New Congo Square, Vol. 3

Los Hombres Calientes

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 10, 2001)
• Original Release Date: April 17, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Basin Street Records
• ASIN: B00005AU5J
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,678 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

New Orleans's fabled Congo Square was the meeting place where blacks from Africa and the West Indies danced to their native grooves during the slavery era. Paying homage to one of the Crescent City's most historic spots is the city's own Los Hombres Calientes--percussionist Bill Summers, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, and the newest member, drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. They take Congo Square to the Americas beyond the U.S. with Cuba's Isaac Delgado and Jamaica's Burning Spear. Recorded in New Orleans, Havana, Santo Domingo, and Bahia, New Congo Square delves into the rumba/salsa "Forforo Fo Firi," the reggae classic "I Shot the Sheriff," and the merengue-motored "Dominicanos." Mayfield plays the Brazilian bossa nova with passion on "Corcovado/Nocturnal Low Moan" and Jamaica's Rastafarian rhythms spring forth on "Nyabinghi." Stateside, the group also funks up contemporary urban dance grooves on the "New Bus Stop," and trumpeter Michael Ray and vocalist Kermit Ruffins serve up a tasty musical gumbo on "New Second Line." Los Hombres Calientes vividly connect the musical dots in the African American hemisphere. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great - Deserves Wide Attention, July 22, 2001

By A Customer

People have probably been trying to decide where jazz ought to go from the beginning. A major turning point came when bop pretty much took dance, and a vast part of its audience from jazz. Ken Burn's series showed a musician returning from the war, hearing bop and thinking it was the greatest thing he'd ever heard; and a dancer who thought it was the worst. Diz could never get more than a few of the boppers to dance to it. Of course you could get a few people to dance to the Dead, but it didn't prove much.

A recent article in the NY Times described a new European jazz dance scene - rather techo, and reportedly dismissive of the "retro" American jazz scene. I haven't heard these CDs, and so, can't comment. I will say, though, that the blend of New Orleans, the Caribbean and modern jazz that these guys have devised is one of the best answers I can imagine to the "whither jazz?" question. The idea of combining Caribbean music and jazz is hardly novel, and the return to New Orleans-based players and styles may be retro, but this music sounds very new.

Volume Two showed clearly where they were heading, and inspired great hope. Volume Three: Congo Square really fulfills their promise. This is great music, with excellent original compositions by Mayfield and Summers. It's in no way "light" jazz - treacle for the masses. "Serious" jazz fans will find lots to enjoy, but I really think this could be enjoyed by people who've never bought a CD featuring a trumpet.

I hope this will get some serious critical attention. These guys deserve to be huge, and this is the CD to do it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All that and then some..., February 15, 2002

By	EB "oneflightup" (USA) - See all my reviews

This album does not disappoint. I'm not big on Grammy nominations but they definitely got this one right. Los Hombres Vol. 3 is a treat from track 1 to 23. Irvin Mayfield's playing is fantastic and Bill Summers brings the straight thunder. The gumbo of sounds and rhythms that they bring to the table is what Latin jazz is all about. I saw this group live at Blues Alley and they were amazing.

I must add that Irvin Mayfield is a true gentleman of jazz. I am a beginning trumpet player and I contacted him with some questions. He not only answered my questions - he gave me a quick lesson when he was in town. We need more jazz musicians like him who remember (and act accordingly) the history of this great music.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music that is refreshing to the heart and soul!!!, April 18, 2001

By A Customer

This CD is a buffet of mutilple talent! What you hear is what you get, a combination of flavorful sounds from different parts of the world. From the beautiful sound of Mr. Mayfield's trumpet to outcry of the incredible smooth sounds of the percussion, together with other multiple talents in this album they stimulate the heart and soul. This cd makes one dance, think, cry,laugh, and most of all it makes one feel great! Check this CD out for yourself! Enjoy! Ofa atu!