALBUM (UNIVERSAL)
- 1999 “Rada Para Niños” GOLD ALBUM (ZAPATITO)
- 1999 “Montevideo Dos” PLATINUM ALBUM (BIG WORLD)
- 2000 “ La Cosa se Pone Negra” (Compilation) (UNIVERSAL)
- 2000 “¿Quién va a Cantar?” TRIPLE PLATINUM (UNIVERSAL)
- 2001 “Sueños de Niño” GOLD ALBUM (ZAPATITO)
- 2003 “Alegre Caballero” PLATINUM ALBUM (ZAPATITO)
- 2004 “Rubenrá” GOLD ALBUM (ZAPATITO)
- 2005 “Candombe Jazz Tour” (EMI)
- 2006 “Rakatá” (Compilation ) (ZAPATITO)
- 2006 “Richie Silver” (EMI)
- 2007 “Varsovia” con Javier Malosetti (ZAPATITO/ODAY)
- 2008 “Bailongo” PLATINUM ALBUM (S-MUSIC)
- 2009 “Fan” GOLD ALBUM (MMG)
- 2011 “Confidence, Rada Instrumental” (MMG)
- 2011 “El album negro” (Compilation, 3CD sets, 50 master pieces) (MMG)
The albums “Magic Time” (Opa – Fantasy Records), “Montevideo” and “Montevideo Dos” (Big World) were released in the USA, Japan, France, Italy, Sweden and Germany.
RELEASED IN ARGENTINA:
- 1974 “S.O.S.”
- 1980 “La Banda”
- 1981 “La Rada”
- 1982 “En Familia”
- 1983 “La Cosa Se Pone Negra”
- 1984 “Adar Nebur”
- 1986 “La Yapla Mata”
- 1987 “Siete Vidas”
- 1989 “Pa’ los Uruguayos” (MELOPEA)
- 1990 “Las aventuras de R.Rada y Litto Nebbia”(MELOPEA)
- 1991 “Las aventuras de R.Rada y H.Fattoruso” (MELOPEA)
- 1991 “Terapia de Murga” (MELOPEA)
- 1997 “Montevideo” (ARGENDISC)
- 1997 “Miscelánea Negra” (AQUA)
- 1998 “Rada en Colores” (Compilation) (EMI)
- 1998 “Black” (UNIVERSAL)
- 2000 “La Cosa se Pone Negra” (Compilation) (UNIVERSAL)
- 2000 “Quien Va a Cantar” GOLD ALBUM (UNIVERSAL)
- 2003 “Alegre Caballero” GARDEL AWARD (EMI)
- 2004 “Rubenrá” GARDEL AWARD (EMI)
- 2005 “Candombe Jazz Tour” (EMI)
- 2006 “Richie Silver” GARDEL AWARD (EMI)
- 2007 “Varsovia”(Rubén Rada/Javier Malosetti) (S-MUSIC)
- 2008 “Bailongo” (S-MUSIC)
- 2010 “FAN” (Sony MUSIC)
- 2011 “Confidence, Rada Instrumental” (S-MUSIC)
External links
- Rubén Rada's official Web site
- Haus der Kulturen der Welt: Lifelines#3, paid tribute to Uruguay's musical music star Rubén Rada
- Article on culturebase.net: Uruguay’s Undiscovered Giant
- Rubén Rada at All About Jazz
- The Latin Recording Academy®. Press release 2011 Special Awards (Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Awards Presentation)
- Afro-Uruguayan innovator Ruben RADA Receives 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from The Latin Recording Academy
- Special Rubén Rada at 'Encuentro en el Estudio' (TV Program)