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Bruca manigu

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Wikipedia article




"'Bruca manigu'" is an afro-son composed by Arsenio Rodrguez in 1937. It was first recorded by Orquesta Casino de la Playa featuring Miguelito Valds on vocals in June 1937. Ever since it has become a Cuban son standard, with famous versions by Abelardo Barroso, Sierra Maestra, Buena Vista Social Club and Ibrahim Ferrer. The song, which has been called "a landmark in the development of Cuban popular music" by Ned Sublette, was Arsenio Rodrguez's first hit and an example of his Afro-Cuban style of son within the afrocubanismo movement.

History



Both the lyrics and the music of the song were written in 1937 by Arsenio Rodrguez, who at the time was 25 years old and the 'de facto' musical director of the Septeto Bellamar, which he had joined in 1934. The popularity of the group made him become acquainted with important musicians such as Antonio Arcao and Miguelito Valds.Garca pp. 34-35. The latter was the singer of the famous big band Orquesta Casino de la Playa and in June 1937, Valds decided to record two of Rodrguez's songs. One was "Bruca manigu" and the other one was "Ben ac Tom". Both songs were released as A-sides of their respective singles, but only "Bruca manigu" (with the bolero son "Dolor cobarde" as B-side) achieved international success, marking the start of Rodrguez's rise to fame.Garca pp. 17, 35.

Music



Although the song was labeled as a "conga" on the original 78 rpm single by RCA Victor, it is in fact an afro-son, i.e. a son montuno combined with African motifs.Liner notes of 'Buena Vista Social Club Presents: Ibrahim Ferrer' (World Circuit WCD055, 1999), p. 6. The song, notable for its complex harmonies, is divided into two parts; the first part is slow and includes three verses, whereas the second part is faster, with repeated chorus lines such as "Ynyere bruca manigu" and "Chchere bruca manigu, ae". The rhythmic cell is featured prominently in the song.

Lyrics



The lyrics of the song are written in the first person. The first verse of the song makes a statement about the freedom of African slaves and their descendants in Cuba: "'Yo soy carabal, negro de nacin; sin la libertad, no puedo vivir'" ("I am carabal, black of nation; without freedom, I can't live"). The term "carabal" refers to a Cuban ethnic group comprising descendants of inhabitants of the Calabar region in Nigeria. "Negro de nacin" was a common term in Cuba to refer to black slaves.

The song is written in a form of creolized Spanish known as "bozal" (a term equivalent to "negro de nacin"), combining Spanish with "lengua palera", the Kikongo dialect used in Palo Monte. In a 1964 interview, Rodrguez explained that the lyrics were written in the "Congo" language of his ancestors.Garca p. 22. Both the usage of bozal (or "neobozal", according to Ned Sublette) and the thematic elements of the song fall within the context of the afrocubanismo movement which had started in the 1920s as an attempt to acknowledge and preserve Afro-Cuban culture.

Other versions



The earliest versions recorded after Casino de la Playa's were done also in 1937. Cuarteto Caney recorded a version for Columbia featuring Panchito Riset on vocals. Another recording, by Xavier Cugat and his orchestra featuring Alfredo Valds on vocals, is also very similar to the original and was directed at the American market. In 1938, Alfredo Valds recorded another version, this time with Nilo Menndez. Both versions with Alfredo Valds on vocals were released by RCA Victor.

In the 1950s, "Bruca manigu" became the title track of an LP recorded by Abelardo Barroso and his band, Orquesta Sensacin, for Puchito.

Arsenio Rodrguez himself recorded a version of the song for his 1963 album 'Quindembo Afro Magic La Magia de Arsenio Rodrguez'.

In 1998, revivalist band Sierra Maestra recorded the song for the album 'Coco mai mai'. Similarly, "Bruca manigu" was one of the classic Cuban songs in the repertoire of Buena Vista Social Club, including it in Ibrahim Ferrer's 1999 album 'Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer', as well as their archival album 'Lost and Found', released in 2015.

See also



*Arsenio Rodrguez discography

Notes



References



Category:Cuban songs

Category:Spanish-language songs

Category:1937 songs

Category:RCA Victor singles

Category:1937 singles

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