I'M BACK FROM A LONG HIATUS

I have been away from this blog a very long time-a couple of years almost. I got bored with updating it. Now I have got the urge to "get back in the saddle again." and throw out a few posts to see if anyone out there is interested in my topics and comments.

The thing that prodded me to begin posting again was a video clip I found on YouTube:


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It was nice to see a martial artist inspired by a conguero's improvised "pulse." What makes this clip even more interesting is that I have the CD of drumming music for martial artists by Buddy Helm ( it is available on the DOG BROTHERS website ). and the fellow "dancing" in the clip is a student of Dan Inosanto. I trained at Inosanto's Filipino Kali Academy for a brief period back in 1975 ( Richard Bustillo was my guro / teacher ). There was always something "percussion oriented" in the air at the Kali Academy...even when there was dead silence in the training area. Yeah, I know that sounds like a contradiction in terms, but, for those of us who trained there "back in the day" it makes perfect sense ( think of a salsa dancer practicing without a partner and / or without background music...they know how to "image" both a partner and a pulse "magically." ).

Somehow that led me to a column on the STICKMANS ESCRIMA BLOG that mentioned a few things about music, rhythm, drumming, and martial arts. Sweet stuff indeed.

I have not been doing martial arts during my hiatus from this blog. I have been going deep into the world of defensive firearms. It has always been my contention that anyone who is serious about martial arts training as a survival tool will commence their training with air-gun ( bb or pellet pistol and rifle ) plinking, then on to .22 caliber rifle shooting, then on to .22 pistol training, then on to M-1, AR-15 training, and shotgun training, then on to revolver and semi-automatic pistol study combined with how to use rifles and shotguns in CQC, and finally on to concealed carry "draw" skills. Then teach basic boxing and basic Muay knees, feet, and elbows. That will give you the "roots" you need for real world street survival. You can add any martial arts system or systems you want to that basic template if you have an interest in such. I would master that basic training template, and then slpend my money on drums, music, and salsa dance study. Look at what salsa did for the late, great Sonny Umpad:



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And, before I end this post and go get some rest, here is an inspirational clip for those of you who are into conga drumming and percussion studies of any sort. Enjoy!

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...and a taste of Francisco Aguabella playing with "the orishas":

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...and what follows is the late Tata Guines jamming with Armando Peraza and the group known as CUBANISMO:

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...NOW TO END THIS PARTICULAR ( COMEBACK ) BLOG POST-CHECK OUT THE GREAT TIMBALERO ORESTES VILATO "LIVE":

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