Search - Poncho Sanchez :: Familia

It's A Family Thing

Roy W. Daniels | San Leandro, California United States | 03/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Poncho Sanchez band is and has always been like a family. This album, called La Familia, exemplifies that feeling. The band is so "tight" you'd think they grew up together. Well, many of them did grow up together. That's why they interact so intuitively. La Familia features some standards like Well, You Needn't and the medly of Mambo Inn/Green Dolphin Street, both refreshing takes on great old songs. The tune Campechana, named after a drink the band enjoys, is like the drink, smooth with a little kick to it, and features nice work from the trumpeter Sal Cracchiolo. El Conguero is for the man himself, El Conguero - Poncho Sanchez and grooves start to finish. Cuidate Compai has a great (of all things) cowbell solo from Poncho. The rhythm section of this band is unparalleled, and on this song, they get a groove going and I can't wait to hear the next strike of the cowbell...really! Senegal features the "rain-stick" an instrument from Senegal. Mambo Pa "T" features the rhythm section with Tito Puente. The Johnny Mandel classic "A Time For Love" features great work from saxophonist Gary Foster, where Bassist Tony Banda said that there was a tear in his eye at the end of the recording in the studio, it was so beautiful. They close with a funky version of "Let A Woman Be A Woman, Let A Man Be A Man" - Groovin' Highly recommended along with all of his other albums."