Corina Bartra new CD represents a look both back and forward in musical direction. The new album is both a return to the Peruvian artist Afro-Peruvian jazz roots after two wonderful chanting/meditation records, and a look forward to joyful and rewarding musical days ahead.
Bambu Sun reflects a bright and joyous spirit that consolidates the artist pioneering incorporation of Afro-Peruvian and New Latin undercurrents into her own personal creation. Fans of Corina previous jazz CDs, Corina Bartra Quartet, Son Zumbon and Travel Log, will find she has even revisited a couple of the key songs on those records, holding them up to the light of a Bambu sun to find new meanings. It is great to hear Peace Loving People Are on the Rise and its timeless message in a new version.
As always, Corina fronts top-rate musicians like Rufus Reid, Jay Rodriguez, Cliff Corman and Vince Cherico, and their support of her mix of originals (like uajira Son and ol Azabache and covers (Wayne Shorter, Lennon/McCartney) is outstanding. Listen hard and you can hear a lot of things on Bambu Sun: bits of bebop, the complicated rhythms of Peru, energetic male voices on choruses or just exclaiming behind the music (the recording sessions must have been fun). It is really impressive and also the first time to hear in a jazz recording two cajon players playing counterpoint rhythms together on ajoral.
Let hope there is nothing but bambu sun for this engaging artist from now on! |
ARTISTS
Corina Bartra featuring Rufus Reid, Jay Rodriguez, Cliff Korman, Oscar Torres, Math Barranello, Hoyos, Perico Diaz, Paul Schellack, David Hertzberg. |