March 1 - Show #75

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Welcome to the party – Har-You Percussion Group – Compilation The New Latinaires – Ubiquity

That’s the way – RG Royal Sound Orchestra – Impact – RG Records

Fuego – Manteca – Tremendo Boogaloo – Freestyle Records

Light and sweet – Willie Rosario – Compilation Latin Dance Party 1960’s Boogaloo – Warner

Do you dig it? – Ray Barretto – Latino con Soul – Polydor

Boogaloo Lebron – The Lebron Brothers Orchestra – Compilation The Rough Guide to
Boogaloo – World Music Network

Batman’s boogaloo – Bobby Valentin – Compilation The Rough Guide to Boogaloo – World Music Network

Spanish rice – Clark Terry & Chico O’Farrill – Spanish Rice – Impulse!

Barrio Nuevo – Louie Ramírez – Louie’s Grooves Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramírez – Vampi Soul

Concierto para metales – Irakere – Misa Negra – Messidor

We are our father’s sons – McCoy Tyner and the Latin All-Stars – McCoy Tyner and the Latin All-Stars – TELARC Jazz

The peanut vendor (El manisero) – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – To Hear From There – Patois Records

We’re off to see the Wizard – Peter MaCDonough – The Wizar of Oz A Latin Jazz Suite for Soprano Saxophone – Self-produced: www. petermacdonoughs.com

A Ernesto – Mark Weinstein – Timbasa – Jazzheads

Brazil – Mark Weinstein – Jazz Brasil – Jazzheads

Mulatas, etc, and All – Paulo Mora – Winds of Brazil (Um sopro de Brasil) – Adventure Music/Núcleo Contemporãneo

Amorous flower – Altamiro Carrilho – Winds of Brazil (Um sopro de Brasil) – Adventure Music/Núcleo Contemporãneo

Mas que nada – Lani Hall – Brasil Nativo – Windham Hill Jazz

Jambull – Antonio Restuci – Crisol – Petroglyph Records

Spain – Michel Camilo y Tomatito – Spain – Polygram


Highlights of the show:

Among the great tunes from tonight show, a special release took place today when airing ‘Brazil’ from last work by Mark Weinstein, who is visiting Brazilian classics and approaching to jazz sounds from a Brazilian perspective.



The prolific Mark Weinstein is bringing ‘Jazz Brasil’, another album in a short period of time since his last 2010 release in his label Jazzheads, which is bringing his new work as well. This time, the long-life Latin jazz musician, renowned for his approach to Afro-Cuban inspired music, make a leap into Brazilian musical terrains along with his flute and a small lineup with the basics; this is piano, bass and drums, accompanying him. Other than the awesome renditions to Tom Jobim’s tunes as ‘Triste’ or ‘If you never come to me’, you may find the popular ‘Brazil’ which sounds pretty cool from the flute perspective by Mr. Weinstein. He also presents covers of other very popular jazz musicians as Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter or Herbie Mann. The overall sense of peacefulness and achievement of musical mastery is remarkable throughout the whole album. However, the pulse and tense from the first half of the album doesn’t keep up as well in the second half, where the tone is mellower and it is offered a darker, more introspective view. Nevertheless, this is a great album as a whole which will be delightful to take in bits to truly appreciate to make it grow in your appreciation. Enjoy!

February 22 - Show #74

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Chan chan – Compay Segundo – Buena Vista Social Club – Nonesuch/World Circuit

Candela – Ibrahim Ferrer, vocals; Faustino Oramas, composer – Buena Vista Social Club – Nonesuch/World Circuit

Alto Songo – Afro Cuban All Stars – Afro Cuban All Stars – Nonesuch/Warner

Patricia – Ry Cooder & Manuel Galbán – Mambo Sinuendo – Perro Verde/ Nonesuch/World
Circuit

Carmen cubana – Klazz Brothers & Cuba Percussion – Classic Meets Cuba – Sony Classical

A un perro flaco – Juan Perro – Raíces al Viento – BMG/Ariola

Manteca – Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo – Afro – Verve

Cubop city – Mario Bauzá & Howard McGhee and His Afro-Cubpoppers – Compilation The
Original Mambo Kings – Verve

Peter Gunn Mambo – Jack Costanzo & His Orchestra – Ultra Lounge-Mambo Fever – Capitol Records

El cumbanchero – Don Swan & His Orchestra – Ultra Lounge-Mambo Fever – Capitol Records

Way down yonder in New Orleans Mambo – Van Alexander & His Orchestra – Ultra Lounge-Mambo Fever – Capitol Records

Mambo #504 – Fredy Omar con su Banda – Desde Nueva Orleáns – Louisiana Red Hot Records

If I only had a brain – Kermit Ruffins – Happy Talk – Basin Street Records

If I only had a brain – Peter MacDonough – The Wizard of Oz-A Latin Jazz Suite for Soprano Saxophone – Self-produced: www.petermacdonough.com

Aikawarazusa – Hiroshi Takano – Sushi 3003 - A Spectacular Collection of Japanese Clubpop – Bungalow/Rough Trade Records

Kiss – Chiharu Iwamoto – Sushi 3003 - A Spectacular Collection of Japanese Clubpop – Bungalow/Rough Trade Records

Cannabis – Cornelius – Sushi 3003 - A Spectacular Collection of Japanese Clubpop –
Bungalow/Rough Trade Records

Samba de minha namoradinho – Calin with Fantastic Plastic Machine – Sushi 3003 - A Spectacular Collection of Japanese Clubpop – Bungalow/Rough Trade Records

Boy from Ipanema – Jumbo – Sushi 3003 - A Spectacular Collection of Japanese Clubpop – Bungalow/Rough Trade Records


Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul opened today with a modern classic in Cuban traditional music, and ended with a supermodern compilation from Japan. Despite distant geographically and stylistically, both share the spirit of this very program Latin Soul, bringing an approach to different ways to understand the whole generality of Latin music and its relationship to other genres.




Buena Vista Social Club came to light in 1997 and it has ever since the reference to traditional Cuban music since it came to the world attention the faded away style of “son”, which is pretty much a steady mellow and acoustic rhythm accompanying stories of love and whereabouts of peasants in the turn and beginning of the XIXth-XXth centuries. Back in the nineties, “Western” musicians dug dip in the archives and the living musical history in the island and found out those beautiful sounds, maybe some overlooked for the shine of the Cubop or Afro-Cuban jazz, or mambo, or the hype of funk/traditional in the latest years of XXth century. But, the “old trova” was still there, and guys like Santiago Auserón from Spain (from whom Latin Soul aired a tune tonight), or the musical archeologist Ry Cooder. Buena Vista Social Club is a production from the later, Ry Cooder, who took these tunes almost from forgotten and put them back in the music map again. Off this album, more new and individuals albums were released relaunching the careers of Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Elíades Ochoa, Rubén González, or ‘Cachaíto’ López, who was one of the new breed in the group. Musically, all the songs are good and this album is worth while stopping what you do and just pay attention to its music and relax, or keep doing what you were doing, in a better mood, though.




“Sushi 3003 – A Spectacular Collection of Japanese Clubpop” is not really a Latin or Brazilian album at all. Compiled by Olaf Maikopf and released in 1996 by Rough Trade Records and distributed by Bungalow in Germany, it is a collection of pop tunes that are trying to promote Japanese electro-pop bands in Europe. Among all those, the avid sounds explorer may find that some of them show young Japanese musicians keen on Brazilian bossa and samba. You may find entertaining these electro/naïve pop reviews with a bossa tinge among other purely electro pop, like the tune by Pizzicato Five or Les 5-4-3-2-1; but especial attention is dedicated to artists approaching Brazilian/pop crossover such as Chiharu Iwamoto, Mari, Calin with Fantastic Plastic Machine, Cornelius; or Jumbo, who actually brings ‘The boy from Ipanema’. Japan pop is fun and bossa nova-like as well, and we’re ready for it!

February 15 - Show #73

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Latin Soul – Ralfi Pagán – Compilation Playtime-Latin Soul Boogaloo – Hi & Fly Records

Latin thing – Benítez – Compilation Playtime-Latin Soul Boogaloo – Hi & Fly Records

Backlash – Freddie Hubbard – Compilation Latin Dance Party 1960’s Boogaloo Vol. 2 – Warner

Every Monday – Manteca – Tremendo Boogaloo – Freestyle Records

Ooh! Ah – Joe Cuba Sextet – Bustin’ Out – Tico Records

The honeydripper – Herbie Mann – Compilation Latin Dance Party 1960’s Boogaloo Vol. 2 – Warner

Come fly with me – Dave Valentin – Come Fly With Me – High Note Records

Milestones – Mark Weinstein – Timbasa – Jazzheads

A love supreme – Conrad Herwig – The Latin Side of John Coltrane – Astor Place Records

I remember Diz – Paquito D’Rivera & The United Nation Orchestra – A Night in Englewood – Messidor

A night in Tunisia – Hilton Ruiz – Live at Birdland – Candid

Jambo – Dizzy Gillespie – Jambo Caribe – Verve

The big idea – Phil Hawkins and his ensemble – Sugarcane Suite – P. Note Music

María Domingas – Gato Barbieri – Under Fire – Flying Dutchman/BMG Music

Te amo, I love you – Ely Guerra – Sweet & Sour, Hot Y Spicy – Higher Octave Music

Paloma – Asunción – Pacifika – Six Degrees Records

Bizcocho amargo – Si*Sé – Si*Sé – Luaka Bop

Negra – Nicomedes Santa Cruz/Jaime Cuadra – Cholo Soy 2 - Quadrasonic Ideas

February 8 - Show #72

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label


Crazy lady – Mongo Santamaría – Fuego – Vaya/Fania

Tighten up – Al Escobar and his orchestra – Compilation Kool It - Soul, Funk & Jazz Go Latin – Harmless Recordings

La descarga del Bobo – Willie Bobo – Compilation Masters at Work present Latin Sounds – Verve

¿Qué pasa? – Irakere – Cuba Libre – Far Out Recordings

The opener – Latin Percussion Jazz Ensemble – Just Like Magic – Latin Percussion Inc.

Dirty old town – David Byrne – Rei Momo – Luaka Bop/Sire

Oink, oink mambo – Chuy Reyes & His Orchestra – Compilation Ultra-Lounge Mambo
Fever – Capitol Records

Mambo jambo (Qué rico el mambo) – Dave Barbour – Compilation Ultra-Lounge Mambo Fever – Capitol Records

Malambo #1 – Yma Sumac – Compilation Ultra-Lounge Mambo Fever – Capitol Records

Costa Caribe – Mambo Zombies – MZ3 – Self-produced album: www.mambozombies.com

Hippie tune (Song for Josh) – New Cool Collective – Soul Jazz Latin Flavours Nineties Vibe – Club 802 Records

Los Gatos – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – To Hear From There – Patois Records

Somewhere over the rainbow – Peter MacDonough – The Wizard of Oz-A Latin Jazz Suite for Soprano Saxophone – Self-produced album: www.petermacdonough.com

Summer samba – Walter Wanderley – Compilation Los Años Maravillosos del Brasil – EMIN/Wea

So danço samba (Jazz ‘n’ Samba) – Wanda da Sah – Ultra-Lounge Bossa Nova Ville – Capitol Records

Samba de Orpheus – Grant Green & Big John Patton & Ben Dixon – Iron City – 32. Jazz Records

Corcovado – Everything but the girl – Red Hot + Rio – Antilles/Verve

One note samba/Surfboard – Stereolab + Herbie Mann – Red Hot + Rio – Antilles/Verve

Sol tapado – Thievery Corporation – Compilation Sinners Lounge: The Latin Sessions – Comfort Sounds

Sai das Trevas – Jazzamor – Compilation Sinners Lounge: The Latin Sessions – Comfort Sounds

January 25 - Show #71

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

Bella cosa – Mambo Zombies – MZ3 – Self-produced album: www.MamboZombies.com

Gospelanza – Irakere – Cuba Libre – Far Out Recordings

Namesake – Ray Mantilla – Good Vibrations – Savant Records

La escuela – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – To Hear From There – Patois Records

Perdido – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – To Hear From There – Patois Records

Pan Wisdom – Phil Hawkins and his ensemble – Sugarcaine Suite – P. Note Music

Paco & Dave – The Caribbean Jazz Project – The Caribbean Jazz Project – Heads Up
International Ltd.

Métisse – Omar Sosa – Live à FIP – Otá Records

Manteca – Michel Camilo – Thru My Eyes – RMM Records

Alfonsina y el mar – Diego el Cigala – Cigala & Tango – Gran Vía Musical de
Ediciones S.L.

Dos gardenias – Diego el Cigala – Cigala & Tango – Gran Vía Musical de Ediciones S.L.

Ojos verdes – Martirio & Chano Domínguez – Acoplados – RTVE Música

Pasa la vida – Pata Negra – Blues de la Frontera – Nuevos Medios

Arabesque – Nicola Conte – Bossa Per Due – Eighteenth Street Lounge Music

This is what you are – Mario Biondi – Handful of Soul – Schema Records


Highlights of the show:

Two tracks from the latest album by the Latin jazz sensation from the West Coast area has been aired tonight as the official release of ‘To Hear From There’ in the North-East Texas airwaves.



Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet 2011 album ‘To Hear From There’ has been another musical asset as expected from the artistically high standards by Wayne Wallace. Released in his own label, Patois Records, this new album is a flow from his previous and acclaimed work ‘¡Bien! ¡Bien!’ So, it is very likely that good things (awards, recognition…) are in store for this album. Putting together an ensemble well known in his career, as Paul van Wageningen at drums or Michael Spiro at percussion, the tunes show a well-done job by musicians who know well what terrains they are passing across. More than half of the eleven tracks are composed by Wayne Wallace, making renditions to Tito Puente or Gilberto Valdés compositions, and covering the Cuban classic ‘The peanut vendor’. All the themes keep an overall homogeneous flow of rhythm and quality making the whole piece stands by itself. Wayne Wallace and his ensemble know well the Latin jazz language which is the first feeling one has at listening. He remarkably approaches the Cuban tradition in ‘The peanut vendor’ rendition, or the Afro Cuban of ‘Ogguere’. This album lets more Cuban related topics in than previous works by Wayne Wallace. ‘¡Bebo ya llegó!’ is a tribute to Bebo Valdés, keeping up the spirit of Bebo´s style. In general terms, here we have another great piece of Latin jazz, which definitively stands up to what Wayne Wallace have accustomed us along his years in the musical scene, making the San Francisco Bay Area a reference for contemporary Latin jazz.

January 18, 2011 - Show #70

After Christmas holiday break, Latin Soul starts off new and fresh in 2011! Here you may have the first playlist and album review for the new year. Enjoy, and thanks for listening!


Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label

The oracle – Louie Ramírez – Latin Soul, Jazz & Boogaloo from Louie Ramírez – Vampi Soul

Andalucía – Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica – The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel – Self-produced album: www.orchestrotica.com

Mini Skirt – Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica – The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel –
Self-produced album: www.orchestrotica.com

Squeech me – Mambo Zombies – MZ3 – Self-produced album: MamboZombies.com

Descarga en blue – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – To Here From There – Patois
Records

If I only had a brain – Kermit Ruffins – Happy Talk – Basin Street Records

Fiesta – Gato Barbieri – Caliente! – A&M Records

Watermelon man – Poncho Sánchez – Latin Soul – Concord Picante

Corcovado – Vince Guaraldi – The Latin Side of Vince Guaraldi – Fantasy Records

Summer samba – Walter Wanderley – Los Años Maravillosos del Brasil – Music Records/eMIN/WEA

Água de beber/Mais que nada – Carmen Lamarque – Live in Lima – Self-produced album: www.carmenlamarque.com

Voce e linda – Caetano Veloso – Los Años Maravillosos del Brasil – Music Records/eMIN/WEA

De que vale ter tudo na vida – Jose Augusto – Música Contemporánea en Portugués
Intérpretes Brasileros – Rhino Records

O qué será – Chico Buarque – Los Años Maravillosos del Brasil – Music Records/eMIN/WEA

A felicidade – Tom Jobim – Los Años Maravillosos del Brasil – Music Records/eMIN/WEA

Garota de Ipanema – Nara Lead – Los Años Maravillosos del Brasil – Music Records/eMIN/WEA

Sancochao – Richie Zellón – Landología – Songosaurus Music

El norte – Gabriel Alegría – Wayruro – Rhino Records

Cántelo usted – Yuri Juárez – Afroperuano – Saponegro Records

Ánimo y aliento – Los hijos del sol: Álex Acuña & Eva Ayllón – To y Country – Nido Enterteinment, LLC



Highlights of the show:

Latin Soul has aired a new release tonight: Mr. Ho´s Orchestrotica The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel. Two tracks have been played as it could have been the whole album, as so cool it is!




'The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel' is an album released at the end of 2010. It is an 11 track album by the intriguing name of Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica devoted to versions of compositions by the Mexican conductor and composer Juan García Esquivel. Esquivel, as he was known in the music business, was sometimes called “The King of Space Age Pop”, as he was the most representative musicians who explored the possibilities of the easy listening or instrumental pop of late 50´s and early 60´s know as the “Space Age bachelor pad music”. Today, that style lives a renaissance with the so called “lounge music”. At the time, the stereophonic system was invented, making Esquivel a curious explorer of the possibilities of the system, as he recorded tunes with two different orchestras, remixing later as to have the stereo sound effect noticeable in the listening. His glamourous and sophisticated orchestrations shaped the music of an era. Today, a number of compilations may be found, as well as his original recordings, among which “Latin-Esque”, “Infinity in Sound, vol. 1 and vol. 2”, or “Cabaret Tragico” are remarkable.

Under the pseudonym of Mr. Ho, the Boston-based musician, percussionist and vibraphonist Brian O'Neill has put together the Orchestrotica to honor renditions to classics of Esquivel. The result is so good that if you aren´t familiar with Esquivel´s music, you would believe these tunes are originals by the so called Mr. Ho. The arrangements, the musicianship, the overall quality of sound is exquisite, really bringing you to the times of Space Age pop music. Especially interesting the tracks Andalucía and Mini Skirt. Frenesí or the in-crescendo Dancing in the Dark are also highlights from this album. Sumarizing, an exquisite jewel revering old-time “exotica”, or nowadays “lounge”. The artwork of the album is another little gem honoring the aesthetics of Space Age.

December 21 - Show #69 -- Christmas Special

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez

Song-Artist-Album-Label


Feliz Navidad – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

Santa Claus is coming to town – Ed Calle & Arturo Sandoval – Compilation Playboy Latin Jazz Christmas A Not So Silent Night – Playboy Jazz/Concord Records

Venid Fieles Todos (Cuba) – Liuba Maria Hevia – Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

Diciembre – Los Embajadores Vallenatos – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

Paz En La Tierra (Joy To The World) (Cuba) – Ramon F. Veloz – Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

White Christmas (France) – Los Reyes – Christmas Around the World – Putumayo

Deck the Halls – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

Silent Night – Caribbean Jazz Project – Compilation Playboy Latin Jazz Christmas A Not So Silent Night – Playboy Jazz/Concord Records

Have yourself a merry little Christmas – Poncho Sánchez – Compilation Playboy Latin Jazz Christmas A Not So Silent Night – Playboy Jazz/Concord Records

La canción del tamborilero (Carol of the Drum) – Raphael – 30 Aniversario 1961-1991 – Hispavox/Capitol

We wish you a Merry Christmas – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

O, Christmas tree (samba) – Brave Combo – Christmas Present – Self-edited: www.brave.com/bo

Noite Para Festejar – Ivan Lins – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

O Cometido – Chouteira – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

Nadal de Luintra – Berroguetto – A Putumayo World Christmas – Putumayo

Jingle bells – Ed Calle & Arturo Sandoval – Compilation Playboy Latin Jazz Christmas A Not So Silent Night – Playboy Jazz/Concord Records

The little drummer boy – Brave Combo – It’s Christmas, Man! – P-Vine Records

What child is this – Poncho Sánchez – Compilation Playboy Latin Jazz Christmas A Not So Silent Night – Playboy Jazz/Concord Records

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – Will King – Christmas Spanish Guitar – Compass Productions

Corrido navideño – Brave Combo – It’s Christmas, Man! – P-Vine Records

Santa baby – Sheila E – Compilation Playboy Latin Jazz Christmas A Not So Silent Night – Playboy Jazz/Concord Records

Feliz Navidad – Pete Escovedo & Ray Obiedo – Compilation Playboy Latin Jazz Christmas A Not So Silent Night – Playboy Jazz/Concord Records


Latin Soul has aired today its traditional Christmas Special. You heard a Latin jazz approach to Xmas classics, in addition to other tunes that are traditional folklore Xmas seasonal for some regions of Latin America and Spain and Portugal. All in all, it has been another great chance to enjoy one more edition of Latin Soul, in your station, 88.9 KETR. Next, you may see some of the album covers where songs for this show were coming from. Thanks for listening!

December 7 - Show #68

Theme: Chin chon chow – Louie Ramírez
Song-Artist-Album-Label

Lucy’s Spanish Harlem – Louie Ramírez – Compilation Latin Jazz – Jazzclub/Verve

It’s not unusual – Willie Bobo – Compilation Latin Jazz – Jazzclub/Verve

Soul limbo – Cándido – Thousand Finger Man – Blue Note

Cugi’s cocktail – Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra – Compilation Latin Jazz – Jazzclub/Verve

Sunday go meetin’ – Latin Jazz Quintet – Latin Soul – Prestige

Soul sauce (Guachi guaro) – Cal Tjader – Compilation From Latin to Jazz Dance Vol. 5 – Rare
Groove Recordings

Day tripper – Mongo Santamaría – Instant Party – Concord Picante

Loverman (Oh, where can you be) – Mambo Zombies – Mambo Zombies – Self-edited www.mambozombies.com

D’Son – Omar Sosa – Afreecanos – Otá Records

Cha con marimba – Omar Sosa & NDR Bigband – Ceremony – Otá Records

¡Bien bien! – Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet – ¡Bien bien! – Patois Records

The big idea – Phil Hawkins and his ensemble – Sugarcaine Suite – P. Note Music

Milestones – VW Brothers – Muziek – Patois Records

Nardis – Michel Camilo – Spirit of the Moment – Telarc Records

La fiesta – Michel Camilo & Tomatito – Spain Again – Decca

Te amo, I love you – Ely Guerra – Sweet & Sour, Hot y Spicy – Higher Octave Music

Fe – Julieta Venegas – Bueninvento – BMG/Ariola

Me caí – Pacifika – Asunción – Six Degrees Records

Barataria – Palo Viejo – Estás Aquí Ahora – Self-edited: http://www.myspace.com/paloviejo


Highlights of the show:
Latin Soul offered today a double set of Omar Sosa, the piano and marimba player from Cuba. A young and talented musician carrying the spirit of the old Cuban trova to today’s standards of contemporary Latin jazz. Next, you may have the Editorial Review of Amazon.com for his latest album released in 2010 by Otá Records, aired tonight in Latin Soul.





Ceremony is a major new project, the fruit of pianist-composer Omar Sosa's first big-band collaboration with composer-arranger-cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, Hamburg's 18-piece NDR Bigband (North German Radio/Norddeutscher Rundfunk), and the Omar Sosa Quartet, featuring Julio Barreto (drums), Childo Tomas (electric bass0, and Marcos Ilukan (Afro-Cuban percussion). Sosa himself plays piano and marimba. Recorded in two sessions (2007 & 2008) at NDR's Hamburg studios under the direction of Morelenbaum and Sosa, Ceremony features Morelenbaum's brilliant arrangements of selections from Omar's Spirit of the Roots (1999), Bembon (2000), and Afreecanos (2009). It also acknowledges the majesty of the legendary Afro-Cuban big bands of Frank 'Machito' Grillo, Chico O'Farrill and Dizzy Gillespie, while extending those revered traditions in a contemporary salute to the expansive universe of world jazz, wherein Sosa himself continues to reign as a joyous, generous, abundant, and essential creative spirit. From the Editorial Review of Amazon.com