ROY HARGROVE: HABANA ( 1997)

ROY HARGROVE
Este álbum, gravado em 1997, reúne músicos do grupo de Hargrove e músicos cubanos. Os nomes dispensam apresentação, pois são luminares - tanto do jazz norte americano quando do latino.
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ALBUM REVIEW
At the invitation of pianist Chucho Valdes - a legendary figure among Cuban players, and the founder and leader of the celebrated band Irakere - Roy Hargrove brings his quintet to Havana to play in an annual jazz festival. On the surface, it seems like just another gig to Hargrove: another flight, another chance to meet musicians but Larry Clothier, Hargrove*s manager, sensed a greater promise. And indeed Clothier was right, Roy Hargrove*s talents will naturally take him many places in the coming decades. None are likely to affect him - or be affected by him- as deeply and powerfully as Havana. From the opening and haunting lines of “O my seh yeh” repeated by guitarist Russell Malone to the driving “Mambo for Roy,” we have a CD that showcases the talents of Roy Hargrove but further explores the amazing directions currently being taken by Latin Jazz. There is an enormous array of originality and extremely creative forces driving this music. Chucho Valdez, the creator and driving spirit behind Cuba*s sensational, “Irakere” contributes his writing skills as well as his highly innovative piano artistry. David Sanchez continues to amaze and forge ahead within the Latin Idiom while remaining fresh and opening up new avenues of exploration. Listen to his haunting solo on “Mountaings.” Frank Lacy complements the group with some highly spirited trombone solos behind some crispy chords from Chucho and a driving rhythm section. Roy Hargrove is of the lyrical playing vernacular. However, the man can cook with the best. If you are a skeptic, listen to him on “Afrodisia.” His ability and grasp of the Latin musical forces comes through this CD with clarity, force, and originality. I highly recommend this music to the Latino aficionado or the new kid on the block looking
to get his feet wet in the world of salsa and the clave.
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MINHA OPINIÃO:
o comentário acima transcrito descreve com propriedade esta formidável mistura do grupo de Hargrove com o a turma do Chucho Valdés, produzindo uma "fusion" de straight-ahead e latin jazz de altissima qualidade. Grande variedade de levadas e "grooves", temas originais da melhor cepa. Os músicos são mesmo "top notch" e dispensam apresentação. UMA BELEZA.
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ROY HARGROVE: CRISOL - HABANA ( 1997)

PERSONNEL:
Roy Hargrove - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
David Sanchez - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Frank Lacy - Trombone
Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez - Drums
Jose Luis “Changuito” Quintana -Timbales
Miguel “Anga” Diaz - Congas
Chucho Valdes - Piano
John Benitez - Bass
Gary Bartz Soprano - Saxophone, Alto Saxophone
Russell Malone - Guitar

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1. O My Seh Yeh
2. Una Mas
3. Dream Traveler
4. Nusia*s Poem
5. Mr. Bruce
6. Ballad For The Children
7. Mountaings
8. Afrodisia
9. Mambo For Roy
10. O My Seh Yeh (Reprise)