Few jazz artists are able to bridge the gap between traditional Latin folk music and modern jazz like alto saxist Miguel Zenon. His catalogue is a travelogue of sounds and traditions, with this latest one a festive occasion, as Zenon is with his long time team of Luis Perdomo/p, Hans Glawischnig/b and Henry Cole/dr along with various guests on local percussion instruments.
There’s even some earthy vocals on the gentle and galloping “Navegando” that begins with a gentle piano and drum cadence before building up into a galloping climax. Zenon’s alto is warm and human, lyrical around the intricate piano pattern of “Tainos Y Caribes” while warm and fluffy on the soft “Imperios”, yearning on “America, El Continente” after Perdomo’s impressionistic intro. The street fest of “Antillan” includes Daniel Diaz’s congas while Paoli Mejias brings Afro Cuban rumblings to the angular yet bopping “Opresion Y Revolucion”. Americas, la Beautiful.