Customer Reviews

Live at the Dakota 2

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I heard "Spain in the Twins" from "Live at the Dakota Vol. 2" on the only jazz radio station in Indy, WICR (88.7). I ran out and bought this CD immediately. Oh my God! Nachito Herrera and his band play the best Latin music I've ever heard. And, I've heard my share of the good, bad and ugly. They live and record in the Twin Cities-of all places! When there is a blizzard on the prairie, this band melts the "PERFECT STORM". If you like this disc, you'll also enjoy Eddie Palmieri's astounding CD, "Listen Here" (2005).

Ignacio "Nachito" Herrera was raised in Cuba and was fortunate to receive the guidance of many of Cuba's top pianists, including the late Ruben Gonzalez of Buena Vista fame, before growing up to join the acclaimed Cubanismo! Band which toured the world. The influence is evident in his stylings on this live album - he takes an idea and floats it up the scales, he pounds and bounces when he wants to be forceful, and he skips across the keyboard when he wants to be playful. The arrangements are fresh, the rhythms engaging, and the band lively. I recommend Spain in the Twins (tk 2) for its powerful tempo and feel changes, Danzon para Aurora (tk 7) for its classic Cuban feel, and Speak No Evil (tk 3) for a Latin take on a Wayne Shorter standard. Track 8 is slow, with drawn out vocals and Track 1 is just an intro, but otherwise, you can't go wrong here.