SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA - UNITED WE SWING (2007)
Oscar Hernandez
Leader, piano, musical director
Ray De La Paz Vocals
Wille Torres Vocals, maracas, güiro
Marco Bermudez Vocals
John Walsh Trumpet
Pete Nater Trumpet
Jimmy Bosch Trombone
Dan Reagan Trombone
Mitch Frohman Baritone sax, flute
Luisito Quintero Timbales
George Delgado Congas
Jorge Gonzalez Bongos
Héctor "Maximo" Rodriguez Bass
Héctor Colón Trumpet
Paul Simon Vocals on "Late in The Evening / Tarde en La Noche"
SHO
Intro (Oscar Hernandez) 3:53
Llego La Orquesta (Gil Lopez) 6:02
En El Tiempo Del Palladium (Gil Lopez) 5:43
Se Formó La Rumba (Willie Torres) 5:33
Sacala Bailar (Oscar Hernandez) 6:11
Ahora Si (Georgio Montessino)
5:26
Que Bonito (Marco Bermudez) 5:23
Salsa Pa'l Bailador (Ray De La Paz)
4:36
Mujer Divina (Nick Jimenez) 5:30
Soy Candela (Johnny Ortiz) 5:17
Plena Con Sabor (Oscar Hernandez)
4:36
Danzon For My Father (Oscar Hernandez)
6:06
Late In The Evening / Tarde En La Noche (Paul Simon) 4:12
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
review by Nancy N. Ortiz
Spanish Harlem Orchestra arrived in 2000 and is directed by world-renown pianist/arranger/producer, Oscar Hernández. The 13 member Spanish Harlem Orchestra has established itself as a standard bearer of contemporary Latin music.
Featuring the most accomplished players in the New York Latino community, "United We Swing" is a stunning collection of infectious Latin music from an all-star lineup that also includes a special guest appearance by Paul Simon. United We Swing, is the third album of this outstanding thirteen-member all-star ensemble. There's a sense of mission in the orchestra to preserve the sounds of New York old school, heavy salsa.
Bringing back New York and Puerto Rico in the late 60s and 70s, the music is so strong and so alive, that it hardly feels like a preservation project.
As always Oscar picks the cream of the crop, who he felt would tell the story in a musical way of "what this music should be." In addition to Oscar, other colleagues who helped with the musical arrangements on this album are: Sonny Bravo, Gil López, Angel Fernandes, and José Febles. Wow!
This CD opens with an upbeat and fabulous introduction by Oscar, who introduces the band and the show begins with Llegó La Orquesta, and yes it has arrived ---- you know it's a dancer's delight, there is no way-- you could sit through their music. From beginning to end, it's all good!
This album will satisfy all Salsa Lovers with various songs, such as; Qué bonito (How Lovely) and Salsa pa'l bailador (Salsa the Dancer). I truly enjoyed the Joe Cuba cha-cha-chá, Mujer divina (Divine Lady) with their doo-wop rendition. Soy candela will keep you on fire, then when you hear Plena con sabor (another one of my favorites) its tasty alright and you want only more.
Of course, with SHO there are always surprises and the finale of this album will knock your dancing shoes off and a great way to end a party with special guest artist Paul Simon with one of Simon's top ten hist from his 1980 One-Trick Pony album--- Late in the Evening (Tarde En La Noche) you have got to listen to this great arrangement.
In my opinion this album/group is headed for another Grammy nomination.
