CDs
Antonio Valdetaro & Group – Letícia (Independent, Brasil 2009)
What stands out immediately about this record Letícia is the ebullient mood that is struck with the first few notes of “Segura e Sai.” From then on the music gets busier but retains its sense of “alegria.” A w...
Yuri Juarez – Afroperuano (Saponegro Records 2009)
It may not happen from the first note, but soon the music on Afroperuano begins to magically evoke the sound of the wind rushing through the rarified air of the Peruvian Andes. It is also possible to feel the swishing ...
Hamlet & his Latin Jazz Experience – Descarumbiando (2009)
The Latin Jazz wave is old hat. There are too many hangers-on; too many copy cats and not enough original thinking musicians. But in contrast, the serious craftsmen and women are getting more skilled and penetrating the soul of...
Gabriel Espinosa – From Yucatan To Rio (Zoho Music 2009)
The journey from Yucatan to Rio was a really smooth one. It was brimful with samba and bossa nova, with a little baroque thrown in probably the happy memory of a childhood resplendent withy the music of Bach and Vivaldi. And th...
Afrodisian Orchestra – Mediterraciones (BarCo 2009)
Few records in 2009 are going to have such an impact on the world of music as the Afrodisian Orchestra’s Mediterraciones. This is because there are few, just a few musicians – even native Spanish ones – who have ...
Chembo Corniel – Things I Wanted To Do (Chemboro Records 2009)
There is nothing like a swinging, stomping Latin-Jazz record laden with sensuous clave and robust horns and relentless, driving percussion to stir the senses. . And this is exactly what Wilson “Chembo” Corniel brings to lif...
Josep Soto – Groc (Temps Records 2008)
Groc is an unusual record. It is a Josep Soto’s not-so-secret and masterful way acknowledging the collision of Spanish music with the music of cultures that Spain, Portugal and other Latin countries set out to influe...
Johnny Conga – Breaking Skin (Independent 2009)
Johnny Conga comes from a long line of illustrious tumbadores, too many to mention, but suffice it to say that from the musical evidence on Breaking Skin, the genealogy may well include the likes of Chano Pozo, Mongo S...
Bobby Matos – Unity (LifeForce Jazz Records 2008)
Whatever music Bobby Matos chooses to inhabit is sure to be brimful – even overflowing – with energy. On this record, Unity, Matos attempts to take his bandmates on a profound, if rhythmic journey. He is attempting...
Frank Villafañe – Punto de Vista/ViewPoint – (Independent 2008)
Imagine the time when much music was written and performed on the harpsichord. That was before the piano first cam into being. Now imagine the literature that was originally intended for performance on the harpsichord and later...
