These audio samples should give you a small taste of the diversity of music I've played over the years, but keep in mind, they only illustrate a very narrow sample of my wide array of experiences.
All of these tracks feature me on bass, but you can also check out the sample arrangements on my site for a significantly different perspective of my music.
This audio sample is actually eight layered tracks of bass - there is no percussion nor any other instrument being played (the clave track is actually bass too). All the tracks were created using a combination of different finger techniques and varying pickup blends. There is no sound that doesn't involve my fingers across the strings (no "hitting" the bass nor tapping on the pickups). All EQ was done directly on the bass and only reverb and delay were added to the end result.
Feel free to contact me to let me know what you think!
This is a beautiful Brazilian samba composed by Djavan; arranged with a strong Cuban influence, incorporating Pilón among other rhythms into the arrangement.
A bass solo is featured on the last chorus while the song fades out (yes, that's a bass solo, not guitar).
Running Time:
3:30
Bass Used:
Five string Ibanez (mahogany, maple & rosewood)
Musicians:
Luis Emilio Ríos - guitar & vocals; Israel "Toto" Berriel - congas & percussion; Hector Cesar - drums & percussion; Daniel Menjivar - bass
A fun descarga influenced by Arístides Soto's Pa' Gozar, and of course, the master Cachao's legendary jam sessions.
This uncharacteristically short descarga was written specifically as a teaser for this demo recording; the solos are very brief while each chorus introduces the players by name.
Running Time:
2:37
Bass Used:
1968 Ampeg Baby Bass (fiberglass composite)
Musicians:
Luis Emilio Ríos - guitar & vocals; Israel "Toto" Berriel - congas, percussion & vocals; Hector Cesar - drums, timbales, percussion & vocals; Daniel Menjivar - bass
Written by Luis Emilio Ríos, and popularized by Gilberto Santa Rosa, Que Manera de Quererte is a wildly popular tune that has received international acclaim and has been recorded by over 50 Latin artists including Albita Rodríguez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle, Xiomara Laugart, Pablo Milanés, Omara Portuondo, Dioni Fernández, Gabino Pampini, Angel Bonne, Carlos Cuevas, Victor Monge, "Serranito" and many others. It was also featured on the soundtrack of the movie The Specialist starting Sylvester Stallone & Sharon Stone.
Running Time:
3:42
Bass Used:
1968 Ampeg Baby Bass (fiberglass composite)
Musicians:
Luis Emilio Ríos - guitar & vocals; Israel "Toto" Berriel - congas, percussion & background vocals; Hector Cesar - drums, timbales, percussion & background vocals; Daniel Menjivar - bass
This tune ends on a polar opposite from how it starts!
A live extended version of a popular Brazilian bossa nova, but played in a danceable Latin Jazz/Salsa/Timba style while subbing in with Calle Latina.
Running Time:
8:48
Bass Used:
Modified six string Ibanez (alder, maple & rosewood)
Musicians:
Luis Emilio Ríos - guitar & vocals; Israel "Toto" Berriel - congas & background vocals; Luis "El Pana" Tovar - drums; Mike Corbett - keyboards; Daniel Menjivar - bass
A live theatre version of the comical reggae Shalamoo Bubblegum, composed by multi-instrumentalist Mike McDonald from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. During Dr. Zoo's Canadian east coast tour in early 2010, this quickly became a big hit in several towns, and despite band leader Randal Arsenault's extensive repertoire, this became the tune his band was best known for amongst the locals.
A live recording (recorded with an iPod recorder from the audience) at the outdoor Latin festival, Expo Latino. In the middle of the tune, it breaks down as a dance troupe entered the stage and performed an extended dance routine for the audience.
Israel "Toto" Berriel - lead vocals & tambora; Cristina Velez - background vocals; Peter Kim - lead trumpet; Oscar Coronado - 2nd trumpet; Stephen Williams - alto sax; Alberto San Martin - piano & background vocals; Raul Tabera - congas; Luis Angel "El Pana" Tovar - güira & bass drum; Daniel Menjivar - bass