Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana, Becky G, Tal Wilkenfeld, Tito Puente Jr., and more have teamed up for a global rendition of beloved Latin groove “Oye Como Va” as part of the Song Around The World video series from Playing For Change.
As Playing For Change co-founder Mark Johnson told Rolling Stone about the new collaboration, “This song is so full of positive energy and soul that it makes people feel joy and that’s one of the best things music can do to change the world. When we feel the love we have more to give and a deeper connection to our shared humanity. The time is now to unite as a human race and music is the best tool we have to make that happen.”
Santana is quite familiar with the Tito Puente classic. His own recording of the danceable track on 1970’s Abraxas has become a hit around the world and has remained a staple of his live shows since then.
Punte’s son, Tito Puente Jr., also contributes to the Song Around The World recording. “He would be honored, as am I,” Tito Puente Jr. said about the newly reimagined take on his father’s song. “The song has always been close to the Puente Family and he would want to see the people of this planet still dancing to his music over 50 years later.”
In the style that has become well-known through previous Song Around The World installment, the accompanying video shows the various musicians contributing their parts from all over the globe. Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana check in on guitar and drums, respectively, from Kauai, Hawaii. Tal Wilkenfeld lays down the low end and Becky G croons from Venice Beach, CA. Puente adds percussion from Miami, FL. Washboard Chaz adds some rhythmic texture from a street corner in New Orleans. Karl Perazzo hits the congas from San Francisco. Jose´Valdés Terán and Manuel Pérez Selinas sing the timeless words from Palenque, Colombia. Rubén Rada and family join in from Montevideo, Uruguay. Together they bring this easy-going anthem to life from afar, once again affirming the power of music in sparking happiness and bringing us all a little closer together.
Other ambitious group recordings that Johnson and Playing For Change have constructed include “Stand By Me”, “La Bamba”, “All Along The Watchtower”, “The Weight” (featuring Robbie Robertson, Ringo Starr, and Marcus King), “Iko Iko” (featuring the late Dr. John as well as members of The Meters and The Grateful Dead), and “Peace Train” (featuring Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Keb’ Mo’, and Rhiannon Giddens). Head to the organization’s YouTube page to experience more international group performances.
Watch the “Oye Como Va” video and check out a full list of contributing artists below. Download the collaboration here.
Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana, Talk Wilkenfeld, More – “Oye Como Va” (Tito Puente) – Playing For Change