Orquesta Alto Maiz
"The Salsa Band"
anejando
Añejando

I am very honored in being asked to write the liner notes for this new recording Añejando by Orquesta Alto Maiz. For over a decade now, the band has been producing a rich style of Latin music from the heartland of America, Iowa to be exact. As you will soon hear and feel, this group swings like crazy! I first heard the sounds of this outstanding ensemble on their last CD Live at Montreux and I was more than intrigued. I thought to myself “Wow, where have these guys been and why am I just now hearing about them?” They swing with so much sabor that if you heard them for the first time you too would be saying “Where are these cats from ?….Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York?” I was really impressed with their sound and versatility in all the styles that the group performed in. From mambo to guaguanco to cha-cha and bolero, these guys played with a strong authority and balance that I wish more bands could have.

Añejando marks their 5th release and I strongly believe that it has to be the band's finest. In this recording you will hear for yourself the exciting rhythmic groove that the band has created for all of you lovers of Latin music. Make no mistake, they have been influenced by all the greats and legends of the genre, but what is most exciting to me is that they have created a very nice sound all their own. Original tunes like the tender “Madrugada,” with its soft bossa feel, and the swaying “Coalescencia,” a beautiful bolero done with such class and with a gorgeous melody, will convince you. If not, check out Washut’s sassy boogaloo/cha cha, “Booga – lee.” Driving mambo beats heat up “Eddie’s Riff” and “Insight,” a tune that was recorded in the mid sixties by Latin-jazz legend, vibraphonist Cal Tjader. “Bomba de Corazon”, the soulful “Elena, Elena” and the Frenchy “Vouz les vouz,” will have you in that party state of mind. The Afro-Cuban jazz staple “Manteca” is done here as a descarga (jam session) and allows all the fellas to strut their stuff and will mark this as one the best renditions of an already legendary tune.

I could go on and on about how I think you will enjoy Anejando (can you tell by now that I dig it ?), but what I will do instead is to invite you to put this amazing disc on your player and listen for yourself. I bet you won’t be able to sit still and those scintillating Latin rhythms of Orquesta Alto Maiz will grab a hold of you. I have nothing but respect for this group and want to share my enthusiasm and their great sounds with fans of Latin music from all over.

A Bailar y Gozar con La Orquesta Alto Maiz de Jazz y Salsa !

Erik “Chico” Manqueros
Host/ Executive Producer The Latin Style of Jazz
Contributing Writer LatinJazzClub.com & Latin Style Magazine

Tracks

and Manteca --(Dizzy Gillespie) and Vouz les vouz Dancer --(Jules Sagna/Arr. Ed East) and Booga - Lee --(Bob Washut) and Madrugada --(Bob Washut) and) Elena Elena --(Manuel Jimenez/Arr. Andy Gonzalez) and Insight --(Bill Fitch/Arr. Bob Washut) and Bomba de Corazón --(Eddie Palmieri) and Lamento No Morro --(Antonio Carlos Jobim) and Eddie's Riff --(Eddie Palmieri/Arr. Bob Washut)