ALEX WILSON - INGLATERRA (2007)
Lead Vocals: Alfonso de Jesus (1,7), Davide Giovannini (1,2,8), Lauren Dalrymple (8), Osvaldo Chacon (5), Shahid Abbas Khan (3), MC Magico (6,9), Criolla (6), Mary Pearce (2,9), Aquilla Fearon (4)
Backing Vocals: Alfonso de Jesus (1,2,7), Davide Giovannini (1,2,3,5,7), Joe de Jesus (8)
Trumpets: Shanti Paul Jayasinha (1,2,4,5,6,7), Steve Dawson (1,2,7), Darren Wiles (4), Jesus Alemany (8)
Trombones: Trevor Mires (1,2,3,4,6,7), Joe de Jesus (8)
Saxophones: Paul Booth (5,8)
Timbales/Kit: Davide Giovannini (1,2,3,5,7,8), David Pattman (4,6)
Congas: Emeris Solis (1,2,3,4,5,7), David Pattman (6), Thomas Dyani (8)
Bongo: David Pattman (all tracks)
Tabla: Kuljit Bhamra (3)
Hand Percussion: David Pattman (all tracks)
Drum Programming: Alex Wilson (2,6,9)
Bass: Rey Crespo (1,2,5,7), Javier Fioramonti (3,4), Neville Malcolm (8)
Piano / Keyboards: Alex Wilson
1. La Vida Que Nos Merecemos (Crespo/Giovannini/Wilson/MCS)
2. Show Me (Giovannini/Pearce/Wilson/MCS)
3. Oh Kuri (Bhamra/WIlson/MCS)
4. Ain't Nobody (Wolinski/EMI Music Publishing)
5. Pega' En Inglaterra (Chacon/Wilson/MCS)
6. Sube Lo (Criolla/Ortiz/Wilson/MCS)
7. Inglaterra (Jimenez/Wilson/MCS)
8. Nature Boy (Ahbez/Crestview-Music Corp/Chappell Morris Ltd)
9. Show Me Remix (Giovannini/Pearce/Wilson/MCS)
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
Review by Latin Lady Dj Margarita for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Salsa without boundaries is what you’ll find here with Alex Wilson’s most recent project “Inglaterra.” Salsa from the UK? Absolutely, and extremely well done at that!
I found “Inglaterra” to be indicative of the melting pot that the world has become, where Salsa, Timba, Afro-Cuban rhythms and even Reggaeton come together in a tasteful and uniquely choreographed presentation.
Alex opens with “La Vida Que Nos Merecemos” (The life that we deserve) and the opening line states.. “reparte, reparte, que para todos hay …. sabroso”… (share, share, there’s enough for all…. delicious).
This number is excellent for dancing, jazzy, upbeat with brassy horns in several sections, and never losing its momentum or tumbao, bringing it all together towards the end with great clave and timba rhythms that are ever-present in today’s Cuban music.
“Show Me” the second track is done primarily in English, and begins slow then moves into a Salsa-Funk-Reggae kind of rhythm then breaks into more of a Salsa dance song, but it too never loses the funky side or its clave. The fusion of so many rhythms is wonderful.You’ll definitely want to hang tight for the high energy timba finish.
The term “melting pot” has been used to describe the variety of specific races of people that can be found in one certain location, county, town or island such as “Hawaii”. “Inglaterra” once again offers that “melting pot” quality again here with track 3. Remember Salsa has no boundaries, as is evident by “Oh Kuri.” I’m not going to even spoil the surprise on this one. You’re going to have to go out and get your own copy of the CD. Simply amazing!
Track 4 offers yet another great salsa arrangement in the form of Chaka Kahn’s “Ain’t Nobody”. This is definitely a very cool piece of music!
Additional tracks include: Pega’ En Inglaterra, Subelo, Inglaterra, Nature Boy, Show Me (remixed)
If “Inglaterra” is in any way indicative of the caliber of music that is coming out of the UK then I say “Bravo” and keep it coming! Congratulations to Alex Wilson on a job well done.
Highly recommended.
