He fervently studied the origin of percussion and the different forms of rhythm. After this period of regeneration Roy sought out long time friend and schoolmate Eddie Casillas who entered on bass bringing a big booming Latin style bottom end to the equation. Soon thereafter a powerful and diverse rhythm section of DougVan Booven on congas, Mario Aguilar on timbales and David Ingraham on drums was in place. The band had already begun recording and deeply coveted vocalist Dean Ortega decided to join, the Tribe of Gypsies took flight. Later Van Booven was forced to leave the band and the Tribe were augmented by Elvis Balladares and Ray Rodriguez on keyboards.
Every damn track is tremendous.
If you buy one Jap import from now to the New Year, let this be it. 1998 saw the departure of Dean Ortega whose replacement, former Seventhsign vocalist Gregg Analla , had been Roy Z 's original choice back when the Tribe first formed. With things coming full circle as it were, the band went to work re-energized and put together their most mature and captivating album, Revolucion 13 . Steeped in cultural symbolism going back to Aztec times yet universal in outlook, the Tribe Of Gypsies has put into motion a musical landslide of epic proportions. It's a wonderful sonic journey - and it has only just begun.