Sheila E. feat Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar

Sheila E, Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar pay astounding homage to Celia Cruz on “Bemba Colorá”

When Sheila E stepped out strutting her vocals and drums on “The Glamourous Life” – the 1984 dance gem co-produced and written by Prince, this was a grand opening of a gifted musician (a co-recipient of the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 with her father Pete Escovedo) who has crossed several genres in astounding style. Yet who could even fathom this beat master for an extensive list of musicians from Ringo Starr to Herbie Hancock to Sheila E & The E Family Band finally receives an opportunity to realize a solo project dedicated to Salsa’s finest.

From the upcoming full-length Bailar, Sheila, longtime friend Gloria Estefan, and veteran Peruvian artist Mimy Succar revisit “Bemba Colorá” (Big Red Lips) (Stiletto Flats/Sony Music Entertainment U.S. Latin), performed originally in 1966 by a big star on the Latin music platform, the Queen of Salsa – Celia Cruz. This workout tests the talents of the trio with Salsa’s melodic complexity and fierce rhythms. Yet with the confident voices of Estefan, Succar and Sheila -especially her stunning timbale drum set and conga work at the end of the accompanying video, “Bemba Colorá” affirms the party remains powered up and upholds the memory of an international legend in Celia Cruz.

“Bemba Colorá” is currently available on most digital platforms.

Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene