Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Yolanda Duke: Te Llevo Bajo La Piel
Yolanda Duke: Te Llevo Bajo La Piel
ByAfter recording a tribute album to Latin singer Guadalupe Victoria Yoli "La Lupe," who performed with Tito Puente for some time, the percussionist invited Duke to perform with his orchestra as a guest and eventually as a permanent member of the band for several years. Today, she carries on Puente's legacy by performing with his old band around the world. For this album, "La Duke," as she is often referred to, enlists many former members of the old Puente Orchestra and also calls upon trumpet master Arturo Sandoval as a special guest appearing on "Contigo En La Distancia" where Sandoval not only performs a trumpet solo but, also plays the piano.
Opening with loud shouts from the orchestra, La Duke's crisp vocals reaches on a terrific interpretation of the classic Errol Garner standard "Misty," then turns soulful and spicy on the Cole Porter title track "Te Llevo Bajo La Piel." The Latin beat remains strong and percussive on the other Porter standard, "Eso Que Llaman Amor (What Is This Thing Called Love)" while the Ira & George Gershwin immortal tune "Nadie Me Lo Podra Quitar (They Can't Take That Away From Me)," is one of the highlights of the disc displaying the singer's playful vocals with perhaps the best instrumental performance from the ensemble.
All of the above standards, with different interpretations, are found on her previous recordings as are the music from Rafael Hernandez ("Muchos Besos") and Myrta Silva's "Medley Myrta Silva," while the Neil Sedaka song "Extrano Aquellos Anos (The Hungry Years)" as well as the two versions of "Dios, Come Ti Amo!," are original to this album. A truly amazing performance from the Queen of Latin Soul, Yolanda Duke swings and impresses on Te Llevo Bajo La Piel making this marriage of traditional American standards with a big band Latin approach, an engaging and exciting experience worth repeated spins, very well done!
Track Listing
La Neblina De Tu Amor; Te Llevo Bajo La Piel; Contigo En La Distancia; Eso Que Llaman Amor; Muchos Besos; Dios, Como Te Amo!; Nadie Me Lo Podra Quitar; Luna Azul; Medley Myrta Silva; Extrano Aquellos Anos; Dios Como Te Amo!
Personnel
Yolanda Duke: vocals; Arturo Sandoval: trumpet, piano (3); Champian Fulton: piano (1); Ricky Gonzalez: piano (6, 11); Ruben Rodriguez: bass (6, 11); Sonny Bravo: piano; Gerry Madera: bass; Willie -Cuch Be Wictha- Martinez: drums; Jose Madera: timbales; John Rodriguez:bongo, bell, guiro; Luis Contero: conga, bongo, bell, timbales (6,11); George Delgado: conga; Bobby Porcelli: alto saxophone, flute; Pete Miranda: baritone saxophone; Mitch Fruhman: tenor saxophone, flute; Peter Brainin: tenor saxophone, flute; Todd Bashore: tenor saxophone, flute; John Walsh: trumpet; Kevin Bryan: trumpet; Pete Nater: trumpet; Richard Viruet: trumpet; Lewis Kahn: trombone; Noah Bless: trombone; Reynaldo Jorge: trombone; Sam Burtis: trombone.
Album information
Title: Te Llevo Bajo La Piel | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Amigo Musik