Omar Sosa: Ayaguna (2003)

Joel Roberts

CD/DVD Reviewer since 1999

Joel Roberts has been contirbuting to AAJ since its earliest days.

Recent articles (244 total)

Published: April 5, 2003

Omar Sosa is a fusion artist in the best sense of the word. The virtuosic pianist mixes his Cuban roots with tastes of bebop, free jazz, even hip-hop and electronica, into a strikingly fresh and spicy modern stew that's much more than the sum of its ingredients. Sosa's new duo album with Venezuelan percussionist Gustavo Ovalles was recorded before a live audience in Japan. Much of the energetic set sounds freely improvised, with Sosa moving from delicate, unabashedly romantic melodies to wild blasts of percussive noise in a manner that recalls the best of Keith Jarrett, though without the grunts. There's an underlying passion and spirituality to Sosa's playing that shines through at all times; plus he's got plenty of chops.

Ovalles, playing a variety of Venezuelan percussion instruments, as well as congas, maracas, guiro, snare and cymbals, interacts seamlessly and unobtrusively with Sosa. The two share a devotion to creative explorations rooted in Afro-Cuban rhythms, but wide open to a world of other influences. This is “Latin jazz” for the 21st century.

This review originally appeared in AllAboutJazz—New York .

Track Listing: Reflection 2. Una Tradicion Negra 3. Iyawo (Opening) 4. Dias de Iyawo 5. Africa Madre Viva 6. Trip in the White Scarf 7. Toridanz

Personnel: Omar Sosa--piano Gustavo Ovalles--drums

Record Label: Ota Records
Style: Latin/World