Armando Mi Conga
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The pianist, composer and arranger Irving Flores celebrates Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz with these cultured 9 tracks that recruit an all star cast.
The title track opens with Giovani Hidalgo’s lively congas alongside Brian Lynch’s animated trumpet and Flores’ meticulous keys in the swift climate, and “Gary En Nanchital” follows Norbert Stachel’s rich clarinet that adds much to the melodic delivery.
Closer to the middle, “Tramonto a Massa Lubrense” enlists Flores’ mesmerizing piano amid John Benitez’s graceful bass via the intimate 9+ minutes, while “Music en La Calle” is a frisky album highlight that benefits from Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez’s drumming acrobatics and Flores fast fingers.
Residing near the end, “Dana Point” has Stachel handling baritone sax in a textured and flowing bout of worldly jazz flavor, and “With Amanda in Favignana (Solo Piano)” exits with Flores’ inimitable playing that’s heartfelt and touching.
An album that surrounds migration, nostalgia, love and cultural roots, Flores and company flesh out a love letter to Latin America that’s enlightening and very enjoyable.
Travels well with: Conrad Herwig- Reflections-Facing South; Rafael Zalvidar- Rumba