The most celebrated guaguancó vocalist of his generation — Carlos Embale was a master of the rumba tradition whose voice defined the sound of Havana's guaguancó for decades.
Carlos Embale was born in Havana and developed his vocal style in the rumba tradition of the Afro-Cuban solar (tenement courtyard). He became the pre-eminent guaguancó lead singer of the mid-20th century, working with the major rumba ensembles of the era and recording extensively.
His voice — powerful, deeply rhythmically grounded, with the specific tonal quality of the guaguancó tradition — is the reference point for what the lead vocalist in this tradition should sound like. His recordings are primary sources for anyone studying Cuban rumba vocalism.