Los Van Van - grupo musical - TT: The Van Van - TA: music group - Artículo Breve

Latin Beat Magazine, Oct, 2001 by Jesse Varela

After more than 30 years, Juan Formell y Los Van Van are re-inventing themselves

Juan Formell y Los Van Van are no strangers to the Bay Area and have been making regular visits since their debut in 1997 at Maritime Hall in San Francisco. With a trajectory of superb shows at Stern Grove (SF), Monterey Jazz Festival, New Orleans By The Bay and others, they returned in early June to perform their songo-fueled sounds at San Francisco's Black & White Ball and San José's Mexican Heritage Plaza.

At the B&W Ball they came out supercharged with two new additions to the front line of singers. The new members are Lele Rosales, the son of one of the group's original singers, and Yenisel Valdéz (Orisha), a gifted young female singer formerly with NG La Banda. The charismatic Pedro Calvo is now gone and singing with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, but Mayito Rivera and Roberto Hernández remain, performing hits like Deja La Ira and Amparame.

"La juventud nos interesa. (Youth interest us, and to attract them to our music we need fresh formulas and methods)," said Formell at a Havana press conference in early June. "That is why without altering the sound that identifies us, we are now searching out new possibilities."

Currently, the group is completing its new album, El Son Natural. They performed the title track when they were here (interpreted by Yeni) and it clearly demonstrated what a powerhouse talent she is.

The petite street-style rumbera with a multi-octave range took charge, and like a Cuban India with an R&B inflection, improvised lyrical storytelling inspirations delivered with boundless energy. The charisma she quickly established with the crowd at the Tent Pavilion was magnetic. She has a nice presence on stage and sets the pace for the coros and dance steps. She can also drop some hip-hop.

The music that Los Van Van make is songo, a fusion that happened in 1969 when the trombone-driven son changui stylings of Elio Revé's group (featuring Formell and Changuito) met the string-and-flute charanga. The influence of North American funk, British rock and jazz further fortified the group's musical texture. "Our authentic Cuban root is the point of departure, but we also recognize the influence of the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Now we accept the influences of pop music and other contemporary musical phenomenon."

Los Van Van have been bridge-builders who perform around the world on behalf of their culture. Last year, the group took a hiatus that allowed them to pursue individual projects. Lead singer Mario "Mayito" Rivera launched a solo effort - Pa' bachatear... Chappottín (BIS).

Pianist/arranger/composer César "Pupi" Pedroso, who has written some of Van Van's biggest hits, did Los Que Son, Son (Timba) and even Formell produced La Voz del Son (Timba) for Tiburón Morales of Son 14 fame.

From the sense of vibrancy and youthful energy that they displayed at the B&W Ball (including the next day, where over a 1000 people saw them at the outdoor Mexican Heritage Plaza in San José) Juan Formell and Los Van Van are re-inventing themselves. The inclusion of a woman in the front line is groundbreaking for the group and qualitatively refreshes the band.

After years of writing material designed for men, featuring a female singer opens up new possibilities. Yeni is an exceptional singer with a good voice, a distinct timbre and magnificent intonation.