Manuel Valera: New Cuban Express

Pianist Manuel Valera has been liberally mixing and melding Cuban forms with modern jazz ideals since his first record—Forma Nueva (Mavo Music, 2004)—put him on the map, but his methods have changed and evolved. He expanded his aural framework by working a woodwind quintet into the musical fabric of Vientos (Anzic Records, 2007), which showed glimpses of his more reflective side, and he took standards to task, tackling the music on his own terms on the winning Currents (MAXJAZZ, 2009). Now, with New Cuban Express, Valera is finding joy in balancing Cuban traditions, fusion fashions, funky underpinnings and contemporary ideals.

Spicy grooves and scintillating solos surface frequently throughout this high-energy affair. Valera and his five feisty companions explore various avenues of music, but nearly all of it benefits from a strong injection of Cuban rhythmic charisma. The title track is a lively, but controlled thrill ride, a sunny and propulsive piano introduction launches "Upwards," odd-metered music and fusion trappings abound on "Choices," and breezy island living transformed into exotic nightlife is embodied in "Danzon."

While the album contains more than its share of winning music, the mid-album run from "Regards" through "Gismonteando" provides the most thrills. "Regards" mixes pure Cuban music with hints of The Headhunters-style funk, "Poly" burns hotter than a five-alarm fire, "Intro To "Gismonteando" gives Mauricio Herrera a chance to raise holy hell with hand drumming and "Gismonteando" grooves with the best of them, and shines a light on guitarist Tom Guarna and bassist John Benitez.

The too-bland-for-its-own-good "Me Faltas Tu" and the brief "Interlude" are the only numbers that don't really measure up, but the other eleven tracks more than make up for it. Those who have repeatedly cited a Chick Corea influence in Valera's sound will still find it here, but it's only a small part of the overall makeup of the sound. New Cuban Express is a killer vehicle that rides the rails of excitement from start to finish. This is another home run for Manuel Valera.

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