Latin music from Canada? Hey, it works! She was born in Venezuela, but Eleana Cuevas makes tha hotbed of latin music, namely Toronto, her home now and serves up a sizzling plate of music here. The backup team ,lead by arranger Jeremy Ledbetter/key, supports and drives the rich-toned leader in a variety of moods, all of which she handles with South American aplomb. Her rich chocolate voice is clear and clean on the energetic “Estrellita” and gets quite nimble on the tricky bounces of “El Tucusito.” The funky horns and bass lick on “Agua, Cangrejo Y Sal” as well as the heavy percussive “Llego” show that she can work around some muscle without getting overwhelmed, and when she gets dramatic and vulnerable as on “Lamento” and “Nacera’” she milks the oozes pathos with credibility. Let’s see this lady in the Southern 48!
Alma Records