Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Chucho Vald: Briyumba Palo Congo

Chucho Vald: Briyumba Palo Congo

By Jim Santella
July 1, 1999
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Using an augmented piano trio for his latest project, Chucho Valdés has put together a session of Afro-Cuban excitement with unique tributes to Duke Ellington and George Gershwin. Lyrical acoustic bassist Francisco Rubio Pampin insures that the swing never strays too far from center. Several percussionists and guest vocalists, including Valdés’ sister Mayra round out the ensemble.

The pianist plays with a big forceful hand, as percussive as the drums. Blue Note describes the leader’s style: "Like McCoy Tyner, Valdés can evoke thunder-like chords punctuated by lighting-fast arpeggios and like Bill Evans, he can make the keyboard sing with a rainbow of impressionistic harmonic and melodic colors." A considerable amount of background information is available from http://www.bluenote.com .

"Caravan" is up-tempo and solid, while "Embraceable You" is performed minimally in lush ballad style. Similarly, Valdés’ ballad "Bolero" offers piano and bass the opportunity to transpose emotional sighs over light hand drum rhythms. "El Rumbón" and "Pónle la Clave," on the other hand, couple fierce fighting rhythms with the pianist’s powerful and confident keystroke combinations. The latter piece, a mambo in 7/4, is central to the album and highly representative of Valdés’ music. Highly Recommended.

Track Listing

El Rumb

Personnel

Chucho Valdes

piano

Chucho Vald

Album information

Title: Briyumba Palo Congo | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Blue Note Records

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About Chucho Valdes

Instrument: Piano

Concerts

May 4 Sat

Duets - Dianne Reeves, Chucho Valdés and Joe Lovano

Berklee Performance Center
Boston, MA

May 16 Thu

DUETS - Dianne Reeves - Joe Lovano - Chucho Valdés

92nd Street Y
New York, NY

May 17 Fri

Duets with Chucho Valdés and Joe Lovano

Chicago Symphony Center
Chicago, IL

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