Musicians: Bomba: Mario Allende (Congas, Percussion), Chris Andrew (Piano, keyboards), Rubim de Toledo (bass) Guest artists: Luisito Orbegoso (vocals), Neraldo Duran Torriente (violin), Livan Morejon Quian (saxophone, flute), Raul Gomez Tabera (drums, timbales), Sandro Dominelli (drums)
Review:
With the re-emerging popularity of Cuban music in mainstream America, Edmonton-based Bomba! is bound to have an enormous hit on their hands with Entre Sol Y Luz. For this, the Latin trio’s third release, Bomba! has invited Cuban music giants Neraldo Duran Torriente (violin), Raul Gomez Tabera (drums, timbales) and Livan Morejon Quian (saxophone, flute) to join forces with them. Guest artists also include Canadian Sandro Dominelli (drumset) and Peruvian vocalist Luisito Orbegoso.
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Bomba! is a highly accomplished group that features Canadian born pianist/keyboardist Chris Andrew, Brazilian born bassist Rubim de Toledo, and Chilean born conga/percussion player Mario Allende. These musicians eloquently fuse their respective roots to explore new and uncharted territory, and have quickly developed a large and ever-increasing fan base. Based on their previous recording successes, Bomba was invited to perform for Havana Jazz Festival in 2004, and it was during that time they were introduced to the Cuban musicians featured on this exciting new release.
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Entre Sol Y Luz is a delicious concoction of the traditional and contemporary, and showcases the compositional talents of pianist Andrew, with nine of the ten tracks penned by him. Four cuts feature the combined arranging efforts of Andrew, Berriel and Torriente, and are a blend of Cuban, African, jazz and funk music, the result evoking the streets of Old Havana with an inventive, modern soundscape.
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I was instantly seduced by the passionate performances of the musicians, all of whom contribute superb ensemble and solo works, it’s a challenge to choose standout performances with each and every track having something to rave about. With the arrangements written to highlight the instrumentation, state the styles, and underscore the mood, there’s a broad spectrum covered, from the primitive to the regal, urban to bucolic, and the expression of each is divine.
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From the first cut to the last, there isn’t a millisecond where one isn’t astounded by the exceptional ability of each player to crossover genres with ease, and the coalescence of musical flavours. This recording is sure to be wildly successful throughout the Americas, and likely to take Bomba! beyond the western hemisphere to the heights of global success.
Tracks: Si, Canada, Linda, Bulla!, Caravan, Palo, Eliptico/Muevete Y Goza, Y Ahora Que, Homenaje A Ruben Gonzalez, Entre Sol Y Luz, Oya
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