1975 Ritmo Oriental - Ahora sí, voy a gozar (Juan Crespo Maza)
bass: Humberto Perera
source: La historia de la Ritmo, Vol. 1

Ahora sí, voy a gozar is one of the greatest dance tracks ever recorded. Like Yo bailo de todo it's based on a simple 2-chord progression but it never seems repetitious because the arrangement is such a perfect blend of sophisticated syncopations and raw rhythmic power.

From a bassist's point of view, what Humberto plays on this track could be a year's study. To do it justice we'll have to depart from our usual approach of isolating tumbaos and just start from the beginning of the track.

Ahora sí, voy a gozar -- cuerpo

audio
MIDI (at tempo con efecto)
MIDI (slow motion - slight efecto at end)
transcription edited by Rob Holland

notes: The first MIDI excerpt uses the tempo map shown in red to approximate the con efecto treatment. Note the "slight pause" at the end of the first line. The second MIDI excerpt is in slow motion and only has a tempo change in the next to last line.

The notation ends with the tumbao 1 - the beginning of the montuno section.

tumbao 1
xx0x 0xxx 0xx0 xxx0 2-3 rumba clave
0xx0 x0x0 x0xx 0x0x basic tumbao 1 -- MIDI

notes: While the notation version obviously allows us to see the notes and variations, the x & 0 version lets us isolate just the rhythm and compare it to the clave and other bass tumbaos. The MIDI file is a 2-clave loop, but, like La chica mamey, it's merely a basic template for extensive and brilliant improvisation by Humberto.