HENRY
MORA ORCHESTRA - ROUND MIDNIGHT
A rich blend of salsa and jazz with the Big Band
sound of the thirties and forties and a smooth dancing beat
Henry Mora Orchestra - Lover man
Henry Mora Orchestra - El menu
Henry Mora Orchestra - Round Midnight
Henry Mora Orchestra - Canto de el Pajaro
Henry Mora Orchestra - Cry me a river
Henry Mora Orchestra - Puerto Rico
Henry Mora Orchestra - Unforgettable
more
tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels
Review by
Frank Villafane
Big Band
lovers, you are in for a treat!
Henry Mora's Salsa Jazz Orchestra
hearkens back to the days when the Tito Rodriguez and Tito Puente Latin Jazz
Orchestras rocked the Palladium 'til the wee hours of the morning with hot,
scintillating Latin Jazz and Salsa. This offering by Henry Mora is no less
scorching, and absolutely delivers.
Take "El
Menu", that El Gran Combo hit from the Seventies - the tune cooks and
simmers, and Henry throws literally "everything" in the pot, and brings it
to a boil (note the flute work by Dave Victorino). His rendition of "Puerto
Rico", Eddie Palmieri's and Ismael Quintana's unforgettable collaboration,
just blows you away. It starts off nice and easy, but quickly rockets into
the stratosphere with the trombones stating the melody a la "instrumental",
but Ruben Rodriguez's vocals soon soar over the brass licks. George
Mcmullen's opening 'bone solo swings, reminding me of the great Barry Rogers.
The tribute to Monk, "'Round Midnight," as well as "Unforgettable" prove to
be just that - unique and unforgettable. "Canto De El Pajaro" is a beautiful
melodic piece that sets a slow, "smokey romantic" mood. "Cry Me A River"
features the talented vocalist Bertha Oropeza, and she really does Henry
Mora's "caliente" arrangement justice.
The
Orchestra members are no less talented, and Henry allows his musicians to "stretch
out and strut their stuff", something not often heard of in today's
formula-driven Salsa.
All in all,
the CD is a great piece of work, and worthy of a listen. Put it on, dim the
lights, grab your honey, and hit the floor! A Gozar!
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