Discos - Tt: Latin Beat Reviews - Reseña

Latin Beat Magazine, June, 2000 by Luis Tamargo, Jesse Varela, Elmer Gonzalez, Gilbert Rivera, Rudy Mangual

DOMINGO QUIÑONES

Poeta y Guerrero

(RMM)

Puerto Rican salsa singer/composer Domingo Quiñones brings us his latest production Poeta y Guerrero with nine selections in which he delivers his positive message of hope, faith, and love, to ease the pains and troubles of today. His compositions are a reflection of his own experiences in life and that of those around him. Well dressed selections with beautiful arrangements and the use of tropical and urban musical concepts is what categorizes his music that swings with immense intensity. The title track best describes the mission and philosophy of this exceptional artist. Aside from the deep messages in his compositions, the music prevails with danceable rhythms full of joy and pleasant harmonies. Yes it is salsa music, but salsa music with a concern, salsa music that answers to the highest order. Favorite tracks include Domingo Busca Un Amor, Yo Te Conozco and Una Historia. (RM)

CHUCHO VALDÉS

Live At The Village Vanguard

(Blue Note)

"Damas y Caballeros, bienvenido al Village Vanguard. Tomen las precauciones pertinentes ya que se acerca un huracán del Caribe". Con este boletín metereológico se advirtió el arribo del tempestuoso pianista Habanero Chucho Valdés y sus mosqueteros ciclónicos - Francisco Rubio Pampín (bajo acústico), Raúl Pineda Roque (batería) y Roberto Vizcaino (percusión Afrocubana) - al histórico club neoyorquino que ha servido de marco ambiental a más de un centenar de grabaciones realizadas por un amplia gama de luminarias jazzísticas, desde Dizzy Gillespie y Earl Hines hasta J.J. Johnson y Sonny Rollins.

Transmitada en abril de 1999, la susodicha pronosticación del tiempo musical resulta ser totalmente adecuada, sí tomamos en cuenta, por ejemplo, la manera espantosa en que Chucho logra extraer consistentemente su fortaleza impetuosa de un andamiaje descarguista de multiples encrucijadas rítmicas. Cuando se trata de combinar acordes cubanos y melodías de jazz, Chucho nunca deja de desplegar astutamente su elegancia y finura. Y su hermana Mayra Caridad le pone la tapa al pomo, con evidente sabor de melón colorado, de la primera versión de Drume Negrita (o de cualquier otra criolla canción de cuna, punto y aparte) jamás grabada en los 65 años de existencia fecunda del Village Vanguard. (LT)

AZABACHE

(AZ)

The San Francisco Bay Area salsa scene is flourishing with an estimated 30 bands playing in some 12-15 nightspots. You can now literally find Afro-Caribbean dance music every night of the week. It's the drive of the musicians and dancers that is pushing this cultural phenomenon, and one of the potent groups pulling people into the clubs is Azabache.

Led by percussionist Rafael "Ray" Martínez and lead-singer younger brother Manuel "Manny" Martínez, Azabache was created two years ago after the brothers departed from Louie Romero's band Mazacote. Last year they headlined the annual Puerto Rican Fest in San Jose and incited some serious dance action. Now on this debut outing, the Manhattan-raised Martínez brothers show they are a force to be reckoned with.

Manny is a talented sonero with a resonant tenor voice and a bold expressive delivery. With a coro bearing the nasal timbre so characteristic of Puerto Rican salsa, the band delivers nine original compositions inspired by the trombone driven sound of Willie Colón. Songs Cinco a Diez, Luna Cha-cha-cha, Montuno Street, Thanks for the Mambo and the delightful plena Batman and Spiderman, reflect a refreshing old-school quality.

Ray is the architect of this dynamite ensemble that includes Cheri Chooljian (keys), Joe Holiday (bass), Abel Figueroa (trombone), Ramón "Ito" Carrillo (bongo) and Roberto Quintana (timbales). Overall, Azabache presents us with an impressive offering displaying a vibrancy rooted in New York City salsa and Latin jazz stylings but coupled with originality and superb talent. It's a hot combination! (JV)

RALPH IRIZARRY & TIMBALAYE

Best Kept Secret

(Shanachie)

This sophomore production by percussionist/bandleader Ralph Irizarry & Timbalaye continues the New York City based ensemble's vision of making Latin jazz music that seeks and explores new directions. With a professional career that earned him a home in the bands of Ray Barretto in the late 1970s and Panamanian singer/composer Ruben Blades's productions for over a decade, Irizarry is a seasoned musician who plays from his heart. With his group Timbalaye, he produces original compositions which keep his listeners involved in a progressive musical experience. Amanecer en el Barrio and Reverend Clave, composed by the band's saxman Bob Franceschini, starts the musical journey on this CD. A vigorous Latin rhythm section, enhanced by the colors and musical forms of a powerful urban jazz brass line of musicians, best describes this new production. By the use of more non-Latin arrangements and idioms, the music of Timbalaye keeps you guessing and interested in the final interpretations. Closing out the album, the track Mojo Cubano features the talents of Puerto Rican conga master Giovanni Hidalgo as a guest artist. On this track, Irizarry, Hidalgo, and Timbalaye perform the rhythms of mozambique, comparsa, guaguancó, timba and 6/8 styles to explore the best of Afro-Cuban rhythms. (RM)