Swing en 4 – Zumba que Zumba

With a complexity and variations of rhythms, there is always a balance of surprise and coherence in the music of Zumba que Zumba. The first track, “De la caña se hace el guaro” fuses the rhythms of the Caribbean with the sounds of Costa Rica. “Caña Dulce” starts with a classical music intro that quickly turns into a jazz ballad, featuring the gorgeous tenor sax of Vinicio Meza and a melodic bass solo by Danilo Castro. There is also a classical tinge in the track “He Guardado”. Meza did most of the arrangements except for “Pasión”, “He Guardado”, “Ticas Lindas” and “Patriótica Costarricense” arranged by pianist Luis Monge.

The waltz “Amor de Temporada” starts with an intro reminiscent of Jobim “Chovendo na Roseira”. Luis Monge piano solos throughout the album are both poetic and refined. The ballad “Luna Liberiana” is one of the jazzier tracks on the release, once again Vinicio Meza elegant tenor sax takes center stage on this one. The group get into a funk groove in “Noche Inolvidable”, a song with elements of smooth jazz.

Meza plays the clarinet on “La Guaria Morada” and on “Pampa”, a ballad with beautiful harmonies and lyrical soloing by both Meza and Monge. The last two tracks on the album are a tribute to Costa Rica, “Patriótica Costarricense”, “Ticas Lindas”, that also includes a rap by Dustin Brailey.

Tracks: De la caña se hace el guaro, Caña Dulce, Amor de Temporada, Luna Liberiana, Noche Inolvidable, Pampa, Pasión, La Guaria Morada, He Guardado, Ticas Lindas, Patriótica Costarricense.

Personnel: Carlos Sanders – drums, Vinicio Meza – tenor sax, clarinet, Danilo Castro – bass, Luis Monge – piano.

Swing en 4 – Website: www.swingen4.com

Label: Swing en 4

Release date: April 2010

Reviewed by: Wilbert Sostre