Greg Burk and Vicente Lebron – Unduality (Accurate Records – 2010)

This album, Unduality, a duet between pianist Greg Burk and the Dominican-born conguero, Vicente Lebron, is quite simply the most innovative interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “First Inventions” since the master conceived of it and a pianist’s sublime exercise. In fact it could be one of the most striking re-imaginations of a previously composed piece, ever. In themselves, the “First Inventions” are superlative creations demonstrating contrapuntal technique [...]

Fabiana Cozza – Quando O Céu Clarear (Atração Fonográfica – 2010)

Comparisons are odious, even in the most mundane circumstances, but there is a recording of a rare performance of Elis Regina Saudades Do Brasil , filmed and recorded in 1980, and directed by the great Cesar Carmago Mariano that reverberates with energy, even when it is not playing. The mere recollection of it can make the heart dance interminably. This recording Quando O Céu Clarear by the extraordinary paulista and sambanista, Fabiana Cozza [...]

Alex Brown – Pianist (Sunnyside Records – 2010)

Even for a pianist with as prodigious a talent as Alex Brown, having a heavyweight in the music pantheon such as Paquito D’Rivera produce his debut album, must have largely been a dream. However, to pull off a debut as fine as this is a feat in itself. As a pianist, Brown has remarkable technique. Although he may still be searching for his true voice and that may take time, he appears to be closer than most. He is truly expressive and has an expansive sense of [...]

The Black Butterflies -1 de Mayo (Self Produced – 2010)

A delightful whimsy surrounds the room where 1 de Mayo descends, like a diaphanous sheet of sound amid its celestial wail. So extraordinary is the musical ensemble fronted by the hypnotic sound of Mercedes Figueras’ saxophones; doubly intriguing when entwined with the ululations and caterwauling ablutions of Tony Larokko’s horns. Mercedes Figueras is one of the most exciting saxophonists today. Enormously talented and with a voice [...]

Pedro Bermudez – No Limits (Self Produced – 2010)

The energy contained in the body and soul of pianist Pedro Bermudez far exceeds that which may normally be given mere mortals. For his hands and arms are infused with a surfeit of tumbao. In his heart, the echoes of the timbales and the congas bounce excitedly against every internal surface. It is this incredible treasure of rhythm that flavours what he expends through his fingers on the ivories. More importantly, it is this that [...]

Chico & Rita – Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal – TIFF 2010

Chico & Rita’s love story (written by Trueba along with Ignacio Martínez de Pisón) begins in La Habana of the late 40′s, and then jumps to New York, taking place during a magnificent era of artistic creation. It’s the time of be-bop, cubop, mambo, after-midnight jam sessions and arousing boleros. The fusion and exchange of musical ideas -which are at the core of the Jazz spirit- converge in the magical city that never sleeps [...]

Hilario Durán celebrates 35 years of musical career at the Royal

Pianists abound in the Island of Cuba. Excellent pianists indeed, but only a selected group meet the high standards of virtuosity. Hilario Luis Durán Torres, better known as Hilario Durán belongs to that group. His nickname “Con Tumbao” fits him perfectly well. His percussive attack is killer. Born in Havana, Cuba in 1953, Durán never dreamed he would become a Canadian citizen one day, even less that he would make Toronto his permanent residence [...]

Hilario Durán Trio – Motion (Alma Records – 2010)

In his much-anticipated follow-up to the Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning Latin Big Band recording, From The Heart (Alma Records,2008) the piano master, Hilario Durán brings together a power trio comprising bassist, Roberto Occhipinti and drummer, Mark Kelso. In the process he has created Motion, a memorable, new canvas of sound, unveiled through a palette of vivid tonal colors throughout the album’s eight tracks [...]

Hector Martignon – Second Chance (Zoho Music – 2010)

In a literal world the music on Second Chance would simply represent “B” sides of music that pianist, Hector Martignon has played in the past. In reality they are anything but that. It is here that Martignon has provided wicked twists to all the music he has played before—he uses the term “devilish,” which in Spanish is a word fraught with meaning. The word diabólico might be infinitely more appropriate as it has fangs and breathes a fire [...]

Trio Esperança – De Bach á Jobim (Disques Dreyfus – 2010)

There is a rare and celestial beauty that pervades throughout De Bach á Jobim, the album by the legendary a capella Brasilian group, Trio Esperança who share a very special connection with the 10-voice ensemble, Grupo Vocal Desandann. Both ensembles use the oldest instrument known to human kind in intricate harmonies that have a spirit connection seemingly as old as the Psalms of David. However, from the historical perspective [...]