Cuban bassist Charles Flores has made a respectable career as a sideman for the likes of Michel Camilo and Dafnis Prieto, while now starting his own time out as a leader. This release has him with the latin-fusion team of Elio Villafranca/key, Richard Padron-Wayne Krantz/g, Cliff Almond/dr-prog and Manuel Valera/key-prog-perc. The six stringed bassist shows his chops and taste while delivering material that has a Return to Forever influence on the virtuosic title track and the guitar laden “Street Walk.” Further visions of 70s fusion are in play with the Dimeola-esque “Carlito’s Way” which mixes simmering lating percussion with fervent guitar chops. Flores’ nimble bass sets the groove for much of the material here, with irresistible rivulets of rhythm on “Mirian” and “Influence.” A nice mix of old school fusion with a dash of modern electronic make this one a joy on many dimensions, with a mix of muscle and music.
Dafnison Music