Cuba L.A.
DOS
(Narada World)

This is the second release from Cuba L.A., a group comprised of Cuban musicians residing in the U.S. The group, led by flautist Danilo Lozano, includes Luis Conte (congas, percussion), Carlos Puerto (bass), Alberto Salas (piano), Michito Sanchez (bongos, percussion), Orestes Vilato (timbales, percussion), Luis Eric (trumpet, flugelhorn), Harry Kim (trumpet), and Pablo Mendes (violin, viola). The repertoire is mostly instrumentals, with the exception of two tracks, Lagrimas Negras, which features Iris Sandra Cepeda from Arte Mixto on vocals, and Guantanamera, which features Carlos Parra on vocals. Just about every rhythmic style is explored throughout the CD. The band delivers some funky son montunos, lush boleros, and driving congas. Overall this is a very good release well worth you time and investment.



Lila Downs
TREE OF LIFE
(Narada World)

Mesmerizing, captivating, and alluring is Lila's voice, a voice that will keep you attentive through a repertoire of traditional Oaxaca songs, boleros, rancheras, and a mixture of opera, gospel, blues, jazz, and traditional popular Mexican music. The songs, which are delivered in Spanish, Zapotec, Mayan, and Mixtec, need no translation. Lila's sultry and evocative vocal delivery transcends any need for translation. TREE OF LIFE, which is already an international best-seller, is a sure-shot stress reliever which will take you through a mystically musical journey. I love it!



Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge
HEY, IT'S ME
(Left Coast Clave)

This is what Latin Jazz is all about! Mark has his groove on throughout the entire sixty minutes and forty-two seconds. Mark Levine, for those of you that are not familiar with the name, is a very competent, no, let me rephrase that, an extremely competent piano player. Mark and company (Michael Spiro - percussion, Paul van Wageningen - drums, and Peter Barshay - bass) came to this session ready to play and it's reflected throughout this latest release. This was what the legendary Jelly Roll Morton was talking about when he coined the term "Latin tinge". HEY, IT'S ME ranks up there with the very best of the Latin Jazz releases, especially in today's market. This is definitely one jewel of a recording you'll want to add to your collection. A definite Grammy contender, but let's not go there.



 - George Rivera


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