Customer Reviews

Rumba Foundation

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just got it today - and love it! A great mix of upbeat dancing type of melodies and gentle heartstring tugging, harmonious pieces of music. Jesse's fluency on guitar never ceases to entertain me. I have all his CD's and love every one of them. Well done again Jess!
From Elly 'down under'in Aussieland

Jesse Cook's newest CD, The Rumba Foundation, is a spectacular and must have CD for those of us who love flamenco music. The mixture of Cuban/African rhythems with flamenco music brings a whole new experience to one's listening pleasure. This is a CD that you will want to listen to over and over again. It touches your soul as you lose yourself in the music. There is a good mixture of slow and fast pieces. My favorite piece is "Afternoon at Satie's". I love that ethereal sounding instrument in the background. (What is it?) Overall, there is a nice flow from one musical piece to the next. I especially like how he uses the Improv 1 and Improv 2 as musical segues to their following pieces. In addition, I enjoy hearing the distant sound of the musicans (dancers?) in the piece "Gaita". I feel like I'm there live watching and listening to this performance! The only piece that seems kind of odd to be included in this CD is "Cecilia". While I think Cook's rendition of this Simon & Garfunkel song is really good, I'm not sure why it is part of this CD.

another triumph for jesse cook. nice and mellow for him this time. such a pleasure to just sit back and listen. if you like me are a fan of this genre you will not miss with this one. will be seeing jesse cook in concert in nov 09. hope he will include many of cuts from this super cd

Major talent and totally enjoy ea. product that comes on the market. First in line to buy. Not sure about "Cecelia", had to check the track list to confirm. Why?
The DVD from Canada was wonderful. I will be seeing you at the Duncan in Ft. Worth come 1/10. Looking forward to it. You are the real deal.

I am only now discovering Jesse Cook, but hope to hear/find more of his Latin-inspired music. This is a delightful CD, with clever arrangements and some terrific playing by Cook. The number Bogota by Bus is probably something everyone has heard by now--it is an irresistible instrumental that combines fun Latin rhythms and a dose of playful sensuality.
However. For me, the inclusion of that antique lemon, Cecilia, was very strange. Hence, four stars, not five. Yes, yes, I know, I'm disparaging all the Cecilias out there--but the song was never that great. Even when done by that much admired duo of days gone by. I think this song strikes a very false note on this CD, and is totally out of place. Had it been rendered as an instrumental, it would have made a lot more sense. With Cook's clever fingers, it could have even become another amusing number, like Bogota by Bus.

Jesse Cook has been the best Rumba Flamenco player for the last era.
I own all his Cd's and his 1995 debut Tempest for me is his masterpiece I also listen to his fellow Canadian players as Oscar Lopez, Pavlo, Johannes Linstead as well as players like Behzad, Ottmer Libert, Strunz and Farah, Amrik who are all very artistic and play very well but Jesse is the real deal his playing is never overshadowed by his backing instruments but instead these instruments such as violin, drums, percussion, flute and even his clappers are incorporated into his playing in such a subtle way his playing always stands out, he is truely a brilliant player he plays an exotic spanish guitar of mediterranean,rumba flamenco, pop and world tones.
His music is simply beautiful. Rumba Foundation his 2009 release is simply an amazing album it caresses you with the spanish opener Bus to Bogota then mixes with the eastern flavour of Bombay diner and one of my favorite songs on the cd La Rumba De el Jefe this cd is a testimony of his greatness. 2008's Frontiers is also a classic JC CD.

The only reason why I didnt give this review 5 stars is because the first song on the album was so amazing that it was impossible for the rest of the album to match up to it. I had heard the song several times before and thought it was a masterpiece. So when I listened to rest of the album, I kept waiting for another masterpiece but never found it. So my initial reaction to the album was disappointment. However, when I listened to the album a couple more times I realised that actually this is a very good album. So I would actually recommend it.

I eagerly anticipated the arrival of The Rumba Foundation, having become an avid JC fan over the last few years. The music is a bit of a change in direction for him in many ways, taking on quite an organic, stripped down, traditional vibe in many ways, kind of Jesse's "Buena Vista" album in a way. There are so nice tracks on here inclucding some great ballads. However, probably not quite as much 'fire' as some other CDs. Cecilia will I'm sure do well, but I'm not sure it was the best choice of cover because of the perfection of Art and Paul's vocals on the orginal being very hard to get close to, although he's done a good job of it. Overall a good album, although Nomad and Free Fall remain my favourites. If you like Jesse's music, then check out this up and coming artist called Al Marconi ([...]) who shows a lot of similarities both compositionally and in his playing to Jesse. Meanwhile keep up the good work Mr Cook!

I love any music that Jesse Cook plays--such talent! I listen to his CDs' every day--We are honored to have someone like him share his talent with us. Love to Jesse!

Jesse Cook created another epic of music fluently without hesitation or difficulties. He dominated this genres of music along with Johannes Linstead who has a great new album Mistico 2009 too. I find it to be elegant and eclectc.
Listening to these tracks with cup of Mocha after a long day is priceless.......