Amazing CD!
author: Jacques Pardo
This is one of the most enjoyable CD I have heard in a while! Each song is so different from the other but yet there is a definite coherence to the album. There are wonderful interpretations of some of my favorite Afro-Cuban classics as well as fantastic originals.
I love the warm vocals of Norma Arias. Masterful arrangements by the pianist and composer Mike Crager is match with brilliant playing from each of the musicians. I highly recommend this album that have a very varied musical landscape and kept giving me joy each time I listen to it! I have use it at world-music dancing parties as well as for long drives in my car…
I would love to see the band live and I cannot wait for the next album to come out!
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Fantastic CD!!
author: Pietro Carbognani
review by Pietro Carbognani for VINILEMANIA.NET
Afro-Cuban music made in California!! A great disco graphical debut for the “Oriente” band from Oakland. 9 Players and a fantastic vocalist (Norma Arias) perfectly interpret 10 pieces, arranged by the pianist and composer Mike Crager (of which 5 are his own original works), are contained in this CD.
With a traditional Cuban base sound and a fusion of different Latin rhythms (salsa, son, cha-cha), with lots of very danceable tracks make this a truly enjoyable listen, from the beginning to the end of the CD. It should also be noted the opening track entitled “Sin Palabras” and the great interpretation of “El Carretero” by Guillermo Portabales, one of my all time favourites.
A fresh and interesting CD, just like the band, who also have the esteem to make available the lyrics to the songs in the booklet, something so rare these days…
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
recensione di Pietro Carbognani per VINILEMANIA.NET
Musica Afro-cubana made in California!! Gran bel debutto discografico per gli "Oriente" band di Oakland. I 9 elementi della band più una fantastica vocalist (Norma Arias) interpretano alla perfezione i 10 brani, arrangiati dal pianista / compositore Mike Crager (5 sono sue composizioni originali), contenuti nel CD.
Un base di sonorità tradizionali cubane con una fusion di diversi ritmi latini (salsa, son, cha-cha), con molti brani ballabili, rendono veramente piacevole l'ascolto, dall'inizio alla fine, di questo CD. Da segnalare l'interessante brano di apertura "Sin Palabras" e la bella interpretazione del "El Carretero" di Guillermo Portabales uno dei miei brani preferiti da sempre.
Un CD fresco ed interessante, così come la band, che ha anche il pregio di riportare nel booklet i testi delle canzoni... cosa assai rara di questi tempi.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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awesome dance band
author: Uma
The band can really get you up on the dance floor! They have great musicianship... really tight! UMA
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Great CD!
author: TYLER
This is a great CD. It highlights strong individual performances on every instrument and voice, and awesome ensemble swing and energy.
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