“Nananina” by Bush Y Su Combo Los Magnificos

Francisco Buckley was born on March 17, 1940 in Panama City, Panama. He grew up listening to Cuban music and the great Benny Moré, Celia Cruz, and Rolando Laserie. After spending some time learning the cornet and trumpet, “Bush” as he was known, took up the congas, timbales, and various other percussion instruments. He formed his first band in 1962 and played Club Tropicana and other clubs around Panama City.

“Nananina” or “Nana Nina” was released in 1970 on Sol Records. It was written by bassist Luis “Freddy” Anglin and is a fantastic Guaguancó and Panamanian take on Cuban Rumba. Buckley is playing the timbales on this track, and I love the frenetic pace and musicianship throughout.
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We lost Francisco in 2018, but his influence on Panamanian music should never be forgotten.