I have been enjoying the music of Spanish Harlem Orchestra for several years. I first saw them burning up the Main Stage at the San Jose Jazz Festival. They were spectacular. They got the audience dancing on their feet. Their musicianship was superb and their vocals and dance moves were tight.
Viva la Tradicón, their debut release on Concord Picante (9/28/10), continues Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s fine tradition of making great music as they celebrate the orchestra’s 10th year anniversary. The album opens with the very energetic salsa track “La Salsa Dura” which features their fantastic horn section and lively vocals composed by Cuban salsa composer Manuel Simonet. This collection of 12 songs is comprised largely of original compositions arrangements of classic salsa tunes by bandleader/founder Oscar Hernandez. It also includes the support of veteran composer and arranger Gil Lopez on three of Lopez’s compositions (“Son De Corazon,” “Nuestra Cancion,” and “Regala De Dios.”) One of his songs, “Nuestra Cancion,” is a very romantic ballad. Lopez explains the ballad as “you need to listen to this, because this is how it was done back in those days. It was just beautiful music.” I also enjoyed the cool rhythms of “Como Baila Mi Mulata.” Eleven of the tracks include the harmonic vocal talents of Ray De La Paz, Marco Bermudez, and Carlos Cascante. The instrumental piece “Rumba Urbana” includes a wonderful piano solo from bandleader Oscar Hernandez and a great sax solo from Mitch Frohman. The album closes with “El Negro Tiene Tumbao” which features guest vocalist Isaac Delgado.
Viva la Tradicón preserves of the legacy of Latin jazz and salsa music and is sure to bring the Spanish Harlem Orchestra new fans of their incredible music.
