Irving Flores: Armando Mi Conga

Every now and again an artist releases an album that is so striking, so stellar, that it cements their legacy forever, not in a way that the artist can never grow beyond the album's greatness, but in a way that propels them beyond it. Pianist Irving Flores and his all-star Afro- Cuban Jazz Sextet have created such an album. Armando Mi Conga (Amor de Flores) consists of eight breathtakingly beautiful original compositions plus a bonus track (a solo piano version of the track written for Flores' wife, Amanda) of Afro-Cuban jazz played by some of the best, most talented musicians in the industry including Flores (piano), Giovanni Hidalgo (congas), Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (drums), Brian Lynch (trumpet), John Benitez (upright and electric bass), and Norbert Stachel (sax, clarinet, and flute). What these musicians were able to create together is clearly a work that is rooted in celebration: a celebration of culture, a celebration of skill and pure musicianship (the group recorded the album in two days with no rehearsal), a celebration of art, and a celebration of love.

Right out of the proverbial gate, Hidalgo's congas lay the groundwork for what's to come. On the title track "Armando Mi Conga," he lays out a blistering opening solo that was inspired by and dedicated to his father, famed Puerto Rican conga player José "Mañengue" Hidalgo. A master of the congas himself, Hidalgo takes care to ground the song with his propulsive rhythms while the remaining members of the sextet join in creating a sound that dances through time.

On "With Amanda in Favignana," Flores puts his love for his wife, Amanda, front and center. Inspired by a trip the pair took to Favignana, Italy, the song has a romantic air that, despite the full sextet playing on the track, feels like a straight-ahead trio record, with contributions from Flores and Lynch at its heart. Hidalgo and Hernández are present, however. Playing a lot more subdued and taking a back seat to Flores and Lynch, the duo's contributions are difficult to overlook as the song progresses. It's their light touch that brings a slight flair to the music that seemingly floats between the notes.

On "Tramonto A Massa Lubrense," Flores opens with a masterful piano solo that ushers in stunning contributions from Benitez and Hernández. Listening to Flores' solo, it feels as if he's gotten lost in the music. He's a brilliant musician, and that brilliance is on full display here. Benitez's bass and Hernández's soft brush strokes on drums offer the perfect accompaniment.

Armando Mi Conga is a complete record. It's a Latin-jazz record from beginning to end, and it's glorious. Flores brought together the perfect cast for the Afro-Cuban Jazz Sextet. Together, they created a fantastic work during a time when what is beautiful about Latin music, culture, and people deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated. Although aspects of Flores' life heavily influenced the album, the feeling the music invokes is universal. ¡Bravo!