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Watch the new music video Relámpago Negro Release of the fifth single on 16 December 2020 Daniel Puente Encina presents Sangre y Sal's fifth single, Relámpago negro, a great hit with international critics, with an accompanying video. |
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| Listen to the new album Sangre y Sal promises a breathtaking rollercoaster ride of emotions, inspired by Africa, the Criolla music of Peru, Argentina and, obviously, his homeland Chile. Afro-Peruvian beats with a dash of flamenco. Guaguancó (Cuban rumba), Argentinean zamba and Peruvian waltz fuse with Latin swing and boleros to provide an organic, natural whole. It numbers bear witness to the musical odyssey taken by this indomitable artist, who has once again outdone himself in originality, as he does with every new disc. Here, he deals with immoral, unscrupulous powers, perpetual losers and their descent into hell, with failed lives, desperate losers, the sea and our origins, crazy, deadly love, hope, devotion, booze and the ups and downs of the world. |
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| A whirlwind year 2019 was quite the whirlwind for me. I was lucky enough to be able to release my third solo album, to be accompanied by fantastic musicians both whilst recording it and playing it live, and for it to get an amazing reception from critics and the public alike, which is the most any artist can aspire to. I’m proud that Sangre y Sal was album of the week on the Resonancias programme on Germany’s WDR 3 radio station and that, since its launch in the middle of June, 10 of its 11 tracks have been aired on more than 40 stations across Spain, France, Holland and Germany. This past year I had the privilege of giving my first concert in France in the spring, whilst in the summer I played at Bamberg’s famous Jazz- und Blues Festival in Germany and, in the autumn, at Bielefeld, Domicil in Dortmund and Pavillion in Hannover, amongst others. I am particularly happy that, in addition to the public, club promotors and producers were enthusiastic enough to call on me again, despite the great quantity and quality of artists out there doing interesting stuff. Perhaps the crowning achievement for me in 2019 was being honoured with a music award (The Lukas) at a spectacular gala event in England. Unfortunately, the brighter the light, the deeper the shadows. My joy was overshadowed by the uprising in Chile, which began at the same moment time. An uprising against years of inhuman neoliberalism and shameful avarice by the powerful figures in government, who have it all but still crave more. I suffered terribly with every piece of news coming out of Chile, which brought me back to the traumatic times of my childhood and youth there during Pinochet’s dictatorship. Oddly enough, amongst all this darkness and violence, I caught a glimpse of the hope that, some day, and sooner rather than latter, this rapacious neoliberalism will be but a faint memory of an absurd idea, just like so many other beliefs and mythologies that have appeared over the course of human history only to end up as a ridiculous footnote in some dusty textbook laying half-forgotten on a shelf. I hope that the ignorance of those promulgating, on the basis of violence and coercion, the short-sighted and sorry idea of Homo œconomicus, will crumble before the light of a real understanding of what it means to be a human being and our true, humble place in nature. Hope is the last thing to die, as the saying goes. I would like to thank all of those who follow me, who listen to my music and who come to my concerts: personal contact really means the most to me. I particularly wish you all a lot of peace and light for this coming year!!! 01/01/2020 |
 Photo © Elisa Rivera |
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THE LUKAS 2019 (Latin UK Awards) Infinitely grateful to be awarded with "THE LUKAS 2019" (Latin UK Awards), Runner Up in the category "European Jazz/ Folk Act of the Year", I dedicate this award to all those who are currently fighting in the streets for a more just world. A big hug and thanks to everyone who voted for me and also to the jury of The Lukas. Special thanks to all the extraordinary musicians and sound engineers who supported and accompanied me in the last years. Success is never individual, it is always the product of a group of people who come together to make it happen. 11/06/2019 |
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| PRESS REVIEWS - Album Sangre y Sal by Daniel Puente Encina "A fascinating character, and a restless artist. Sangre y Sal takes us on a journey as elegant as it is hypnotising. A range of rhythms and styles as wide and diverse as the very musical geography he dares explore… songs performed with both mastery and a (wonderful) lack of scruples… A voyage across the continents, an undisguised homage from an artist ready and willing to do anything (except take the easy way out)." © Eloy Pérez, RUTA 66, 10/02/2019 "...instantly seductive rhythms that stand out from anything else currently emanating from our loudspeakers... addictively hypnotic music... a wonderfully deep album that if we were forced to choose just one this year, this would undoubtedly be at the top of the list." © Victoriah Szirmai, JAZZTHETIK 07/08-2019 "...full of sophistication and musical originality….highly elegant, varied, entertaining and beautifully performed and produced at the highest level.. Stunning sound... a rebel, and unrepentant pioneer capable of touching the innermost reaches of any heart or mind with his powerful poetry. An artist before whom we simply have no choice but to bow down. Exceptional!" © Eddy Czesnick, SOUNDANALYSE, 06 July 2019 "...one of those records that refreshes your soul... an organic mixture so natural that you immediately wonder who's responsible for it and where they've been for so long... A record like this happens only very rarely in a lifetime, but when it does you have to hold onto it forever." © Dano, PLASMA MAGAZINE 08 July 2019 "...an atmospherically dense work... hypnotic melodies and original rhythms... extraordinary and good" © Chris Strieder, DARKSTARS.DE, June 2019 "...A wonderful journey through South America. Undiluted pleasure... in short: spectacular" © Christoph Speidel, METALGLORY, 17 June 2019 "...without a shadow of a doubt, a real treat for lovers of the genre..." © Ulrike Meyer-Potthoff, TERRORVERLAG WEBZINE, 12 June 2019 "Breathtaking rhythms with melancholic undertones" © Annika Bachem, STADTKIND HANNOVER, June 2019 |
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New single "Love is the Only Sound” out now! Hello everyone, today I present "Love is the Only Sound”, my first single—and also the only song in English—of my new album "Sangre y Sal”. Every Friday in May I will release a new single as a small preview of my upcoming album. Stay tuned. Kisses. Love is the only sound: An amour fou with fatal consequences. Impossible to continue. Impossible to end. Cha-cha-cha, rum and romance in a suffocating atmosphere with an unforgettable sax. Frente al mar (By the sea): Voodo Love! When everything’s going wrong and we forget who we are, love brings us hope. Santería, love and devotion, invoking blessings. Voodoo Love! Batá rhythm and Afro bass. Bipolar: The curse of depression to the rhythm of zamba under the merciless sun of the pampa. A poetic trova theme with a furious ending. Falta de ti (The lack of you): Lack of love amongst mansions, swimming pools and sequins. Cynical, despairing Latin slow swing. 05/10/2019 |
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| "Sangre y Sal" - New album on 14 June Finally, it's ready! Well, they do say that all good things come to those who wait. On 14 June, I'll be releasing my new album Sangre y Sal (Blood and Salt), featuring 11 songs and the participation of leading figures from the international Latin music scene: 04/09/2019 Daniel Puente Encina - Composer, author, vocals, Spanish guitar Carlos Corona - Spanish guitar Trigo Santana - Bass Daniel "Topo" Gioia - Congas, djembe, percussion Laura Robles - Cajón, bass Matteo Bowinkelmann - Calabash Jörg Bücheler - Trombone Han Sato - Tenor sax Pre-order |
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"Sangre y Sal" - Producing a new album Every time I come to producing a new album, it's like a new adventure. A journey into the unknown. Daring to leave behind what you’ve already done to seek out a new future. So here I am again with my pack half full, or half empty, meaning I can use the things I've collected in my previous journey, whilst also having room to pick up whatever I may find along the way. When I embarked upon this journey into the heart of the music of Latin America, my default music, I couldn't begin to imagine how deep this jungle would be, so full of mystery, so full of treasures. The connections are becoming increasingly complex. The centuries lay atop one another in layers, fusing together in rhythms and melodies that tell ancient tales ranging from East to West, that constant cultural flowing of an ocean of blood, tears and dreams. All this dazzling reflection that shines with sublime nostalgia, running from Persia to Al-Andalus, ranging through West Africa, the South American Pacific and the Caribbean, all intertwined and entangled in these songs. Even after so many years in Europe, I still want to sound as Latin and as "real" as possible, while wrestling with the enormous challenge of not forgetting about myself in the attempt. Me, that contradiction and the reflection of the times, that impossible blend of the wonderful music of the twentieth century, the chaos and horror of South America's military dictatorships and the current digital age. That's why I've invoked all these musical spirits from my continent. They torment me, they laugh at me but, in the end, they stand alongside me and guide me. To them, I dedicate this new album, "Sangre y Sal", which I've written and recorded with the idea that it be just a new, small part of something much bigger. 01/24/2019 |
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 Glowing emerald nebula. Photo © NASA/JPL-Caltech Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! My thoughts on the year coming to an end: 2017 was certainly an interesting, very inspiring year, at times exciting and (in general) extremely positive on a personal level, despite the odd hardship and a few frightening scares for dear friends and pets, which I thankfully need not explain in any more detail as they went no further than that, just scares. And despite the now distressingly familiar world political and economic situation, which is enough to make you pull your hair out, with all the selfish and stupid decisions being taken by our current crop of politicians. Decisions that cause so much pain to so many living on the margins of our world, who, unfortunately, still represent the majority of us on this planet. Musically speaking, it was a year of highly enjoyable—or simply spectacular—events, including the concert at the cutting-edge Nordart event and the rediscovery of great Afro-Peruvian music at the hands of some truly brilliant Peruvian musicians who crossed my path. In short, I can only feel truly lucky and very thankful. So, I can only be grateful for this year coming to an end and that about to begin. I wish you all love and peace, and would like to give my heartfelt thanks to all those who have made and are making these years—both coming and going—more caring, more interesting and, in short, more livable. In other words, to all of you. 12/24/2017 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! |
| Furious Latin Grooves Tour 2017 Daniel Puente Encina: "We are ready to kick off our 2017 "Furious Latin Grooves Tour" starting in Berlin in the middle of March. Alongside multi-percussionists Vito Giacovelli from Italy and Jean-Luc Jossa from Luxembourg, French bassist Hugo Reydet, German trombonist Jörg Bücheler and tenor saxophonist Pedro Vera, we are looking forward to meeting people from all over the world who sing and dance with us together during our concerts. I love to do what I am doing. We travel all over and the people who come to my concerts give me the feeling that there is always an "us" enjoying music together irrespective of where they come from. There are so many interesting and creative cultures on this planet we can learn from. So much knowledge to share to make the world a better place. Reach out for the good things in life that matter: Love, respect and faith in each other. I want peace for all of us, and the animals and plants too, as they also inhabit the Earth and they are part of our terrestrial planetary family." 02/09/2017 |
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Daniel Puente Encina feat. New York soul singer Monica Green |
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| Now available on iTunes and Amazon amongst others! Daniel Puente Encina: “After years of casting my critical eye over the technological revolution affecting us all (of which the music industry was the initial pioneer and the first victim), I have now decided—given the clamour from my beloved, faithful fans—to make my musical available on leading platforms like iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc. I don’t want to anyone to go without my music, and now it can be found in digital format, for everyone, around the world. I really hope they’ll all be able to enjoy the warm embrace of this musical hug!” 08/26/2016 |
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May 1st, International Workers' Day: Daniel Puente Encina presents his astonishing new animated music video "Freire"
Freire, a hybrid between a short animation and a music video, created by the team of art director and illustrator Cristián Montes Lynch, tells the tale of a worker at one of the numerous mines dotted throughout the Andes, who has to cycle hours and hours to and from his job. |
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Back from Cuba and fierier than ever - on tour from April with a new sextet! “If it doesn’t move you, you must be dead!” says magazine Rockaxis about Daniel Puente Encina. The Chilean singer, guitarist and composer will be on tour from April on with a new sextet to set the world on fire. Just back from his recent trip to Cuba, the island has had an immediate impac: the sounds inspired by his trip are a complete revelation, resulting in an explosive summer cocktail of Rhythm 'n' Blues mixed with Caribbean rhythms: Boogaloo Blues, Furious 60s Latin Soul and Dixie Country Ska. Accompanied by two magnificent percussionists, Italy’s Vito Giacovelli and Chile’s Dante Parraguez, young and talented Cuban bassist Alberto Sauri and a spectacular brass section, his concerts will be bursting with more groove and energy than ever. The video "Freire", to accompany the tour, will be premiered on May 1st, International Workers' Day. Chilean illustrator Cristián Montes Lynch provides the perfect complement for Daniel’s music. Look out for this visual masterpiece! 03/20/2016 |
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International recognition for Daniel Puente Encina |
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Daniel Puente Encina & Band continue their successful European tour Multicultural quintet Daniel Puente Encina & Band continues to entrance audiences with its addictive live performances. The tour continues, meeting with great public success and outstanding reviews across Europe. This is the first time in his career that Daniel has been accompanied by brass section —a lifelong dream that has now come true, with truly amazing results. The original blend of blues and salsa has gained immediate and enthusiastic acceptance from audiences. Daniel is accompanied by Italian multi-percussionist Vito Giacovelli, Japan’s Akira Ando on bass, Cuban trumpet player Yuliesky González and Japanese saxophonist Han Sato. Check out live action from what the musical scene has dubbed, due to its unique, fantastic sound, the "world’s smallest Big Band". 05/20/2015 |
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 Photo Uwe Merker |
"The craziest concert I’ve ever done" |
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New video "Never choose the Devil" Daniel Puente Encina launches his new video "Never choose the devil", a Boogaloo-Blues number from his album Chocolate con Ají (with chili). This indie-style video embodies the timeless conflicts of a deeply religious sinner gripped by lust. Trapped between morality and desire, Daniel personifies both roles, with a great sense of humor. No surprise here: Daniel loves to experiment not only musically, but also in film, so this time he makes use of superimposition, overlapping images in which reality, fantasy and madness mix and merge with highly amusing results. Shooting took place in Catalonia and Mallorca and includes stunning scenes of the magnificent correfoc. The production team hails from countries as diverse as Spain, Germany and Canada. 11/20/2014 |
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Daniel Puente Encina’s European tour a triumph
This Latin trio are a smash hit: Daniel, alongside Colombian bassist Checho Gómez and Italian percussionist Vito Giacovelli, are making people dance and sing wherever they go. Be it at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, at the launch of their new CD in Berlin, with three performances in Eckernförde to completely packed venues, or at their concerts this summer in the south of Italy, the trio are having and making a whole lot of fun with their music, which public and press alike are acclaiming as “the sensation of the year”. One of the highlights of the German tour will come in October, when they’ll be sharing the stage with Manfred Mann's Earth Band for the second time. 09/15/2014 |
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| Photos ©Roger Askew Tour Photography | ||||
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New album on sale! |
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Recording the base of the new album on Majorca
Recording the base of the new album in Digitals Pro in Cas Català Nou on Majorca con Toni Fernández, Daniel Puente Encina, Pep Lluís García, Pablo di Salvo and Toni Paris. 10/25/2014 |
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| Daniel Puente Encina starts his German tour at the beginning of June The Berlin Umweltfestival and the romantic castl e of Wolfsburg, which provides the setting for the "International Sommerbühne" series of concerts, will be the starting point of Daniel’s tour across the length and breadth of Germany. In Wolfsburg, he will be accompanied by Majorcan percussionist Pep Lluis Garcia and Argentine double bassist Pablo di Salvo, to offer a special repertoire of his "Furious Latin Blues", "Dirty Boogaloo", "Rebel Tango" and "Flamenco Tex Mex". 04/15/2014 |
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| Daniel Puente Encina Trio | ||||
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Monica Green and Daniel Puente Encina record together Just before kicking off his German tour Daniel invited Monica Green, New York soul singer, to the Gerona recording studio 44.1 to take part in the recording of new versions of two of the tracks on his latest album. Their mutual love for Rythm & Blues has brought together these two outstanding artists based in Catalonia. When Monica Green listened to the tracks "Lío" and "Mike Tyson", she fell in love with Daniel´s authenticity and originality. The tracks off his current album "Disparo", with Boogaloo and Rythm & Blues bases, which Daniel defines as "Furious Latin Soul", excited the American singer. "You don’t sound like anyone else,” were her words, “and you have your own style", so Daniel asked her to sing a few lines to add that Motown and Mod touch to the chorus, which both of them hold so dear. 04/30/2013 Video on YouTube |
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| Premiere in Germany: Daniel's diabolic duo thrills with “Furious Latin Soul” in Berlin With percussionist Pep Lluís García he found his perfect match and surprises with this diabolic duo, which thrills with an exceptional and exciting sound. An astonishing Dobro guitar accompanied by congas and cajon, and above all the powerful, charismatic and soulful voice of Daniel create a progressive, new and exciting sound: Latin-Soul, Latin-Rock, Latin-R&B at its best. Pep Lluis García is a drummer and percussionist with a totally original style, the product of a self-taught introduction to music, which has been reinforced by his intensive studies with Peter Erskine, Alex Acuña and Salvador Font and Latin percussion classes with Cuban maestro Miguel Angá Díaz. He has taken part in projects like "la Gran Orquesta Republicana", "the Nash", supporting act for "The Buzzcocks" in England, with whom he toured Europe and part of the United States, the comedy-musical group "Wonderbrass", and he has also accompanied international artists of the stature of Jeanette and Tony Ronald. 01/15/2013 |
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| Photos Roger Askew Photography | ||||
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Daniel Puente Encina releases an album under his own name for the first time |
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