Canadian soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett was grooving in Havana long before American listeners got hip to Buena Vista Social Club. With husband and trumpeter Larry Cramer and longtime cohorts pianist Hilario Duran, vocali... more »st-percussionist Ernesto "El Gato" Gatell, and legendary conguero Pancho Quinto, Ritmo and Soul follows in the folkloric footsteps of 1998's Chamalongo. Here the crew is augmented by several new additions. Singer Dean Bowman adds his towering Paul Robeson-like pipes to the santeria spiritual "The River/El Rio." Lucumi, a teenage Cuban percussion prodigy, and Najacko Backo, an African kalimba master, join for "Three Voices One Spirit" with Bowman and Quinto. Bunnett's snaky sax lines and feathery flute work ring on "Drume Negrita" and on the splendid original compositions "Hebioso," "Fransilo's Dream," "Santos Suarez," and the Cubano rap "Joyful Noise." --Eugene Holley Jr.« less
Canadian soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett was grooving in Havana long before American listeners got hip to Buena Vista Social Club. With husband and trumpeter Larry Cramer and longtime cohorts pianist Hilario Duran, vocalist-percussionist Ernesto "El Gato" Gatell, and legendary conguero Pancho Quinto, Ritmo and Soul follows in the folkloric footsteps of 1998's Chamalongo. Here the crew is augmented by several new additions. Singer Dean Bowman adds his towering Paul Robeson-like pipes to the santeria spiritual "The River/El Rio." Lucumi, a teenage Cuban percussion prodigy, and Najacko Backo, an African kalimba master, join for "Three Voices One Spirit" with Bowman and Quinto. Bunnett's snaky sax lines and feathery flute work ring on "Drume Negrita" and on the splendid original compositions "Hebioso," "Fransilo's Dream," "Santos Suarez," and the Cubano rap "Joyful Noise." --Eugene Holley Jr.
CD Reviews
A Musical Treasure
Shimon | Goldens Bridge, NY USA | 02/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jane Bunnett is no Kenny G. She's MUCH more dynamic, adventurous, interesting and entertaining. But the styles really aren't comparable. I only say that because they both play soprano saxophone.Jane has produced here, with Larry Cramer, an astonishingly colorful, multi-textured gem - a paradigm for the blending of Cuban folklore, jazz, gospel and other styles. And the blending is done in such a way that, when listening the first few times, the changes come unexpectedly, yet they really WORK! And the more you really LISTEN to this CD, the more you'll love it.In "Joyful Noise", the intro of the musicians greeting each other, followed by a Cuban verse, gives no hint of the "Cu-bop" to follow; sizzling solos on flute (Jane), muted trumpet (Larry), piano (the outstanding Hilario Duran) and bass (Roberto Occhipinti) - this one is guaranteed to get you moving. In "Drume Negrita", Jane invokes a tropical island feeling on soprano sax before Ernesto Gatell complements it with a plaintive Spanish verse.Comparing "Ritmo+Soul" with "Spirits of Havana", I would say this one is somewhat more accessible if you prefer Latin instrumentals to folkloric music. But the various styles on this CD are represented so well and with such fine balance, it may be surprising how many people with different tastes in music could grow to love this album.Considering the recording quality, the inside notes on the music and the artists, this one comes as close to perfection as you can get."
SO FAR.....BEST OF THE YEAR
Lawrence | Albany NY | 05/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This disc is beautiful from start to finish!Jane Bunnett's soprano sax and flute are melodic and fiery.Combines the best of cuban sound ,(check out the Bata drums of (Pancho Quinto) or piano master Hilario Duran..The voice of Dean bowman adds another ,almost gospel feel. Anyway,the tunes are fresh,something special ...PICK IT UP>"
A fabulous piece of work!
Larry G. | 05/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As my good friend "shimondi" has stated, "Jane Bunnett is no Kenny G"! Damn straight she isn't!I wasn't sure what to expect when he recommended this CD to me. I was NOT disappointed at all! What great sounds come from this gathering of musicians. I was pleasantly surprised at the range and dynamics of the music. Being a novice jazz fan, I was moved by the sheer genius of the way the songs were put together using what seems at first to be just dissonant musical tracks blended together to make "something". WRONG! They know EXACTLY what they are doing. A beautiful mixture of Latin beat and Jazz funk with a touch of booty movement makes for a wonderful listening experience.I had the volume jacked all the way up and still couldn't get enough. Well worth every centavos and absolutely damn near close to perfection as you could get.Just buy it already! :-)"
Jane Bunnet - Cuban rhythms + Soul + Jazz = Great music!
Thomas Pena | Brooklyn, NY USA | 07/14/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have been following Jane Bunnet's career for some time and have always admired her adventurous spirit. She ventures in and out of musical genres effortlessly and never fails to surprise and amaze.Consider her latest effort. There are Cuban rhythms, the music of Santeria, Jazz licks, Soul music and even a gospel (religious) feel to some of the tracks. Sounds odd in theory, but it all works beautifully in practice. I am particularly fond of Santos Suarez, Joyful Noise and Drume Negrita (a Cuban classic.)In my opinion, this is Jane's best effort to date. She seems to have found the perfect combination of musicians and material to showcase her flute playing and her eclectic band.A word of caution. Jane Bunnet is a musical chameleon who is constantly on the move. Do not try to figure her out or pin her down, just travel along with Jane and enjoy the journey. Check out Jane Bunnet and The Spirits of Havana - Rhythmo + Soul and you will see (and hear) what I mean. Simply put, no matter what the genre, Jane rocks. Enjoy!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1