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Los Pleneros de la 21 is a New York-based ensemble of Puerto Rican musicians performing plena, the century-old 'sung newspaper' of Puerto Rico, and bomba, an even older Puerto Rican style rooted in West African music. The rhythmic foundation of the group's playing includes a trio of melodically and rhythmically interlocking hand-held plena drums (panderetas); deep and powerful barrel-shaped bomba drums; and the percussive cua, guiro, and maraca. A complex, evocative chorus responds to the calls of los Pleneros' eloquent and incisive lead singers. Plena has traditionally drawn in musicians playing a wide variety of instruments, and in New York it has incorporated the cuatro, the piano, and the stand-up 'baby' bass. This debut album by los Pleneros de la 21 features a rare guest appearance by the legendary plenero, Angel Luis Torruellas.