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Vocal Sampling  
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Vocal Sampling is a band where the instruments are sung instead of played. Not only the lead vocal and the background choruses, but all the instruments of the Latin orchestra : percussion, horns, keyboards, bass, and all the other instruments are vocally reproduced. There is no technical trickery and no other instruments.

Vocal Sampling is comprised of six young Cuban men in their twenties, all accomplished instrumentalists and arrangers, who met at music school. What began as an amusing after-school game has become their full-time career. For those new to Latin music, Vocal Sampling is a highly entertaining introduction to the rhythms and styles of Cuban music : guaracha, boleros, rumba, son and swinging salsa. For those familiar with this genre, the group always brings amazement and a smile of delight.

Similar to the doo-wop groups of New York city, Vocal Sampling was formed after school and between classes, standing on the sweeping lawns of Havana's National Superior Institute of Arts. Poney GROSS, of Belgium's ZIG ZAG WORLD, met the group in Cuba while they were still students, and encouraged them to continue this approach. He arranged several European tours for them. Very soon they began to be noticed by artists such as Bobby Mc FERRIN, Peter GABRIEL and David BYRNE. Gabriel brought them to his Real World Studios in Bath, England, where they recorded two songs and Byrne included one of their earliest recordings on his Lukua Bop compilation, Diablo Al Infierno.

In 1992 the group met producer team Sammy FIGUEROA and Rachel FARO, who arranged for them to be signed to Paroli/BMG Music of Köln, Germany. Faro Figueroa Productions produced the group's first album, which attracted the notice of Sire Record's president Seymour STEIN, who immediately began steps to acquire the master. The first album, "Una Forma Mas 20", released in 1995 on Sire/Elektra Records and Warner world wide, was a musical journey through Cuban musical culture, demonstrating several styles of classic Cuban music.

In 1995 the group made a historic tour of the United States where they were an instant success in San Francisco, New York and Puerto Rico, attracting the attention of luminaries such as Paul SIMON and Carlos SANTANA. Since then, they have continued to tour throughout Europe and Latin America, invariably garnering multiple encores and rapturous receptions. In the summer of 1996 they were invited to appear at the 30th Montreux Jazz Festival as the special guests of Quincy JONES for his 50th anniversary, where they shared the stage with Chaka KHAN, Phil COLLINS, David SANDBORN, Mick HUCKNALL and Toots THIELEMANS. In 1997, they were invited for a 3 weeks tour in Japan.

Vocal Sampling released their second album, "De Vacaciones" (East West), produced by Rachel Faro and the band. "De Vacaciones" is almost totally comprised of original compositions and arrangements in a modern salsa style and is sure to be recognised as one of the most amazing a cappella achievements in many years.

In late 1997, the band, created by René BAÑOS, Abel SANABRIA and Reinaldo SANLER, included Jorge NUÑEZ, Renato MORA and Oscar PORRO. This artistic restructuring was executed in order to increase the musical quality of the band and to widen their potential, for example in the field of the classical singing. 1998 is the year of their CD "Live in Berlin" released by Ashé Records. In 1999, the band went to Japan, Venezuela, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Isle of Reunion, Canada, Mexico and all over Europe. In October they made a special concert for the first "World Music Award" at the Womex in Berlin.

In February 2000 they recorded a new CD called "Cambio De Tiempo" and have created a new show under the direction of Katina GENERO (Italy). In August 2000, Vocal Sampling had a sold out performance at the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms late night concert. In December 2000, the band signed with DECCA RECORD for the International release of "Cambio de Tiempo" in 2001.


 
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