Search - Jose Lugo Orchestra :: Guasabara (W/Dvd)

Salsa with tuxedo

Marcos | California, USA | 03/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What's funny about the cover, is that the caricature that is supposed to be of Jose Lugo doesn't actually look like him.



I must admit that I am not really a big fan of this format, yet I cannot deny the high musicianship and attention to detail paid in this recording. The saxophones play flawlessly and take it into jazz territory at times. Some of the mambos, using trumpets, saxophones, and trombones are very good. But there is nothing original about it. This is a safe sound, more about re-creating the old sound of big bands that were prevalent in the fifties, though a bit modernized.



On the bonus tracks, it's another story. El Francotirador is an explosive track, about as close to a timba as I've heard any Puertorican salsa come to, and Alla y Aca is an almost nine minute long afro-rumba."

An absolutely swinging record!!!

L. Perdomo | Bronx, NY USA | 01/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a must have! for all the lovers of the quintessential "salsa brava" sound, for people looking for a record to dance to or to simply listen, this record has it all: creative big band arrangements, heavily swinging tracks, and a couple of miniature gems (MB and Puchi) with voice leading reminiscent of arranger/composer greats Clare Fisher or Thad Jones.

Favorites of mine are the version of "El Muñeco" with Cano Estremera and a stunning rendition on "Alivia mis Penas" by Herman Olivera...

I wait anxiously for more releases from pianist/composer/arranger Jose Lugo, who obviously has a great ear for quality in music... Bravo!"