Pablo Menendez & Mezcla
I’ll See You in Cuba (Zoho ZM201001, 2010)
Mezcla, one of the leading Cuban contemporary jazz bands is back with an album titled I’ll See you in Cuba. Led by guitarist Pablo Menéndez, Mezcla is a fusion powerhouse. Mezcla means mix and I’ll See you in Cuba provides a wide selection of genres, including Afro-Cuban jazz, cutting edge fusion, electric blues, edgy bolero, and straight ahead jazz.
The strongest material are the original pieces by its band members, multi-instrumentalist Orlando Sánchez (saxophone and piano) and the young and talented trumpeter Mayquel González.
The crew featured in the recording includes Pablo Menéndez : guitar & vocals, director; Magela Herrera: flute, vocals, piano (on El Médico, ‘Round Midnight, C.U.B.A.); Octavio Rodríguez: percussion; Máyquel González: trumpet, flugelhorn; Orlando Sánchez: tenor sax (all solos) and piano (on Big Brecker, Oslo, Chucho’s Blues, Chicoy’s Blues); Néstor Rodríguez : tenor sax (on Afro Cuba & Medico de los Pianos); Ruy Adrián López-Nussa: drums ( on Big Brecker; El Medico; Oslo) ; Oliver Valdés: drums (on Chicoy’s Blues; Chucho’s Blues); Renier Mendoza: drums (on Afro-Cuba; ‘Round Midnight, C.U.B.A.; Afro Cuba); Ernesto Hermida: bass (on Big Brecker; Chicoy’s Blues, Chucho’s Blues; El Médico; ¿Quien tiene?); José Hermida: bass (on Oslo; Afro-Cuba; ‘Round Midnight; C.U.B.A.)
“For those who think Cuban music fits in a cigar box, who have Buena Vista vision, or a Ricky Ricardo fixation, for those who think that Cuban music is only Salsa, Timba, Mambo or Afro folkloric: this recording will challenge, rock, annoy you or all three,” says renowned pianist and jazz educator Arturo O’Farrill. “Either way you will be surprised by the incredible fluidity with which these musicians float between genres and worlds.”
On I’ll See You in Cuba , Pablo Menendez & Mezcla demonstrate their talent as fiery composers and improvisers, creating some of the finest musical alchemy coming from Cuba.
Buy the Mezcla albums: I’ll See You in Cuba, Cantos, Akimba!, Fronteras de Sueño
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
