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Bobby Sanabria: Vox Humana
ByIt might help with the lyrics, but you don't have to speak Spanish to understand this music because melody, rhythm and music are universally understood forms of communication and the top notch performances by vocalists and instrumental soloists express it so wonderfully in these songs. The second track, "Capullito De Aleli," is another stand out cut, and features vocals by Jennifer Jade Ledesna as well as great solos by pianist Darwin Noguera and Andrew Gould on alto sax.
The good-time music continues on track five with Antoinette Montague singing the 1946 Louis Jordan hit "Let The Good Times Roll" featuring Armando Vergara on the trombone with plunger mute. Then a couple of tracks later the tempo slows a bit with Montague again singing the Gershwins' "I Love You Porgy."
On the tenth track vocalist Janis Siegel of the The Manhattan Transfer steps up front with a great version of "Spooky" featuring some fine scat vocals. A couple of cuts later she sings the Steely Dan hit "Do It Again" along with Ledesna and Montague joining in, and Noah Bless on trombone and Gabrielle Garo on flute.
While the intention of this album seems to be to feature vocalists, the instrumental soloists and the big band as a whole all shine with tight arrangements and inspired solos. The final track, "Mi Congo," shows us this with violinist Benjamin Sutin starting an array of solos including trumpets and saxophones and percussionists.
In 2023 it may be hard to imagine a time when jazz music was a mainstream popular music, where people would go to clubs, concert venues and dance halls to dance and party. This album recalls those times with updated arrangements and perfect execution.
Track Listing
Caravan; Capullito De Aleli; Puerto Rico, Partido Alto; Let The Good Times Roll; Who Taught You That; I Love You Porgy; Genie In A Bottle; Amazonas; Spooky To Be With You; Do It Again; Mi Congo.
Personnel
Bobby Sanabria
congasJanis Siegel
vocalsAntoinette Montague
vocalsJennifer Jade Ledesna
vocalsDavid DeJesus
saxophoneAdditional Instrumentation
Oreste Abrantes: congas; Matthew Gonzalez: bongó cencerro, barril de bomba, requinto pandereta, ganza, Puerto Rican guicharo, agogo; Takao Heisho: Cuban guiro, agogo bells, claves, cuica, pandeiro, maracas, shekere, tambourine; Leo Traversa: electric bass; Max Darché: lead trumpet; Dave Miller: lead trombone; Ben Sutin:electric: violin; Gabrielle Garo: flute; Andrew Gould: alto. sax; Peter Brainin: tenor sax, Jeff Lederer: tenor sax; Danny Rivera:bar sax;Matt Hilgenberg: trumpet; Jonathan Challoner: trumpet; Andrew Neesley: trumpet;Noah Bless:trombone; Armando Vergara:trombone; Chris Washburne: bass trombone
Album information
Title: Vox Humana | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Jazzheads