Traditional Cuban music, the State Department, and a party trick: Montuno Sampling (Vocal Sampling)

Listen to the songYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz-5NDMYcrESpotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/7aVCFiwe5TipJ6tToCvIWl?si=7bef5111b9724a73Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/montuno-sampling/1290453682Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B075ZQDWXY?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_rJMToaKnfUs5sq7C4vPAqkLeA&trackAsin=B075ZPWNYYOther linksPlaylist of the songs we’ve reviewedYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5bn23baJ4xQ1t0TMqukELY5W95HwuMoTSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gCOF5M0zYS1fBvXgT5ccI?si=7F3yVdEDRRWa_gAArK3AYgKey takeawaysTrist and Elaine discuss “Montuno Sampling,” a 1995 track from Cuban a cappella group Vocal Sampling. This group mimics Latin percussion instruments using only their voices, creating an authentic and rhythmic sound that mirrors traditional Cuban music styles like "son" and salsaElaine and Trist dig into the vocal blend and rhythmic patterns, which reflect Vocal Sampling’s deep connection to Cuban musical heritage, showcasing the tonal and rhythmic nuances of Latin music that are distinct from North American traditionsIn the Mailbag segment, Trist and Elaine dig into the rise of AI in the music industry, emphasizing the importance of human creativity and emotional connection in music-making, which cannot be replicated by algorithmsNote: this episode also has a special bonus episode, which has the full Mailbag segment for those who are interested in the deeper conversation about our relationship to technology and how technology changes how we value analog experiencesAbout usTrist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross.As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent.Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer.