Customer Reviews

Mardi Gras Mambo: Cubanisimo in New Orleans

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Latin Thing in New Orleans music has too often been overshadowed, even though the city has produced a steady, diverse stream of talented Latin musicians and bands. This joyful album is a corrective and a historical compendium in one package and very exciting.

This is the finest representation to date of this sweltering orchestra's unbeatable live shows. The New Orleans-flavored lines meld fantastically with the rock-solid percussion. These tunes are even hotter live! Congratulations to Alemany and Joe Boyd-this gets my vote for record of the year.

If you like the sounds of Mongo Santamaria and the late Tito Puente, this is a must buy.

Remember the days when you could just hop on board the ferry
from New Orleans to Havana? Yeah, ok, nobody does, but back at
the beginning of the 20th century, the daily ferry between the two
cities helped to foster musical exchanges, and Cubanismo's latest
record represents not only an attempt to recover some of the lost
historical closeness of the two cities, but also to create a new, syncretic
sound, blending Latin jazz and its counterpart from Louisiana. The
New Orleans classics with a Cuban twist (tracks 2&5) are fun, but I tend to
prefer the Cuban rumbas which are boogied up (tracks 3&11).

If you think this is yet another "Salsa" album, guess again. This is a truely creative fusion of Afro-American and Afro-Carribean music and rhythms. If you read the negative reviews of this work, notice how the reviewers simply seem upset because this album didn't fall into their narrow view of what music should be. As a musician, I can testify to the creative fun and soul found on this album. Just listen to the samples yourself.

I am a big fan of Jesus Alemany and Cubanismo. Whenever they perform in the New York City area I am always there to support them. I have seen them countless times and have all their CD's.

The concept of blending Cuban rhythms with music from (the cradle) New Orleans is a good one in theory, but in my opinion the results are mixed. When it works it is very good. The problem is it doesn't always work!

I take nothing away from Cubanismo, I think they are one of the hottest and most professional bands on the Latin music scene today and I applaud their willingness to try out new concepts and material. All bands who are worth their salt do this.

Obviously, there are die hard Cubanismo fans who will disagree with my thoughts. Just this once, we can agree to disagree. Can't wait to see what Cubanismo will come up with next! They are still one of my favorite bands.

I am a huge Cubanismo fan. I live in Baltimore, MD. I have seen them at Wolftrap,in Richmond, in Deleware, and even here in B-more. My buddy and I anxiously awaited the release of Mardi Gras Mambo. Expecting to hear that unsurpassed Cubanismo sound.... we were GREATLY DISAPPOINTED!!!!! Where are the strong solos that only Alemany can produce? The outstanding arrangements we have come to know and love? This would be a great cd from any other band. It however doesn't come close to the standard set by Cubanismo's usually sizziling sound.

Carribean flavors from both sides of the shore! Cubanismo brings their sizzling rhythms, fusing with the hot jazzy grooves of New Orleans. What a feast!

I just buy this CD for the quality of Mr. Alemany (trumpet) and his band.
If do you think that you have hear every mix in salsa and cuban music just buy this CD to listen but listen this Cd from the beginning to the last number. What your are going to discover? Nice mix between cuban music with new orleans music. Cubanismo with Yochamo All Stars. English and Spanish mix but tropical sound that every one is going to like.

Gracias Jesús Alemany por tener la magnífica idea de fusionar la música de Nueva Orleans y la cubana. El resultado es un ábum con diferentes ritmos, los mismos que podríamos encontrar en los carnavales de Cuba o en los de la bochornosa Nueva Orleans. Por destacar algunas canciones, no os perdais Mardis Gras Mambo y Marie Laveaux.