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Mayra Casales: Woman on Fire
(Mayra Casales Website)
2006 Afrasia Productions
With
Mayra Casales on Vocals, Djembe, Congas, Shekere, Quinto, Hand Percussion, Timbales, and Guiro
Regina Carter on Violin
Carmen Lundy on Vocals and Fender Rhodes
Jon Lucien on Guitar and Vocals
A Large Musical Ensemble, Divided onto 11 Tracks,
Performing on Hand Percussion, Fender Rhodes, Bass,
Drums, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Flute, Saxophone, Bongos, Piano,
Maracas, Guiro, Timbales, and Trombone
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
February 20, 2007
A hot new Latin Jazz CD is on the market, and every enthusiast of the Latin music genre should rush to own this fine presentation of fused Salsa, Rumba, Jazz, Ballads, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. The exotic percussion, breezy bass, and punctuated clavé, all add up to great listening and dancing. Cuban-born, Mayra Casales is versatile as vocalist, percussionist, arranger, lyricist, and composer. Her special guests are too numerous to list here, but include the renowned musicians, Regina Carter, Carmen Lundy, and Jon Lucien, plus brothers and nephew. If you like cool ballads and explosive Salsa, Woman on Fire is a must for your CD collection.
Notable tracks:
#2 – Is It Love – Composed by Mayra Casales and Carmen Lundy. With a sparkling Salsa entrance, these musicians take off like a night at the Copa. With trumpet, trombone, and sax, plus seven percussive instruments and piano, this second track paves the way for red hot Latin Jazz. No listener should sit still.
#4 – Pipo – Composed by Robert Rodriguez. Regina Carter joins the band on scintillating violin, infusing the music with hints of tango and rumba. Oriente Lopez takes off on flute, with the talented Robert Rodriguez on piano, Ricky Rodriguez on bass, and Mike Rodriguez on flugelhorn. Ernesto Simpson keeps rhythm on drums, and Ivan Renta brings the festivities to new heights on his soaring sax. Mayra Casales, as ever, heats up this track with her congas, timbales, and guiro. The listener is wrapped in palm trees and a piña colada.
#5 – Si Tu Me Vieras Hoy – Composed by Tadd Dameron and Carl Sigman, Spanish Lyrics by Mayra Casales. This uncluttered track switches moods, with Ms. Casales on Spanish vocals, accompanied by David Budway on piano. This piece is at once elegant, romantic, and ready for fireside. Ms. Casales sings with impassioned meaning.
#6 – Paisajes Cubano – Composed by Heriberto Costales. Again changing tempo, this Cuban infused track bursts with Salsa, with Ramon Casales on vocals, and, also again, no listener should sit still. Fused bass, bongos, and brass accompany the vocalist with seasoned sensation.
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