Orquesta Alto Maiz
"The Salsa Band"
ritmo en azul
Ritmo en Azul

Modukue Cuba. Gracias Cuba. Thank you, Cuba.

It's the least we can say to the country that has spawned musical genres that touch the soul and teaches it to dance and to rejoice. Its simplicity reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. Its complexity reminds us the mother Africa lives in it and the jazz elements add the cries of the North American slaves to the music. Praises and Lamentations raised in unison, woven, forging the musical shape of what we know today as salsa and Latin jazz.

Ritmo en Azul, Orquesta Alto Maiz's newest recording, brings the sounds of Cuba fresh off the island, drenched in the Matanzas style of Rumba and Bembé. Members of Orquesta Alto Maiz had the distinct honor of studying with the undisputed masters of Cuban folkloric Music: "Los Muñequitos de Matanzas" prior to the recording of this cd and as a result, were able to infuse it with a level of authenticity unlike any of the previous recordings. We hope that what you hear will make you dance, sing, and become ever more curious about the infinitely wonderful world of Afro-Cuban music.

To our Cuban teachers, a nuestros maestros cubanos: Jesús Alfonso, Israel Berriel, Idalbero "Puchito" Berriel, y Daniel Alfonso Herrera; Modukue de todo corazõn.

Ed East
May 5, 2004

Tracks

and Vamonos pa'l Monte --(Eddie Palmieri; arr. Bob Washut) and Black --(Cedar Walton; arr. Mark Levine/Bob Washut) and Todos Vuelven --(César Mirõ arr. Oscar Hernández) and La Llama Azul --(Bob Washut) and) Ponte Duro --(Johnny Pacheco) and Basso Urnessto --(Bob Washut) and De Todo un Poco --(Lou Pérez) and Azulito --(Ray Santos; arr. Al Naylor) and