Blogcritics Category: Music: Latin

Music Review: Enclave - Enclave Diaspora

Big Geez — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:06:24 EST

Don't try to figure out the name -- just enjoy the music.
A few years back, multi-instrumentalist Hilary Noble brought his remarkable talents into a partnership with equally skilled pianist Rebecca Cline and formed Enclave, a group dedicated to their concept of an Afro-Latin/post-bop jazz fusion. The quartet's initial album, 2005's Enclave, found a receptive audience among jazz fans and critics...

Music Review: Novalima - Coba Coba

Richard Marcus — Sun, 4 Jan 2009 17:57:38 EST

Novalima sets the standard for all other bands wishing to bring modern technology into play when adapting traditional music.
Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, Peru was home to the sophisticated civilization of the Inca empire. Although the Inca had managed to subjugate their various neighbours and raise exquisite cities, they quickly fell to the Spaniards due to gunpowder, disease, and deceit. Once the conquistadors had sated their lust for gold, it...

Retro Redux: Sometimes You Can Have Too Much Tequila

Big Geez — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:25:28 EST

You might want to take some advice from the guys who made Tequila famous.
Now that Christmas is in the rear-view mirror, a lot of folks will be looking towards New Year's Eve for their next celebration. If you're one of those who plan to host a party, you might want to heed the advice of an oldies-era instrumental group -- it's possible to have too much tequila. In the late 1950's pop music was in a state...

Concert Review: Raul Malo Christmas Show at Antones in Austin

Dave Nalle — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:16:43 EST

Dancing the night away with the cougars of Westlake to the very excellent voice and rocking Christmas tunes of the great Raul Malo.
When I go to a concert these days it's as much a cultural experience as it is a musical experience, because as I get older I get more and more interested in observing the crowd at a concert as well as listening to the music. I like music, but I'm also fascinated by who else likes and listens to that music. So when I write a review it's often as...

Music Review: Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou - The Vodoun Effect: 1973-1975 Funk & Sato From Benin's Obscure Labels

Richard Marcus — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 09:20:22 EST

Funk. latin, Vodoun, and African high life come together in one exciting explosion of sound.
I'm sure we've all seen or heard various documentaries about the history of popular music in North America that have traced the roots of jazz and blues music back to the tribal sounds of Africa. The blues developed out of the songs, "hollers", that the slaves used to sing while working in the fields that were a mixture of old...

Music Review: Francisco Mela - Cirio

Pico — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:25:37 EST

Cuban jazz will continue to progress as long as there are guys like the outstanding drummer Francisco Mela pushing it further.
The Cuban influence on jazz has been resilient from the late forties on. From Desi Arnaz and Mongo Santamaria to Paquito D'Rivera and Arturo Sandoval, the heritage remains as strong as ever, as evidenced by the left-field success of Ry Cooder's Buena Vista Social Club about a decade ago.Younger generations of players continue to emerge from the...

Retro Redux: Remembering Ritchie Valens

Big Geez — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 06:52:51 EST

It's always been a little interesting to me how a long-gone musician's legacy can develop with the passage of time....
It's always been a little interesting to me how a long-gone musician's legacy can develop with the passage of time. Ritchie Valens is mostly remembered now as one of the doomed passengers on Buddy Holly's ill-fated plane trip, and also for his hit song, "La Bamba." But his biggest hit by far was the slow ballad,...

Music Review: Marco Granados - Music Of Venezuela

Big Geez — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:11:23 EST

A flute virtuoso brings the music of his homeland to life.
While Brazilian jazz may be the first type of Latin Jazz that comes to mind, many subgenres exist and one of the best is Venezuelan. Doing his part to help expose jazz lovers to the music of his homeland, flute virtuoso Marco Granados is offering up his latest album on the Soundbrush label, appropriately titled Music Of Venezuela. The son of a...

Music Review: Garry Dial & Terre Roche - US An'Them

Big Geez — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:35:14 EST

A collection of national anthems given modern jazz treatments -- a strange idea but it works.
An unusual but intriguing new release on the Just Dial Roche label brings to life a feel-good project from the duo of jazz musician Garry Dial and folk singer Terre Roche. For years, they've been fascinated by the national anthems of many countries, and have spent long hours arranging, playing, and singing those tunes. That labor of love has...

Music Review: Juaneco y Su Combo - Masters Of Chicha Volume 1

Richard Marcus — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:26:25 EST

The music is infectious, fun, and never boring.
Mention Peru and most people will think of either the Andes Mountains or the Amazon river, the two great natural attractions of that South American country. Both regions were once home to great civilizations decimated by the coming of the Spanish conquistadors. The quest for gold and the souls of heathens followed by the encroachment of the mining...