THREE-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA BACK WITH WORLD MUSIC – Ovation Records
Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil
This rhythm driven music of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra features exciting percussion by Oreste Abrantes on bongos and maracas, Luisito Quintero on timbales, and George Delgado on congas and guiro. This happy music dances across my listening room. It’s joyful World music that inspires hips to shake and feet to move. Oscar Hernandez’s globally renowned orchestra has won three GRAMMY Awards. If you love salsa, and Latin music in general, this album is the perfect choice. It’s authentic Latin music with hard-hitting contemporary New York energy and arrangements. Led by legendary bandleader and pianist, Oscar Hernandez, this 13-piece salsa band sports an all-star cast of characters.
They open with a Ray Barretto tune titled, “Yo Vine Pa’ Echar Candela” with the voices of Marco Bermudez, Carlos Cascante and Jeremy Bosch harmonizing tightly in Spanish. They transport me to Puerto Rico with this high-energy arrangement. Also featured on vocals is a six-time GRAMMY winner, Gilberto Santa Rosa. He is a sonero (an improvising lead singer in salsa music) of great stature in the Latin world and beyond. On this album called “Swing Forever” these outstanding musicians offer us eleven tracks of pure energy and spunk. Hernandez includes the great singer, Gilberto Santa Rosa, who he specially arranged “Llego El Caballero” to suit the legendary singer’s voice.
The album is titled, “Swing Forever,” with every song reflecting the Spanish Harlem excitement that continues to blend Latin music, Puerto Rico salsa and jazz in a unique and pleasing way. Their exciting horns add flair and flamboyance to this music. Manuel “Maneco” Ruiz and Alex Norris are on trumpet. The trombone is added by Doug Beavers and Juan Lakunza. Mitch Frohman is amazing on baritone guitar. Musical Director and pianist, Oscar Hernandez along with bassist Jerry Madera keep the music propelled forward.
An extraordinary composer, Oscar Hernandez has contributed several original songs to this project. They offer us Latin contemporary fusion jazz, with a big taste of Spanish Harlem salsa.
* * * * * * * * * * *
