Customer Reviews

Zamazu

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An impressive album by Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca, who took over the piano chair in the Buena Vista Social Club after Ruben Gonzales left in '01. Fonseca draws on seemingly limitless styles and resources, and a soulful sense of melody that sets this album apart from many run-of-the-mill Latin jazz workouts: he plays with soul and sensitivity, exploring a rich emotional reservoir that will offer plenty of rewards to receptive listeners. If you're looking for new Latin jazz material that really does justice to both traditions (and doesn't just mash them together), check this album out!

Fresh from producing, arranging and playing on Ferrer's posthumously released album of boleros Mi SueƱo, Fonseca now delivers his fourth album, "Zamazu", a disc as innovative and exciting as "Mi Sueño" is dreamy and traditional.

With Fonseca posed, Justin Timberlake-style, on the cover in leather Byblos hat and black Agnès B coat (the Parisian designer became his self-appointed stylist after being blown away by a concert in France), "Zamazu" redefines Latin jazz with 14 wide-ranging but eminently spiritual pieces recorded in Havana and Brazil.

Most are original compositions: paeans to family, friends and Santeria, the Afro-Cuban religion that merges Catholicism and African beliefs and informs Fonseca's life. All are uplifting and beautiful, modern and outward-looking.

As a legacy of his international travels with Ferrer, "Zamazu" embraces sounds from elsewhere, feeding flamenco, Celtic or North African influences into a fluid and compelling personal style.

Buena Vista were keepers of the soundtrack to a long-isolated country and were celebrated for their traditionalism.

But Roberto Fonseca could pull up a piano stool at a jazz club anywhere in the world and trounce the competition with his gift for melody, virtuosity, invention.

Maybe the best cd of the year . Wonderful playing and superbe writing from the new buena vista piano player . Just listen to the track "suspiro" , and for over 7 minutes you are totaly taken to a wonderfull moment .
cant wait for more !

Why didn't I say "superb" instead of "great" for the CD? Because I heard him play live some of the songs on this album and the sound at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London's South Bank Centre is just the best. The mastering leaves a little to be desired, but perhaps if you hear this without comparing to his live virtuoso performance you might consider this superb yourself. In any case, get this CD and you will hear something unique. A very talented performance of some exceptional compositions.

This is a lovely CD. Fonseca is so well trained as a pianist. His mother sings briefly (unfortunately) on the CD and she leaves you wanting more of her beautiful voice. The CD borders between classical and jazz and I love it. As a result of finding Fonseca, I have introduced my friends to him and I play him on my internet radio show, Jazz Workshop.

I heard Roberto Fonseca describe his music on this CD during an interview he did with National Public Radio (NPR) which was aired where I live in South Florida. I decided to buy it and try it out. It was even better than I anticipated. This is not the type of music I usually listen to, but Mr. Fonseca's sound and his contributing artists created a unique blend of rythmn that is a pleasure to listen to. I highly recommend Zamazu- this name alone is perfect.

This recording is extraordinary in its musicality, richness and its invocation to experience the sacred in music.

Roberto Fonseca is a wonderful pianist transmitting with his music beauty quality and silkiness .The most important thing however in this recording is that ROBERTO and his excellent band push latin jazz to a more refined way with a dominant uptempo mood breaking the boundaries of what is commonly considered to be latin jazz today .One of the most significant recordings as it concerns the future of latin jazz.

This is really wonderful piano jazz. Not the kind you get in elevators and hotel restuarants, but something a little more.

This CD is great contemporary latin jazz. Its heavy on the piano jazz side, with a few tracks having a bosa nova feel, and one (Ishmael) having a middle east fusion, if you will. Songs range from lively and up-tempo... to laid-back, cool and smooth. Overall, its a great latin jazz listening experience.