Customer Reviews

Mecanica Guapa

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I had the honor of seeing this band in concert twice this past summer. As a huge fan of cuban salsa my expectations were high. Dan Den was on fire. This band proved to be the closest to New York Salsa. The vocals from lead singer Jesus Salas proved to be both menacing and heart stopping. Salas is a vital asset to Juan Carlos Alfonso, who is already a legendary fixture in Cuban music. I also had the opportunity to spend sometime with this band on a personal level. They carry such a passion for their music it would entice any salsa fanatic to fall in love with Cuba.

Juan Carlos Alfonso, rapidly emerging as one of Cuba's most brilliant pianists, leads his powerful young band once again to the top of Havana's dance charts (and into the hearts of his fans) with a sound that is polished, yet thoroughly steeped in tradition. Performing professionally since the age of 17, Juan Carlos' gifted playing and arranging have drawn to him a group of musicians capable of giving the world an electrified look at what it means to be on the cutting edge of Cuban music, and what it is to be Cuban in this day and age. This album contains some of the best salsa on the planet. Dan Den can hold a groove like no one else, and then move it into another gear (check out "Ojos que Te Ven") that will leave you breathless and amazed. Tight horn arrangements punctuate every composition and the singing (by Jesus Salas, Puly Hernandez, and Michel Calvo) is top notch. Tunes like "Te Creo pero no Te Entiendo" highlight the incendiary piano playing of this band's driving creative force, Juan Carlos Alfonso, whom I hope will continue to bring us the best of modern salsa.