Way Beyond Outstanding
Latin Jazz Fan | Ohio | 01/27/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The commentary by Music Lover Paul is obviously from someone who knows little about Latin Jazz or even Jazz. This CD was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2009 as Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year. The fact that the orchestra is made up of Manhattan School of Music students makes it even more astounding. The incredible musicianship of these Young Lions under Maestro Sanabria's baton, himself a modern-day master of Latin jazz, combined with NEA Jazz Master and octojazzarian, Candido Camero, on congas who played on the original Kenya album over 50 years ago and makes an appearance on three cuts here, makes this CD a must have. I have the original Kenya LP, and the new arrangements on this CD pay homage to the original while updating it in new and very hip ways. I don't know what CD Music Lover Paul was listening to, but on this recording I heard mambo, cha cha cha, son montuno, bolero, bembe, guanguanco, and rumba abierta, along with some swing and New Orleans second line thrown in, which historically represents Dizzy Gillespie's connection to the original Machito Afro Cubans. The best part about buying the CD is not only the big-band Afro Cuban jazz but the fact that part of the proceeds go to the Manhattan School of Music scholarship fund. This CD was critically acclaimed by the Jazz Press...no wonder it got the Latin Grammy nomination! If you want to see part of this CD concert, go to YouTube...there's a great clip. BRAVO, Maestro Sanabria and MSM Students!"
Incredible homage to a Latin jazz legend
Janis | 02/03/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kenya Revisted Live is a tribute and update of the Machito & the Afro-Cubans classic Latin jazz album, KENYA. Sanabria directs the Manhattan School of Music's Afro-Cuban jazz orchestra into one of the tightest big bands around today. The drumming and percussion are unbelievable; and it is hard to believe Cristian Syvlester Sands was only 19 years old when he performed that solo before "Tin Tin Deo." And of course there is the special treat of hearing conguero Cándido Camero as a guest on the album, since he was also on the original over 50 years ago. It is too bad the previous reviewer didn't find it "Latin" enough. This is not a salsa album, but an exciting, swinging, homage to the creators of Latin jazz, at the same tme bringing the genre into the 21st century."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1