El Gran Combo
Arroz Con Habichuela
CD
(Sony 702756),
Released 2006;
Editor's Pick:
The great orchestra hasn’t put out an album since 2004's Aquí Estamos Y... ¡De Verdad!, so Arroz con Habichuela’s long overdue from one of the major bands in the history of Puerto Rican music. Rafael Ithier’s idea and band are still intact, producing some of the most subtle salsa in existence, perfectly constructed and perfectly played, never relying on the blast or volume to make up for ability. And what material: from the instantly memorable coros on “Si La Ves Por Ahi” to the amazing, almost unheard of tempo on “Arroz con Habichuela” (which, weirdly enough, sounds like something that Pupy, in Cuba, might play), there isn’t a mistake on the album. But let me get back to the perfection here: listen to how the bell on “Esa Mujer” changes patterns in the beginning of the tune to juice the last few bars before the bridge; it’s so careful and sophisticated. And strangely enough, the recording makes the band sound small, and almost live; the recording makes the music realistic, as if you were listening in a small hall to a rehearsal. So much the better. The reduction in size makes the glory of the orchestra that much more evident, without hiding anything behind too much echo or production gloss. The brilliance is all there in the band, begging to be turned up, lived with. A masterpiece.
Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous, 2006-11-27)
Song titles include:
Si La Ves Por Ahí 4:36
Te Veo Nena 4:24
No Hay Manera 4:31
Arroz Con Habichela 5:56
Esa Mujer 4:33
Como Tiembla El Alma 4:28
Yo No Mendigo Amor 4:37
Piénsalo 4:36
No Te Detengas A Pensar 4:58
Un No Sé Qué 4:36
Musicians include:
Willie Sotelo Piano
Taty Maldonado Trompeta
Victor "Cano" Rodriguez Trompeta
Freddie Miranda Sax
Eddie Perez Sax
Moisés Nogueras Trombón
Richie Bastar Bongó
Miguel "Pollo" Torres Congas
Kuki Santos Timbal
Freddy Rivera Bajo
Miriano Morales Piano
Rafael Ithier Musical director
Charlie Aponte Vocals
Jerry Rivas Vocals
Papo Rosario Vocals
Alberto Carrion Coro
Gilberto Santa Rosa Coro
Category: Salsa/Son
=> Salsa
=> Puerto Rico
Shipping Value: 1
ORDER TL-22177.10 CD $15.98
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