Chuchito Valdes, Jr. - Encantado

Styles: Latin Jazz, Afro Cuban Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:47
Size: 125,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:46)  1. Homenaje Bebo
(8:13)  2. Bolero en Chicago
(5:54)  3. Andariego
(5:40)  4. Son Cha Cha Cha
(9:20)  5. Guaguanco/Montuno
(3:13)  6. Impressions of 'Take the A Train'
(6:05)  7. Giant Steps
(2:33)  8. Danza de los Gigantes
(6:59)  9. Tres Lindas Cubanas

Cuba-born pianist/composer Jesus "Chuchito" Valdes Jr. signifies the third generation of family pianists (his grandfather is Bebo Valdes and his father is Chucho Valdes). With this solo effort, Chuchito's classical training shines forth in radiant fashion amid his Afro-Cuban influences and extensive jazz vernacular. This multi-faceted production features Australia-born saxophonist Laskar Reese among a strong supporting cast of Latin jazz veterans. Here, Valdes Jr. demonstrates his often awe-inspiring technical faculties, as the band pursues traditional, hybrid Afro-Cuban/jazz-based arrangements. Yet, the pianist tosses a bit of convention to the wayside, thanks to his keenly enacted improvisational spin on Duke Ellington's "Take the 'A' Train," aptly titled "Impressions of 'Take the A Train.'" The band furthers this notion on John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," where tenor saxophonist Laskar Reese solos atop the rhythm section's upfront pulse and odd-metered backbeats. Moreover, Valdes Jr. is most effective at reworking melodies and themes into briskly swinging motifs, augmented by lightning-fast arpeggios and rhythmically inclined block chords. Recommended. ~ Glenn Astarita https://www.allmusic.com/album/encantado-mw0000220142

Encantado

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Chuchito Valdes - Reflections

Size: 170,9 MB
Time: 73:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Latin Jazz, Afro Cuban Jazz
Art: Front

01. You're My Hope (5:01)
02. Estefano (9:01)
03. Para Monica (9:51)
04. El Alkadur (8:40)
05. In Memory Of Nelson Mandela (4:47)
06. Povolotty Isi (7:29)
07. Bossa Para Recordar (6:39)
08. La Guajira (5:47)
09. Glassfro (7:21)
10. Bossa Para Recordar (Bonus Track) (6:46)
11. 2374 (2:20)

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, pianist, composer, and arranger Jesus "Chuchito" Valdés, Jr. is the third-generation manifestation of a Cuban jazz piano dynasty that includes his father, Chucho Valdés, and grandfather, Bebo Valdés. The oldest of five siblings, Valdés was a child prodigy, attending and graduating from La Escuela de Musica Ignacio Cervantes. He had his first professional gig at the age of 16, working with Cuban singer and trumpeter Bobby Carcasses, and also accompanied singers Pello El Afrokan and Anibel Lopez for a time. In the mid-'80s Valdés was a member of the Cuban jazz combo Sonido Contemporáneo, and by the late '90s he had taken his father's spot in the renowned Irakere band when the elder Valdés opted to go solo. Eventually Chuchito followed suit, leading his own band and touring behind his fiery brand of Afro-Cuban jazz. He released a debut album, Encantado, in 2002 on Town Crier Records, following it with La Timba in 2002 and Herencia in 2004, both on J&N Records, and Keys of Latin Jazz in 2007 from Sony BMG International. Valdés continues to tour and record, making his home in Cancun, Mexico. ~by Steve Leggett

Reflections

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