Orchestral Salsa
01/31/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first got wind of this Jazz on the Latin Side CD listening to KUOW-Seattle's Voz Latina radio show (Sunday nights 7-9 p.m. at 94.9 on your FM dial), when host Lisa Levy played Joe Rizo's "Descarga de Borgers." I was transported, transformed, transmogrified by this rich, complex, almost orchestral instrumental salsa piece. I'm a salsa dancer, and I heard this in my car; I practically had to pull over I was so moved by the rythms. The "Jazz on the Latin Side" track is similar, but not quite as rich and complex, still very dance-able; "Presentimiento" is more like a cumbia tune, with an easy-to-follow rythm and vocals. "What if..." sounds like Tito Puente -- lots of percussion, plenty of fun. If you love salsa, add this to your collection, if only for "Descarga de Borgers.""