Posted on July 5, 2007

Roberto Fonseca - Zamazu
Enja/Justin-Time Records - 2007

Review by Tomas Peña

If you are anything like me, you are probably wondering what “Zamazu” means! While reading the liner-notes I was surprised to learn that it’s a reference to an imaginary language created by Roberto’s niece, Paola. It was only after I listened to the recording a number of times that I started to make the connection between the two: Roberto weaves magic through his music while Paola creates magic with words. Could it be that we have a future songwriter on our hands? Tune in.

A little about Roberto: Outside of Cuba the thirty-one year old pianist, composer, arranger is probably best remembered as the youngest member of the Buena Vista Social Club and the heir apparent to the legendary pianist, Ruben Gonzalez, who passed away in 2003.

After touring with the Buena Vista Social Club, Roberto did a stint with vocalist Omara Portuondo’s band, shared the stage with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock at the Tokyo Jazz Festival, recorded three albums as a leader and played a major part in crooner Ibrahim Ferrer’s last recording, “Mi Sueño.”

“Zamazu” is perhaps his most powerful recording to date.

In short, the recording is nothing if not diverse. It opens with the plaintive voice of Mercedes Fonseca (Roberto’s mother), followed by the soulful “Tierra En Mano” (where Roberto sounds remarkably like Omar Sosa). The most striking tracks are “Congo Arabe” and “Ishmael.” The first expresses Roberto’s love for Oriental (Turkish) culture and his religion (Yoruba). The second is an ode to pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, a visionary whose style Roberto has always admired. As always, Roberto tips his hat to the elders and his peers – bass player Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez, Omara Portoundo and Ibrahim Ferrer (check out the poignant “El Niejo”).

For over fifteen years Roberto Fonseca has remained one of Cuba’s best kept secrets. “Zamazu” should go a long way towards bringing Roberto Fonseca the recognition he deserves.

In the following videoclips, Roberto talks about his first encounters with music, his coming of age as a musician, as an artist, and about his first international recording, Zamazu. Check them out.