Rich sounds and rhythms from various Latin Lovers.
The band Changui Majadero is the most traditional sounding of the three. Gabriel Garcia’s tres strums like a harp along with his vocals and team of Gorge Ortiz/bongo, Norell Thompson/voc-guayo, Alfred Ortiz/voc-mar and Yosmel Montejo/b. There are many deep percussive grooves as on the festive “Mayumbero” and rumbling “Soy Campesino,” but it’s the village pickings of the tres that makes you feel like you’re in the local plaza, with lovely festivities on “Me La Llevo Al Megaton” and “La Rumba Esta Buena.” Martha Gonzalez’s vocals on “Amor De Madre” are a sensuous delight as well.
Harold Lopez-Nussa plays piano and keyboard along with an exciting band of Alune Wade/b, Ruy Adrian Lopez-Nussa/dr, Mayquel Gonzalez/tp-fh, Dreiser Durruthy/bata and a collection of cameo guests. The leader’s fingers dance on the peppy and lilting “Me Voy Pa’ Cuba” and flows on the thoughtful “Africa.” The mix of bass and percussion throughout glistens, as on the feisty “Feria” while the leader chimes on “El Viaje.” Voice and horn get bluesy on the swaying “D’Un Fabula” and the team gets exotic on “Oriente.” Dreamy sounds the sizzle.
Bob Baldwin p lays a slew of keyboards as well as sings with a rotating team that includes Café Da Silva/perc, Dennis Johnson/dr and Torcuato Mariano/g through originals and covers that have a peppy and George Duke-inspired feel. Sometimes Baldwin plays all of the instruments as on the funky “Boa Noite” and “Funky Rio” while other times using just a guest like Da’ Silva on percussion for Ivan Lins’ “Anjo De Mim” Mariano’s guitar is gorgeous on “Caipirinha” and Tom Jobim’s “Corcovado” making the old sound new. Festive and fun.