Customer Reviews

Latin Soul

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Around the time this CD was released, salsa dancing seemed to become the "hot" thing for gringos like me. Fresh out of a few classes with some rudimentary steps under my belt, my date and I stumbled into this little known (to me) club called the Conga Room in Los Angeles where Poncho Sanchez was playing.

At first all I could do was try to concentrate on my steps as I quickly became aware of just how much I needed to learn (the dancers packed into this intimate club are incredible). After I loosened up a bit I started realizing just how good the music was. Before long we both became lost in the music and we danced for hours. Something about the repetitiveness, the rhythms, just waves of pleasure that flow endlessly. What a wonderful time!

Being completely new to this type of music, it wasn't until long after that I realized this guy is practically a legend. Sometimes when you least expect it, life deals you pleasant surprises, you know? No CD could completely recreate the experience of "being there" but I would say this comes the closest. Listening to it makes we want to take the intermediate classes now. :-)

This is an absolutely hot, hot CD. I have given four copies of this to various friends and family who have expressed an interest in Latin Jazz, and I can think of no other album that is a better introduction to this form of music--something for everyone. It's impossible to keep your body still while listening. Some purests don't like live recordings, but since I'm not one, I loved the interaction between the audience and band. Anxiously awaiting his next CD and hope it's half as good as this was is.

Congero at it's best!. This CD gets you into the "Salsa" mood even if you are listening to it at your office--"careful not to get caught by your manager dancing on your desk"-- Full of rich conga sounds and latino brass wraped in fine jazz this is a delighful esperience from the mellow "Besame Mama", to the powerful "El congero"....still there?....get it!

The best thing about this album is that it grooves. My personal favorite is "Watermelon Man." I also enjoyed the "Congo Blue," where at the end, there are three shekeres going at the same time. It is a lot of rhythmical fun. Although the arrangements might not be the most complex, this music will hit you in your soul.

"Afro-Cuban Fantasy" was my first Poncho Sanchez CD, and while it was nice listening of course, it wasn't as good as expected due to its over-production and lack of a latin sound. Not so with this CD, however!

This has a very authentic, full, and alive sound to it; the presence of which is not fealt so much in "Afro-Cuban Fantasy" and other such CDs. The solos on this album are all very alive (though it seems that all of Scott Martin's solos sound sorta the same), and the piano and congas provide an excellent, latin-ish background. By the way, my own favourite track on this was probly "Ican" (also highly recommended is "Besame Mama.")

If you enjoyed this disc, I strongly recommend Mingus Amungus' "Live in Cuba," though it's kinda obscure and not currently on amazon.

While I agree with Darío Zapata's review that Poncho's neither the most varied nor the most inspired Latin Jazz percusionist, Latin Soul is likely to be his best recent album. The Groove is here and although the style is a bit repetitive it's good fun. Anyway, it'd be tough to make classics such as Cold Duck Time boring as the rain.

Give it a try.

This is fantastic. You can just imagine the hotest clubs around, the smoke-filled room, the people enjoying themselves. I wish I was there.

I agree with other people here. His solos are way too repetitive and boring. I just can't understand how the other musicians can play so many times the same extremely easy phrase so Poncho gets to do his solos,... which, by the way, are not that great.
I also don't see the point in their singing. First of all neither him nor the other singers really knows how to sing, but worse, the lyrics are really poor, extremely predictive and base.
Overall, I think he has been overestimated by the media.

Poncho Sanchez in effect offers what has made him a legend among those who truely appreciate his endeavors. Latin Soul, with crisp clarity and numbing display of artistic ability offers the listener not only a glimpse into Poncho's craft, but to the genius of latin jazz.

Just listen to what I consider the holy trinity of this CD, tracks 6-Lisa, 7-Besame Mama and 8-Guaripumpe (i.e. Power, Passion and Soul.)

Absolutely Stunning! Poncho harnesses not only his artistic ability but displays the genius of latin soul.

Just listen to the holy trinity of this cd, 6-Lisa, 7-Besame Mama and 8-Guaripumpe, i.e. Power, Passion and Soul, the mark of a true latin jazz artist.