Search - Francisco Aguabella :: Cubacan

One of the greatest Afro-Latin-jazz discs ever

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 12/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes a recording exceeds all expectations. This is one of those times. An Amazon friend suggested I check out Francisco Aguabella after I pronounced Chucho Valdes's New Conceptions the best Latin disc ever. I had never heard (of) Aguabella. Now, I pride myself in being conversant in a wide variety of jazz musics, Latin jazz being one of them. But one can't know everything.So when opportunity presented itself, I picked up this disc. And was promptly blown away. I might even have to reconsider my view that Valdes's New Conceptions is the best ever Latin jazz disc. (Just to be fair, I did go back and listen again to New Conceptions. Despite the undeniable greatness of Cubacan, my assesment of New Conceptions as the greatest Latin jazz disc stands. Which, nevertheless, takes nothing away from the greatness of Cubacan, probably the SECOND greatest Latin jazz disc ever.)Because this outing is nothing short of show-stopping. There's a rhythmic depth and crispness all over this disc that your average jazzer would kill for. It happens at all tempos and over the complete panoply of Latinesque rhythmic endeavor. A friend of every important figure in Latin jazz from Willie Bobo to Tito Puente, Francisco Aguabella defines an entire generation of Latin jazz. Not only a percussion genius, Aguabella is an innovator. For example, he introduced the bata drum into mainstream Latin jazz, an instrument that up till then had been relegated to nativist Afro-Latin religious music. Moreover, he is a consummate arranger. Asking and getting a kind of brinksmanship seldom found in traditionalist Latin jazz settings, he stamps these proceedings with a bottom-line ritmo precision never before achieved by Latin jazz practioners.Not to be missed by anyone who has the slightest inclination toward this transcendent music."

Afro-Cuban + Yoruba + Son

VPerry_co_dutchess | 09/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cubacan shows off the master percussionist: Francisco Aguabella. This will appeal to jazz enthusiasts who want a Latin twist. I am reminded of Astor Piazzolla's fusion of tango and jazz. However, this is more straight-forward, danceable, less ambiguous. More jazz, less swing than the classic Patato.
Top musicians keep this interesting - also a good balance of pure instrumental with some vocals.
It's too bad the selected sound clips don't let you sample track 5. "Aqua Limpia Todo" has a scorching percussion solo - like being at the center of a divine big bang.
Also, just about everything from the Ubiquity/Cubop label is great. Check out John Santos and Bobby Matos."