Reencarnacion
Cuban trumpeter Jesús Alemañy and his band strike again with a ripping album of hot Latin roots and jazz. As always, the mix is clean, hard-edged, and rarely lush. They mix together some of the more famous dance grooves of Cuba and Latin America, the mambo, theson, and theson montuno. The premier track is "El Paso de Encarnacion," a hotguarachafrom the old Orquesta Aragón songbook. It's not a nostalgic look back, but just one example of how this band can stay away from pop fusion and still sound as contemporary as tomorrow. The band is outstanding. Alemañy's horn is always at the center of things, with the phenomenal Tata Güines on congas, Emilio del Monte doing thetimbales. Bassist Carlos del Puerto (formerly of Irakere) keeps the rhythm together with pianist Nachito Herrera and Carlos Godines'sclaveandgüiro. New to the group for this recording is a fine singer, Rolo Martinez. Notable solos are contributed by Orlando "Maraca" Valle on flute and Pancho Amat ontres. The arrangements are tight, thedescarga(improv jams) are stunning, and the sound is at once rooted in the past and constantly looking forward. Album 3 and this band still shows no sign of getting tired or repeating themselves. --Louis Gibson