The album provides a chance to appreciate many of these artists for the first time. One track was never released before. The others, culled from previous albums, were chosen for their merit. Derf Reklaw’s baritone voice gives us a deep look at authentic Cuban chant. A percussion ensemble accompanies his crystal clear voice. The Har You Percussion Group has a lot more than percussion in its lineup. Papo Vazquez delivers “San Jose” with a solidly intertwined of “La Bamba" foundation. Dave Pike’s “Back to the Roots” and Snowboy’s “42nd and Broadway” honor Cal Tjader and Tito Puente, respectively.

Conga player Jack Costanzo reminds us why he’s been able to keep the flame alive for so long. With lead vocalist Marilu and a capable background coro, the percussionist carries the closer forward with a big sound. Gilbert Castellanos raises the roof as Costanzo’s rhythm section pushes the envelope. Afro-Cuban jazz holds much excitement when it comes from Costanzo’s hands.

”Skin And Bones,” from Johnny Blas’ album of the same name, features four powerful trombones with Afro-Cuban rhythm section. In person, these four swing the audience and create waves of enthusiasm. On the album, they’ve re-created all those vibrations. It’s a powerful force.

Track listing: Just Another Guajira; Kimbisa; My Favorite Things; Mallet Hands; I Don’t Speak Spanish (But I Understand Everything When I’m Dancing); Skin & Bones; My Dream Boogaloo; Juan Jose; Barret’s Bag; Tresguanco (for Iris Pell)”; Back to the Roots; 42nd and Broadway; Bemba Colora.

Personnel: Francisco Aguabella, Munyungo Jackson- congas, bata; Jack Costanzo, Johnny Blas, Jose de Leon, Johnny Grigs, Ray Armando, Billy King, Snowboy- congas; Robertito Melendez, Samuel “Seguito” Turner- congas, timbales; Humberto “Nengue” Hernandez, Henry “Pucho” Brown, Gordon “Spider” Jones- timbales; Bobby Matos- timbales, guiro; Myles Matthews- timbales, bongos; Skip Howlett, Ernie Colon- bongos; Antoine Caito, Ricardo Pla, Jose de Leon, Jr., Jose “Papo” Rodriguez- bongos, cowbell; Lazaro Galarraga, Joseph Jimenez, Trevor Ware, Paul Van Wageningen- claves; John Santos- guiro; Pondaza Santiel- tumba; Tyrone Govan, Enzo Todesco, Andre Strobert, Horacio Hernandez- drums; Ramon Banda, Mike Holguin- drums, timbales; Davide Giovannini- drums, timbales, vocals; Don Littleton- cascara; Richie Flores- percussion; Dave Pike- marimba; Arturo O’Farrill, David “Mousie” Edmead, Omar Sosa, Victor Cegarra, Theo Saunders, Donald Vega, John “Mad Hatter” Spruill, Robert Lanuza, George Gaffney- piano; Mark Gutierrez- piano, acoustic guitar; Nick Kirksey- piano, vocals; Neil Angilley- Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, mini-moog; Marvin Horne, Dennis Taitt- guitar; Rene Camacho, Carlitos del Puerto, John Belzaguy, Jon Hart, John Moody, Eddie Resto, Eliseo Borrero, Jonathan Pintoff, Andy Gonzales, Nico Gomes, Manny Silvera- bass; Allen Ray, Dave Valentin- flute; Michael Turre- baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, flute; Bob Campbell- baritone saxophone; Eddie Pazant- tenor saxophone, oboe, flute; Nelson Sanamiago- alto saxophone; Louis Taylor, Charles Owens, Gary Plumley, Benn Clatworthy, Steve Feierabend, Michael Brecker- tenor saxophone; Gilbert Castellanos, Bill Caballero, Ron Blaize, Sid Gauld, Joffre Marchand, Stafford Osborne, Jr.- trumpet; Papo Vazquez, Paul Taylor, Francisco Torres, Isaac Smith, Roy Brown, Steve Baxter, Dan Weinstein, Arturo Velasco, Eric Jorgenson, Wayne Wallace- trombone; Antonio Santa Cruz- vocals, cowbell; Derf Reklaw, Marilu- vocals, quinto; Denise Cook- vocals; Orlando Torriente, Martin Padilla, John Lopez, Ismael “East” Carlo- background vocals.

Style: Straight-Ahead/Mainstream/Bop/Hard Bop/Cool
Published: April 02, 2003

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