United We Swing

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2007)
• Original Release Date: May 15, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Six Degrees
• ASIN: B000P6R868
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,807 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Spanish Harlem Orchestra's United We Swing does more than just make you want to dance. The joyous collection will likely incite a full-scale house party, complete with flowy dresses, sparkly jewelry, and silky, unbuttoned shirts. The disc plays like an actual live performance, a tight mix of passion and precision. Bandleader Oscar Hernandez even introduces the entire outfit on the opening track. Horns blare, percussion pulses, and a voice of choruses guides several numbers. If nothing else, take a listen to the trio of "Sacala Bailar," "Ahora Si," and "Que Bonito," which comes midway through the disc, for an idea of SHO's sparkling seamlessness. "Danzon For My Father" is a touching instrumental tribute, and the bilingual "Late in the Evening-Tarde en la Noche" features an inspired guest spot by Paul Simon, who matches the group's swelling enthusiasm. Swing does just that--and so much more. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You have no option but to dance, May 22, 2007

By	Jeevan "jsiva" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Since their arrival in 2000, Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) has established itself as a standard bearer of contemporary Latin music. Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger, and producer Oscar Hernández, the thirteen-member all-star ensemble has reintroduced the classic sounds of New York City Salsa to music lovers worldwide. United We Swing, SHO's third album, is a stunning follow-up to their 2004 Grammy award-winning album Across 110th St., and their 2002 Grammy nominated debut, Un Gran Día En El Barrio.

On United We Swing, Spanish Harlem Orchestra continues in the same classic-meets-contemporary sound, but with refreshing originality. Nine of the songs are original compositions grounded in the unique identity the band has forged based on the musical legacy of El Barrio, a pulsating Eastside community in NYC located to the south of 125th St that gave rise to Boogaloo, Latin Soul, and Salsa.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Own!, December 10, 2007

By	Frank Looper Jr. - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of my favorites--of any genre. I accidentally found it by following a link on Napster Radio, and I've been listening to it almost every day since.

The guest appearance by Paul Simon is little more than a curiosity, in this case, but certainly not a distraction. The styles are wide and varied, from Salsa to Mambo to Jazz. The production values are the only thing that lets you know that this album was released in 2007, as the music defies a "time" of style.

I would recommend this album to any fan of Latin music, whether you are a beginner or have spent many years listening to the genre.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente, May 5, 2008

By	J. Gines "Leedor" (California, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excelente
El CD es evocador de muchos grandes grupos latinos de Nueva York en los días tempranos de Salsa. Los 3 cantantes son fantásticos y los componentes de la orchestra son muy tradicional. 3 trompetas, 2 trombones y un saxophone barítono componen la section de instrumentos de aire. El resto del grupo se compone de conga, bongos y timbales más un competente tocador del bajo y el líder extrordinario en piano. SHO tiene un sonido muy agradable, enfrentado por 3 vocalists. Tuve el placer de ver a SHO en vivo en la Universidad de Maryland ayer y fueron enérgtico en persona que en el álbum, que sí mismo es muy dinámico. Este es un tremendo CD para cualquiera que le guste la Salsa tradicional con excelente vocales.

Exhilarating
The CD is exhilarating and reminiscent of many great Latin groups from New York in the early days of Salsa. The 3 singers are fantastic and the orchestration is very traditional. 3 trumpets, 2 slide trombones and a baritone saxophone make up the "loud" section. The rest of the group is made up of 3 excellent percussionists (conga, bongos and timbales) plus a good base player and the leader on piano. Overall, SHO has a very nice, full and rich sound led by the 3 vocalists. I had the pleasure of seeing SHO live at the University of Maryland and they were even more energetic in person than on the album, which itself is very dynamic. This is a good CD for anyone to have in their collection if they enjoy older style salsa with excellent vocals.