BOBBY SANABRIA - BIG BAND URBAN FOLKTALES (2007)
Bobby Sanabria
- Arranger, Drums, Marimba, Vocals (bckgr), Choir, Chorus,
Handclapping, Producer, Vibraphone, Executive Producer, Vocal
Arrangement, Mixing, Concept, Soloist, Screams, Caja, Percussion
Arrangement, Shouts
Peter Brainin - Kazoo, Sax (Soprano), Soloist
Kevin Bryan - Trumpet, Kazoo, Lead
Justin Davis - Trumpet, Kazoo, Soloist
Joe Fiedler - Trombone, Arranger, Kazoo, Soloist,
Trombone Arrangement, Lead
Alex Hernandez - Kazoo, Vocals, Bass (Acoustic),
Soloist
Gene Jefferson - Choir, Chorus
Ricardo S. Pons - Flute, Kazoo, Sax (Baritone),
Vocals (bckgr), Choir, Chorus, Handclapping, Soloist, Prayers
Christian A. Rivera - Conga, Kazoo, Vocals
Ray Santos - Arranger
Tim Sessions - Trombone, Kazoo, Soloist
Charenée Wade - Vocals, Scat, Soloist
Chris
Washburne - Arranger, Kazoo,
Trombone (Bass), Soloist
1. 57th St. Mambo
2. Pink
3. Since I Fell For You
4. D Train
5. El Lider
6. El Ache De Sanabria En Moderacion
7. Besame Mucho
8. The Crab
9. O Som Do Sol
10. Blues For Booty Shakers
11. The Grand Wazoo
12. Obrigado Mestre
more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
review by Edward Blanco - courtesy www.ejazznews.com
Master mamboist, percussionist extraordinaire and Nuyorican jazz wonder, Bobby Sanabria crafts a special big band album fusing the sounds of Afro-Cuban, samba, blues and jazz in one package full of fine orchestrations and heavy percussive beats. The personnel is a mixture of talented youths and experienced virtuosic veterans like tenorist Peter Brainin and trombonist Chris Washburne in all comprising a twenty two-piece orchestra including those who provide only vocals.
For those who like the Latin jazz sound, this disc will have you shaking your hips and moving your shoulders to Sanabria’s explosive percussions and the band’s powerful expressions. The opening salvo is an original tune by trumpeter Michael Phillip Mossman entitled “57th St. Mambo,” a hot number featuring the trumpeter and the leader on appreciable solos.
The music mellows out just a tad for that wonderful classic “Since I Fell For You,” with vocals provided by Charenee Wade in a tune that develops as a beautiful Latin ballad. The following track, “D Train,” is another percussive big band burner with solos from trombonist Tim Sessions, trumpeter Andrew Neesley, and Jeff Lederer on the tenor.
The other track with lead vocals is the immortal “Besame Mucho,” voiced by Hiram “El Pavo” Remon and accompanied by a Brainin solo on soprano and Dave Miller on trombone. A favorite track for me is the Brazilian samba “O Som Do Sol,” arranged as a big band number containing a slew of solos. Sanabria, who performance on the drums and percussions is masterful throughout this album, takes on the vibes with a terrific solo on his own chart, “Blues For Booty Shakers.”
Definitely one of the best Latin jazz/big band albums to be released this year, Big Band Urban Folktales is full of fire and energy delivering an impressive big band punch. Bobby Sanabria comes through with another exciting performance as leader and musician further cementing his reputation as one of the best percussionist in the jazz world.
