Cubop Lives!
Truth Revolution, 2024
8/10
The esteemed pianist Zaccai Curtis treats us to 17 tracks that represent his interest in jazz, Bebop and Afro-Cuban influences, and take help from Luques Curtis, Willie Martinez III, Camilo Molina and Reinaldo De Jesus.
“Earl” starts the listen with Curtis’ lively piano alongside Martinez’s animated drumming for the rhythmic climate, and “Black Rice” follows with Molina’s cultured percussive ideas that flow amid the swift keys and melodic gestures.
Deeper into the listen, “Someday My Prince Will Come” trims the pace back with gorgeous key progressions amid warm bongos from De Jesus, while “Stromboli” is a playful and festive album highlight that can rumble a bit, too.
Close to the end, “Countour” comes with a breezy, timeless jazz spirit that will always be admirable, and “Moose The Mooche” exits with Luques Curtis’ bass acrobatics mesmerizing us alongside the worldly instrumentation.
A body of work that is full of passion and fusion nods, Curtis and company bring us along for a globally enjoyable version of Latin jazz.
Travels well with: Vanisha Gould- She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth; Triad- Triad