Invitation

Roberto Carcasses | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Velas
• ASIN: B00004TCNS
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,580 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Llego, Llego

2. De la Habana a Nueva York

3. A Puerto Padre

4. Velas Icadas

5. California en Clave

6. Monk's Mood

7. Descargasses

8. ...Y Llego el Invierno

9. Tonada Para Robin

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hot on the heels of arranging and performing on Selma Reis's introspective homage to romantic Cuban boleros The Air of Havana, pianist Roberto Carcassés extroverts himself with high-energy jazz that hones the sharp edge of traditional Cuban music. The descarga "Llego, Llego" kicks off the disc with the flare of Mario "El Indio" Hernandez and Yazek Manzano's tandem trumpets, smoothing the way for a piano tribute to piano-man composer Hilario Durán that's capped by Irakere's Alfredo Thompson on tenor sax. "Monk's Mood" syncopates the Thelonius Monk classic, taking an already up-tempo composition and flinging it into near delirium. The improvised "Descargasses (Ochun)" builds from Pancho Terry's chant to the Orishas as handclaps, good vibes, and rippling piano hold the jam together. Carcassés is one of the finest Cuban pianists and arrangers around, never stooping to convention while staying just this side of the familiar, and the varied material here shows off his melodic gifts to the hilt. --Bob Tarte

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice guy, great CD!, October 19, 2004

By 

Alyce Hothem "culture maven" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invitation (Audio CD)

I met Roberto a few months ago on a trip to Havana. He instructed me and my college latin jazz band and was fantastic. He is one of the most talented pianist alive today and is a great guy to top it all off. A kind-hearted, friendly guy with an amazing talent--a unique blend for sure! Buy his CD!

5.0 out of 5 stars Young, talented and innovative - The future of Latin Jazz, May 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Invitation (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of Bobby Carcasses, Roberto's father, for some time. Bobby's music has always been eclectic and ahead of its time, combining Cuban rhythms with arablic and indian influences, jazzy riffs and occasional scatting. His son, Roberto, is a chip off the old block.

Roberto and his band are young, dynamic musicians who are at the forefront of the next wave of Cuban music. I recently saw Roberto and his band perform live at the closing party for the Havana Film Festival in New York. I was very impressed with the band's exuberance and in general, the high level of musicianship.

Roberto is relatively new to the music scene, however, make no mistake, he is one of young maestro's to watch. Roberto graduated in percussion from the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Cuba in 1991. From 1991 to 1995 he toured with the, Grupo Santiago de Feli, then performed at various Jazz festivals internationally for a number of years. In 1998-99 he taught a jazz workship at Stanford University in California.

Roberto's debut recording is the first in a series called, The Cuban Jazz Project. On INVITATION, Roberto pays homage to three of his musical mentors, Mario Bauza (De La Habana a New York), the late Emiliano Salvador (Puerto Padre), a pianist who influenced a generation of Cuban musicians and a man who requires no introduction, Thelonius Monk (Monk's Mood). Two tracks are totally improvised (...llego el invernio and Tonada para Robin). Their is also a descarga (jam) and lovely Brazilian ballad.

I predict great things from Roberto in the future and recommend INVITATION to anyone who enjoys good music.

4.0 out of 5 stars 'Invitation' to a new sound of afrocuban jazz, June 26, 2000

By 

"arthur_owen_proyectosalsa" (Cali, Colombia, South America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invitation (Audio CD)

Roberto Carcasses is one of the hundreds of young new talents in Havana today, which are focusing on the further development of afrocuban jazz. That's what 'Invitation' is all about, a group of 'third generation' versatile musicians which are equally at home playing jazz improvisations and afrocuban rythms (the group includes 3 former Irakere bandmembers) exploring new possibilities for the genre based on the influence of 'second generation' cuban giants such as Chucho Valdés and Emiliano Salvador, while adding their own spice and reality to this refreshing piece of work.