French multi-instrumentalist Arnito brings the right kind of vibrancy and bounce to “Saveur vanille” a layered Latin jazz piece of the highest order.
The Right Flavor
Category: Single reviews
Reviews of single recordings
Lotta Love
Born in Colombia and based in Los Angeles, guitarist Juan Carlos Quintero applies a personal touch to the old Cuban standard Yours (Quiéreme Mucho).” And…
Panning in the Right Direction
With a set of chromatic handpans leading the way and shifting rhythms zapped electronically, “Turkish Kawabanga” by an Israeli quartet called Floating Sheep is wonderfully…
Double D
Combining retro soul with his own Brazilian roots, Bruno Del Rey makes “Dança Derradeira” a perfect old and new match.
Brandishing a Brass Spear
His name will clue you in as to his instrument of choice, and Jb Trombone does a choice instrumental version of Burning Spear’s reggae classic…
Start the Day Right
Based in Sweden but rooted in Latin America, a band called Serayá starts “Las Madrugadas” (“early mornings”) as a slow ballad before kicking it into…
A Different Kind of Dutch Treat
Blending instrumentation and inspiration mainly from Armenia and Iran, a Netherlands-based duo called Hamraaz sound nothing short of exquisite through all six minutes of “Abar…
What Friends Are For
“Cumbia de los Amigos” by Cuba’s Orquesta Failde is as joyous an example of the classic Colombian-born style as one could ask for, complete with…
Women in Solidarity
France’s Manzel Loomaa is joined by Régine Lapassion for “Fanm,” a celebration of femininity on which their mutually edifying vocals are supported by a lively…
Beyond Bolero
Blending the rhythm of bolero with jazz intricacy and the relaxed feel of Parisian café music, “Quiero” by sultry-voiced Guatemalan singer Amelia Rivera is a…