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Juanita Euka: Mabanzo
ByOpening with "Alma Seca," the Afro-Cuban sounds reflect the music's tradition, adding elements of today's pop and Latin jazz. Euka's vocals have a sensual overtone, and her notes ring with robust fullness. Sanders' subtle guitar work adds variety, and rhythmic and harmonic colors. His solo is melodic and matches Euka's sensuality. The vocal harmonies are rich as the call and response between the lead and harmonies build the energy and add diversity to the arrangement. Euka successfully brings her varied musical influences into play and delivers a beautiful opening selection.
The energy heightens with the danceable "Nalingi Mobali Te." The horns add textures and colors, with a pure contemporary Congolese guitar figure supporting the feel. Euka's impassioned singing is lilting with Afro-Cuban rhythms. Each section of the song has new elementsinstruments, countermelodies, and full horn parts; feel-good music at its best.
Mabanzo introduces a strong vocalist and a winning team with Euka and Sanders. Sanders is the leader and musical director of the jazz-world fusion collective Teotima, which has released two critically acclaimed LPs on First Word Records. His arrangements and production for Congolese-Argentinian singer Juanita Euka is a solid match.
Track Listing
Alma Seca; Mboka Moko; For All It's Worth; Sueños De Libertad; Nalingi Mobali Te; Blood; Baño De Oro; Motema; Camarades; War Is Over; Irresolute; Alma Seca (Acoustic Version).
Personnel
Juanita Euka
vocalsFlora Curzon
violinKareem Dayes
celloGraeme Flowers
trumpetKieran McLeod
tromboneFabio de Oliveira
drumsBen Assiter
drumsAdditional Instrumentation
Greg Sanders: guitar, bass guitar, Cuban acoustic guitar), synthesizer, percussion programming; Chris Williams: Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone; Will Fry: Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Guiro.
Album information
Title: Mabanzo | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced
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