A Mi Tierra

by Afrodysia

Overview

The members comprising this Latin jazz septet (although there are only six folks depicted in the group photo) originate from Cuba, Austria, Uruguay, South Korea, and the United States. This is a tight-knit outfit for sure. Marked by tricky time signatures, expressive soloing, and oscillating Afro-Cuban grooves, the band also reaps noticeable dividends from Cuban-born diva Deborah Aviles' lighter-than-air vocalizing. On five tracks of this radiantly recorded CD, the singer embellishes the generally peppery grooves with her lyrically rich incantations amid some scat-based vocalese on certain tracks. Guest percussionists, performing tambor chico and tambor repique, enhance the band's meticulously engineered arrangements, as these instruments are rooted within the African-derived Uruguayan rhythmic genre. Hence, the artists perpetuate a multifaceted representation of the Afro-Cuban idiom, awash with multi-reedman Paul Kendall's whispery flute work and other niceties. The musicians consummate the proceedings with a perky rendition of Sonny Rollins' classic "St. Thomas." Overall, the ensemble injects a refreshing viewpoint into familiar musical terrain. ~ Glenn Astarita

Product Details

Release Date:	08/26/2003
Label:	Random Chance
UPC:	0806013001221
Rank:	226600

Tracks

1. Malevo
2. A Mi Tierra
3. Por Si Acaso
4. 'Chate a un Lado
5. Candela
6. Ilusiones
7. Yorugua
8. Para Vos
9. Yatra-Ta
10. Utopia
11. Hide and Seek
12. St. Thomas

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Afrodysia   Primary Artist
Paul Kendall   Flute,Clarinet,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Mark Gatz   Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Luis O. "Luisito" Andino   Bata,Guiro,Congas
Arturo Prendez   Tambor Piano
Deborah Aviles   Vocals
Washington Guanco   Tambor Chico
Stefan Held   Bass,Fretless Bass
Mario Cazeneuve   Keyboards,Agogo Bell,Vocals (Background)
Eloy Carrizo   Tambor Repique

Technical Credits

Ed McConnell   Design
Mario Cazeneuve   Composer,Arranger
Tania Maria   Composer
Sonny Rollins   Composer
Faustino Oramas   Composer
Deborah Aviles   Arranger,Composer
Marina Grovensky   Liner Notes
Steven Carniol   Mixing,Mastering,Recording