Explosive powerhose and highly percussive Latin jazz led by young virtuoso pianist Lázaro Valdés of the Cuban Valdés dynasty. This one, Latin jazz fans, is a monster roller coaster that should not be missed. On "Carcasés a Bobby," one of the best tracks, bassist Osmany Diaz Gil and drummer Rodney Barreto have redefined their instruments.
Highly recommended. (descarga.com)



What a cool record. Lázaro Valdés, the pianist, leader and arranger for Bamboleo ( one of the leading cuban TIMBA groups ), has put out a Cuban fusion record, overlaid with smooth jazz that has moments of raw power. It's as if Valdes decided he liked the early electric music of Miles Davis and decided to order it a bit, and make it Cuban. When he solos, he mashes the harmony, getting into bitter chromaticism, and the rhythms start flying, and what was smooth jazz all of a sudden gets serious. It's intense, and sometimes maudlin, but at it's best it's new (some tracks have two bassists) .


This isn't for purists looking for an old Cuba; it's modern, influenced by the good and bad of American music. But the level of the musicianship is shocking (the musicians include Bamboleo's fantastic bassist and percussionist), and Lázaro Valdés, who comes from a family of musicians that includes Alfredito, Marcelino and Vicentico, can be proud of what he's done.

Highly recommended. (Peter Watrous for Descarga.com)
Mr. Watrous has written extensively about jazz and Latin music for the New York Times.