ALEX ACUÑA & JUSTO ALMARIO presents TOLÚ: Rumbero´s poetry [RE-UP]

TOLÚ, ALEX ACUÑA & JUSTO ALMARIO
Na década de 1980 o latin jazz já se encontrava consolidado como um dos ramos mais bem sucedidos da world music, muito embora mantivesse seu sabor único e inconfundível. De simples e alegre música para Bailar, passa a contar com harmonias e arranjos de maior complexidade, fornecendo texturas mais adequadas ao improviso do jazz moderno pós bebop. Foi nesse contexto que, em 1982, Alex Acuña (peruano) e Justo Almario (colombiano), dois dos mais proeminentes músicos de "latin jazz" da Califórnia, formaram a banda TOLÚ, nos anos 80, reunindo um "timaço" de craques, como se pode constatar na escalação lá em baixo.

(*)Justo Almário já é velho conhecido do blog e, por isso, dispensa apresentação.
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ALEX ACUÑA
Alex Acuña was born and raised in Lima, Peru. A self-educated musician, he was inspired by his father and brothers, all of whom were musicians. As a teenager, he was one of Peru’s most accomplished session drummers, performing on many recording projects for artists, as well as film and television productions.At the age of eighteen, Alex was asked to join the big band of the great Latin bandleader, Perez Prado. It was with the Prado band that Alex first traveled the United States. Several years later he began to study at the Conservatory of Puerto Rico, while performing as a classical percussionist with the Symphony Orchestra for the Pablo Casals’ Summer Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1974 Alex moved to Las Vegas where he played with such greats as Elvis Presley and Diana Ross. Following this chapter of his career Alex became both drummer and percussionist for one of the most innovative jazz groups of our time, Weather Report, with whom he recorded on the Black Market and Heavy Weather albums. Alex next moved to Los Angeles, California in 1978. Here, Alex quickly learned the position of a valued session drummer and percussionist for recordings, television, and motion pictures. His countless album credits and live performances are comprised of such diverse artists as U2, Paul
McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Al Jarreau, Ella Fitzgerald, Roberta Flack, Andre Crouch, The Winans, Tracy Chapman, Sheryl Crow, Whitney Houston, Bruce Willis, Seal, Sergio Mendes, Yellowjackets, The Brecker Brothers, Chick Corea, Antonio Carlos Jobim,
Carlos Santana, The Gypsy Kings, Julio Iglesias, Herbie Hancock, Koinonia, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, Placido Domingo, Wayne Shorter, Joe ZawinuL. Alex is widely known as an educator, gifted teacher and clinician of drums and percussion. Alex’s South American and Caribbean roots, and understanding of contemporary and classical music, make him a complete and skilled master musician.
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TOLÚ
The history of Tolú, Los Angeles' most powerful Latin band, began in the early 1980s, when reedman Justo Almario congregated some of the best local musicians among them Alex Acuña, Luis Conte, Arturo Velasco, etc. The name of the band made reference to the Caribbean coastal town next to Sincelejo, Colombia, birthplace of Almario, who recalls that "Tolú was formed because those musicians wanted a space to improvise within the realm of Latin music, and were not allowed to do so in the Latin dance clubs." With this objective in mind, Almario assumed the position of musical director and wrote Tolú's creative arrangements. Due to the conflicting commitments of the participants, Acuña points out that "Tolú was never officially structured as an active band." Contrary to the prevailing expectations, Tolú became an influential institution when the all-star band's live performances led to critical acclaim and the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) filmed a concert of its music, which was aired throughout the country.
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ALBUM REVIEW
Rumbero's Poetry is a real treat. The talent is there. the line up of musicians are "EXCELENTE", My own observation, it should have at least 4 to 6 more songs.I am already hoping for the second one to be recorded soon.The themes Barbara,Giant Steps,Litha,Animo y aliento are outstanding without taking away the merits of Luis Enrique in Besame mucho.
(D.A. Young, at amazon.com)
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MINHA OPINIÃO - este álbum é um "torpedo": tem de tudo um pouco, para agradar a "boricuas e cubanos", "cariocas e baianos" e demais tribos...Vai desde o incandescente "latin jazz" de "Giant Steps" e "Peace pipe" até o "boleraço" BESAME MUCHO - com o ilustre convidado LUIZ ENRIQUE - passando pela "salsa" e outros ritmos latinos. E não poderia mesmo ser para menos: ninguém reúne impunemente como "side men", músicos do calibre de John Peña, Otmaro Ruiz, Ramon Stagnaro, Luiz Conte & Cia. PÁ GOZAR!!!
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ALEX ACUÑA & JUSTO ALMARIO presents TOLÚ: Rumbero´s poetry

PERSONNEL:
Luis Conte: congas, vocals
Ricardo Tiki Pasillas: timbal, tambora, chekere, water bottle
Harry Kim: trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals
John Peña: bass, backing vocals
Michito Sanchez: congas, bongos, batà, quinto, cajonga, backing vocals
Richie Gajate Garcia: congas percusion
Arturo Velasco: trombone
Joe Rotondi: piano
Otmaro Ruiz: piano
Ramon Stagnaro: guitarra
Alex Acuña: drums, cajon, güiro, water bottle, backing vocals
Justo Almario: soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet, backing vocals

Guests:
Luis Enrique
Omar Viloria
Gilberto Torres

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
01 - Paso de Gigante (Giant Steps)
02 - Litha
03 - Animo y Aliento
04 - Cumbiamba
05 - Peace Pipe
06 - Mambo Bárbara
07 - Besame mucho
08 - A gozar con mi Combo
09 - Rumba del Cielo
10 - Entrevista
11 - Tolu