Paquito D’Rivera never seems to lose inspiration for ideas. His latest release finds him exploring the music of Latin Jazz giant Armando Manzanero. Along with Diego Urcola/tp-vtb, Alex Brown/p, Carlos Henriquez/b, Antonio Sanchez/dr and guest Ariel Lud/band, D’Riveraeven brings in the legend for vocals as on the rich and enriching “Esta Tarde Vi Llover.” Most of the music defies you to keep from dancing, as Urcola’s trumpet slides across the floor on “Amancer” and the rhythm develops a luscious p ercussive groove on”Contigo Aprendi.” D’Rivera’s clarinet oozes on”Por Debajo De La Mesa” and he gets his soprano sax to cozy up with Brown on the enticing “Llavatela.” A sense of nostalgia permeates all of the music as well as a folksy traditionalism, which keeps the music grounded between the old world and new. Wondrous!
Sunnyside Records