RG Royal Sound Orchestra: Impact (2010)

Robert J. Robbins

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2009

Robert has covered jazz for over 30 years and contributes regularly to Big Bands International in the UK.

Recent articles (13 total)

Published: February 1, 2010

Take a group of A-List Miami-based musicians—many of whom are alumni of the big bands of Woody Herman,Maynard Ferguson, and Stan Kenton)—combine them with guitarists and percussionists from Madrid,Spain, and the result is the RG Royal Sound Orchestra, making its debut withexactly what the title promises. The arrangements integrate Afro-Cuban rhythms, Iberian romanticism, and North American swing and dance music into a repertoire covering French, Italian, British, and American standards in addition to the pop idioms of the 1960s through the early-1990s.

The band's principal soloists are trumpeter Adalberto Lara "Trompetica"—a distillation of Rafael Mendez, Maynard Ferguson, and Arturo Sandoval—and saxophonist Ed Calle—a veteran of the Miami recording scene. Trumpeter Richard Gutierrez joins with Trompetica in searing duets on "My Way" and "Can't Help Falling In Love," while guitarist Lindsey Blair contributes Eric Clapton-esque styling on several tracks.

Impact represents a dramatic fusion of numerous disparate musical idioms, all converging smoothly into a slickly-produced, yet very artistic series of musical statements. The disc was brilliantly recorded by label owner Recaredo Gutierrez, who has long been recognized in the field of Latin-American music.

Track Listing: Hotel California; My Way; Volare; As Time Goes By; That's the Way I Like It; I Left My Heart In San Francisco; Strangers In the Night; Yesterday; New York, New York; Can't Help Falling In Love; O Sole Mio; Macarena.

Personnel: Mike Lewis: conductor, arranger; Tony Taño: arranger; Hilario Duran: arranger; Jorge Arrante: arranger; Raúl "Lulo" Perez: arranger; Billy Ross: alto and soprano saxophones; Dan Salmasian: alto sax; Ed Calle: tenor and soprano saxophones; Ed Maina: tenor sax; Mike Brignola: baritone sax; Adalberto Lara "Trompetica": trumpet; Jim Hacker: trumpet; Mario Ortiz: trumpet; Doug Michels: trumpet; John Kricker: trombone; Steve Sigmund: trombone; Jason Pyle: trombone; Jim Bermann: bass trombone; Hilario Duran: piano; Raúl "Lulo" Perez: piano; Jorge Arronte: piano; Lindsey Blair: electric guitar; Ranses Colŏn, bass; Edward Magdariaga: bass; Richard Bravo: drums, percussion; Antonio Ramos Urbano "Maca": bass; José Miguel Carmona "Josemi": Spanish guitar; José Lozada: Spanish guitar; Juan Carmona: Spanish guitar; Paco Aguilera: Spanish guitar; Anye Rao: drums; José Manuel Ruiz "Bandolero": percussion; Paco Aguilera: coro; Carlos Nuño: coro.

Record Label: RG Records
Style: Latin/World