A Nuyorican Tale
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The bassist and composer Carlos Henriquez knows his way around a Latin jazz song, and here he brings us 9 of them with help on brass, keys and percussion.
The soulful and rhythmic “Nuyorican Tale” opens the listen with Obed Calvaire’s frisky drums and Melissa Aidana’s animated tenor sax making an impression, and “Bodegas Groove” certainly does bring grooves thanks to Robert Rodriguez’s playful keys and, of course, Henriquez’s fluid bass playing.
Entering the middle, “Afro Monk” makes great use of Jeremy Bosch’s dreamy flute for the melodic delivery and flowing horns, while “My Isla Bonita” is packed with beauty amid the graceful keys and Anthony Almonte’s subdued percussive sounds that allow the emotive brass to stir the soul.
Approaching the end, the festive and bright “Robert’s Red Line” emits Bosch’s cultured pipes alongside the smooth and dynamic musicianship, and “Winds Of Change” exits with a swift meshing of worldly jazz flavor that will get your body moving.
A listen that explores Henriquez’s Nuyorican heritage, he illuminates the challenging history of Puerto Ricans in New York City with his strong attention to detail and contributions from Mike Rodriguez (trumpet, coro), Terrel Stafford (trumpet) and Marshall Gilkes (trombone) that you can’t help but admire.
Travels well with: Jonathan Suazo- Ricano; Hery Paz- Jardineros