One of the grand masters of the Latin jazz piano, Eddie Palmieri has had little new material, but more than makes up for it with this major release. Palmieri shows all the new kids in the Latin world just how it should be ... more »done with the energy and vitality of a teenager. In short, Rumbero del Piano kicks from start to finish as he rips into standards and original compositions. Somewhat the Afro Latin scholar, Palmieri has chosen his material carefully to include son montuno, bomba, and plena within the big band salsa lexicon. His piano solos, jagged slashes of color over rock steady rhythms, sear the paint off the walls in the process. Palmieri has never been in better form. --Derek Rath« less
One of the grand masters of the Latin jazz piano, Eddie Palmieri has had little new material, but more than makes up for it with this major release. Palmieri shows all the new kids in the Latin world just how it should be done with the energy and vitality of a teenager. In short, Rumbero del Piano kicks from start to finish as he rips into standards and original compositions. Somewhat the Afro Latin scholar, Palmieri has chosen his material carefully to include son montuno, bomba, and plena within the big band salsa lexicon. His piano solos, jagged slashes of color over rock steady rhythms, sear the paint off the walls in the process. Palmieri has never been in better form. --Derek Rath
"I'm African American from LA. I'm also a timbalero. I've spent some time New York in my life (Bronx, Brooklyn ). This album is must for percussionist and lovers of "Jazz Latino" and yes it's a staple for my collection. I practice to all numbers on this album and come off confident to play any gig!! What's unique is that Eddie pays homage to the sounds of the Bomba y Plena a dance found in Puerto Rico among Black Puerto Ricans(Cubans as well) I saw this in the pueblo called Loiza, Puerto Rico wile visting some friends. Eddie keeps it real. The brass and rythms sections are infectious as well as his piano playng!!. Eddie, I miss Charlie your brother along with "El Rey" Tito Puente!! hey folks order it you will not be disapointed!!! Thanks Amazon.com"
'Da Bomb!
terrance crawford | 08/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those who want a natural way to wake up each morning, this CD is the one. The songs are so intense that this is the first CD(and sometimes, the only one)that I listen to each day. Wichy(Camacho)and Herman(Olivera)help set the mood. Try "Cafe", "Donde Esta Mi Negra", and "Para Que Escuchen"."
Smashing Salsa Eddie's first in quite a while
terrance crawford | 04/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is full of Eddie Palmieri's great latin piano stylings. My favorite is the guajira "Cafe" he literally melts the CD with his playing. The bandmembers are also top notch."
El Rumbero del Piano... ¡Y no hay otro!
Leban J. Hyde | Kansas City, MO USA | 06/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I run in a small circle of salseros puros from many different generations. Ask any of them and they will tell you that Eddie Palmieri is the best. I can't forget Papo Luca, but that's a different review. You can't beat the old school classic salsa. That's plain and simple. But everything in context.
At the time this album came out, circa 1998, it was a breath of fresh air for all of us salsa aficionados. Musicians, dancers, aficionados alike. This album pays tribute to many roots of música latina. Not only the bomba and plena from Puerto Rico, but see also Malagueña Salerosa (previously of Los Panchos).
For everything this album is; arrangements, lyrical content, vocal guests, and, of course, Eddie; this is one of my all time favorite ablums in my collection - all genres included.
His best all time album? I don't know.
His best current album? Definitely."
Not his best, but a must purchase for his fans
Frank | NY United States | 12/10/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Eddie may never again achieve the pinnacle he attained in his days with Barry Rogers; nonetheless, this album is likely to please his fans. It certainly did this one. I think a notable point in the album is with the very first cut, Sube. After a rather pedestrian introduction, so typical of what passes for Salsa today, the orchestra is temporarily suspended while a piano montuno builds tension, signaling the transition to vintage New York Latin music. For the rest of the number, the veteran Salsa aficionado is on familiar ground and all is once more well with the Latin music scene."