Here’s an irresistibly sizzling salsa album lead by Little Johnny Rivero, who plays congas, bongos and timbales just for starters. Along with Brian Lynch/tp, Louis Fouche’/As, Zaccai Curtis/key, Luques Curtis/b, Ludwig Afonso/dr and various guests, you get a full plate of caliente flavors.
Extra brass by Conrad Herwig/tb and Jonathan Powell/p and textures to the simmering “Little Giants” and “Mr. Lp” while some rich piano work dances on “Let’s Do It Again.” Some Afro Cuban assertiveness teams up with Fouche’s alto sax on “Music In Me” and some spoken prose mixes with chanting on a traditional sounding “Africa My Land.” All throughout, Rivero is a yeoman, creating intoxicating rivulets of rhythm that are impossible to veer away from. A real charmer!
Truth Revolution Records