Cuatro Esquinas
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The Grammy winners Plena Libre have been creating authentic Puerto Rican music for 3 decades now, and these 12 new tracks showcase their hand drumming, lively horns, and soulful three-part vocal harmonies with stunning polyrhythmic attention.
“4 Esquinas” opens the listen with intricate drumming, bright brass and soothing, harmonic group vocals for the swift and melodic climate, and “Mi Plena” follows with very animated singing amid the dynamic, percussive sounds.
In the middle, the warm spirit of “La Solitería” strategically places the horns alongside the expressive voices, while “Bang Bang”, the album’s best, brings a charming breeziness that benefits much from the vivid storytelling and mesmerizing drumming patterns.
Landing near the end, “Tu Cintura con la Mia” is full of precise and worldly rhythmic ideas, and “Si Va a Llover” exits with the glowing three-part vocal harmonies soaring festively.
A listen that was inspired by founding member Gary Nuñez’s upbringing near are an area of four corners that carried a bad reputation, the songs here are positively uplifting, rich in diversity and globally enjoyable.
Travels well with: Dogo Du Togo- Dogo Tu Togo; Michela Musolino- La Notti Triunfanti