HUMBERTO RAMIREZ & GIOVANNI HIDALGO: Best Friends

HUMBERTO RAMIREZ & GIOVANNI HIDALGO
Tenho recebido algumas mensagens de amigos latino-americanos, reclamando que abandonei o "latin jazz", pois há muito tempo não posto nenhum álbum do gênero. O fato é que, quando iniciei o blog, ele era totalmente voltado para o "latin jazz". Depois, com a enorme proliferação de blogs semelhantes, fui mudando o perfil do blog, aos poucos, acrescentando "bossa nova" e jazz. Mas o "latin jazz" é uma das minhas paixões - até porque ninguém mora durante 15 anos em Miami sem ser mordido pela "mosca azul" dos ritmos "afro-cubanos". Isto, sem contar com o contato direto com grandes músicos que lá conheci e dos quais me tornei amigo - entre eles o próprio GIOVANI HIDALGO. Dito isto, aí está um excelente álbum de Humberto & Giovanni, velhos conhecidos do blog.
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ALBUM RELEASE
There are certain things that transcend time and space. Love, for instance. Not only it is a moving force within everyone of us, but it's inspiring influence effects us all. And it's forever presence in music has shown it's dimensionality in so many ways, sounds, phrases and scales that we are consistently humbled by it's ever changing persona. The force, grace, fire, passion, humbleness and reverence will move all of us again when we listen to "Best Friends". For Humberto Ramírez and Giovanni Hidalgo,this recording was more than an opportunity to reunite in a studio. It was a reliving process. For two humble individuals that were both born the same year in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, that grew up together, this was a recording that had to happen somewhere down the road. Only they could have made an album like this. They are heirs to a rich tradition in Latin Jazz. They are joined by Papo Lucca, Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, Oskar Cartaya and Special Guest, Tito Puente. With a very special appearance by their fathers, Humberto "Pipo" Ramírez on Tenor Sax and José "Mañegue" Hidalgo on Congas. Best Friends is a masterpiece in the making and a fascinating musical experience.
~Source: www.cdbaby.com
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ALBUM REVIEW
As if the title were not perfectly clear, Best Friends is an album of heavyweights playing among peers, and is possibly a classic. Speaking of that title, indeed the spirit of friendship pervades this album. The camaraderie and sharing are to such an extent that no clear leader emerges. Even the tone of Humberto Ramirez' trumpet is soft and accommodating, never jumping out and taking over. That spoken, Ramirez is capable of muscular solos when the heat is up - for example, the call and answer section in the song "Celebrando".
The only word to describe Giovanni Hidalgo's contribution is stunning. He has become such a favorite on the clinic circuit that we tend to forget his calling as a band member... remember the Puerto Rican group Batacumbele? On Best Friends, Giovanni's lines are varied, highly syncopated and, despite the lure of traditional song forms, he never succumbs to stock phrasing. All CD's ought to be recorded as cleanly as Best Friends, and with such respect for the way percussion timbres - bells, congas, and timbales, in particular - blend into the ensemble. The possible exception is the drumming of "El Negro" Hernandez, who gets short shrift in the mix: you have to strain to hear him at times. On the other hand, if you play by the book, this music does not require drumset. Besides, if he were any louder, it might taint the prevailing equality and wash out someone else's part. In "A Puerto Rico", Giovanni and El Negro work hand in glove. It's a deceiving clever performance, in which master hand and stick drummers venture freely into the each other's territory, shadowing every move. The song gives Ramirez room to stretch out. Then he draws pianist Paco Lucca into a dynamic solo, and then a montuno (vamp) that builds in waves. Hernandez solos, then Hidalgo, and it's back to the head (melody). At this point, any other CD would draw to a close, satisfied with a job well done, but another four songs follow, equally strong. Listen for a guest appearance by Tito Puente on timbales.Part traditional, as in the quirky cha cha penned by Hidalgo, "La Perla", and part contemporary-hip, Best Friends never lets up. This poses a real hazard: the kettle will be boiling, the smoke alarm will go off, and you'll be lingering in the living room, waiting to hear the whole record.
~Source: www.ajrecords.com.
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MINHA OPINIÃO
Os comentários acima transcritos abordam tudo o que poderia ser dito a respeito deste excelente álbum de "latin jazz" autêntico e puro. Humberto & Giovanni, dois "boricuas" da mais alta estirpe do "latin jazz", lideram um "combo" integrado por músicos da mesma linhagem. De quebra, a presença do "Maestro Soberano do Latin Jazz" - o grande Tito Puente. Ah, e os "filhotes" de Humberto e Giovanni - confirmando a velha máxima sobre "filho de peixe...." Beleza pura!
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HUMBERTO RAMIREZ & GIOVANNI HIDALGO: Best Friends

PERSONNEL:
Giovanni Hidalgo - congas, percussion
Humberto Ramirez - trumpet
Papo Lucca - piano
Oskar Cartaya - bass
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez - drums

Special guests:
Tito Puente - percussion
Humberto "Pipo" Ramírez - tenor Sax
José "Mañegue" Hidalgo - congas.

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1. San Juan Ritual
2. Celebrando
3. Hasta decir no mas
4. A Puerto Rico
5. Clean
6. Herencia
7. La Perla
8. Best friends