Rumba
Effendi, 2022
8/10
The Cuban pianist, composer, artistic director and educator Dr. Rafael Zaldivar brings plenty of rhythm to this globally enjoyable jazz affair, where a large cast of players accompany him for the cultured energy.
“Eleggua” starts the listen with much atmosphere, as Amado Dedeu Garcias Jr.’s expressive pipes enter alongside Zaldivar’s strategic synth, and “A Pray” follows with Miguel Zenon’s soulful alto sax complementing Amhed Mitchel’s flowing drum acrobatics.
Elsewhere, Terri-Lynn Carrington’s skilled drums and Rémi-Jean LeBlanc’s well timed bass emit much intimacy on “Two Words”, while Kurt Rosenwinkel’s superb guitar playing is the focus of the warm and dynamic “Dolor de Amar”.
Closer to the end, the busy brass of “Crying For Cuba” places Roberto Occhipinti on bass and Kirk MacDonald and Pat Labarbera on tenor sax for a very rich album highlight, and “Obbatalo” exits with group vocals amid Dayron Luis San Juan Maguercia’s very precise and rhythmic percussion.
A listen very much steeped in Afro-Cuban sensibilities, Zaldivar and company pen a very socially aware, musically diverse listen that’s receptive to Africanism nods and glowing in a worldly demeanor.
Travels well with: So Long Seven- Only Elephants Know Her Name; Chet Doxas- Rich In Symbolism II